About Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Number of accommodations: 6
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
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Reviews (43)
Review Summary
Myagmarsuren S
VerifiedJanuary 25, 2026 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
This place don’t have a parking lot or proper direction no electricity no restroom no drinking water and nothing so far. It’s me this place is terrible.
Thomas B
VerifiedApril 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Easy to get to, lots of activities (fishing, hiking), yet secluded
Bruce H
VerifiedApril 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Brought a Scout crew on a practice backpacking campout. This trip turned out to be a good choice for a first shakedown. The campsite was comfortable for our group size.
Joe M
VerifiedMarch 30, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
John O
VerifiedNovember 24, 2024 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
The site was clean and in good condition. Our scout troop hikes the Billy Goat Trail and the Canal. The boys enjoyed the challenge.
Minh H
VerifiedOctober 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
None
Robert S
VerifiedMay 12, 2024 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
The tow path between the Carderock parking lot and the campsite was closed with a detour. It might be worth noting when sending the confirmation. Glad to see the portable toilets back at the campsite rather than across the bridge and near the road.
Greg P
VerifiedApril 28, 2024 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Good location for Scouts camping with actives along the C&O towpath, including hiking along the Billy Goat trails, bike riding along the C&O towpath and listing the Great Falls of the Potomac.
Patrick R
VerifiedOctober 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Stayed in mid-October. The main issue we had was a lack of communication and lack of details. Reserved two group camp sites at Marsden Tract and came across several unexpected issues. 1) Parking was available at Carderock BUT there was construction along the Canal and the construction workers yelled at some of our parents for taking the direct route to the camp site. The alternate path tripped the transit time which made it challenging to get supplies to camp. We were never told about the construction. 2) Billy Goat trail in that area largely unavailable due to renovation. We were never told about that. 3) We had to hike around for a long time to find the port a pots which were very dirty. 4) one of the sites was pretty overgrown and couldn’t accommodate the advertised 30 campers.
Good location and manageable with better and more timely information.
Sarah H
VerifiedAugust 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
No site markings on entrance but there are separate entrances for each grouping of 3 sites.
Location Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Address:
142 W. Potomac St.
Williamsport, MD, 21795
United States
You may park at either the Carderock Recreation Area or the gravel lots across from the Anglers Inn Restaurant. We recommend Carderock as it is slightly closer to walk the towpath to the campsite from there. Search "Billy Goat Trail C - North Parking Lot" on Google Maps for the best directions.
From I-495 in Maryland: 1. Take Exit 41 toward Carderock/Great Falls. 2. Merge onto the Clara Barton Pkwy and continue 1 mile to the Carderock exit (on the right is the David Taylor Model Basin-9500 MacArthur Blvd., West Bethesda, MD 20817). 3. Take the Carderock exit and at the stop sign, turn left to cross over the Clara Barton Pkwy. Follow the road until you reach a second stop sign. 4. Turn right and continue to the end of the road at Lot 4. Take the short walking path to the canal. Turn upstream and hike about a 1/2 mile.
From I-495 in Virginia: 1. Take Exit 41 (Carderock/Glen Echo) from the American Legion Bridge and at the fork, bear left toward Great Falls/Carderock. 2. Merge onto the Clara Barton Pkwy and continue 1 mile to the Carderock exit (on the right is the David Taylor Model Basin 9500 MacArthur Blvd., West Bethesda, MD 20817). 3. Take the Carderock exit and at the stop sign, turn left to cross over the Clara Barton Pkwy. Follow the road until you reach a second stop sign. 4. Turn right and continue to the end of the road at Lot 4. Take the short walking path to the canal. Turn upstream and hike about a 1/2 mile.
From Washington (Georgetown): 1. From the intersection of Street and Key Bridge, go west for approximately .5 miles and bear left onto Canal Road. 2. Stay straight on Canal Road which turns into the Clara Barton Pkwy and follow the Clara Barton Pkwy for approximately 9 miles to the Carderock exit (on the right is the David Taylor Model Basin -9500 MacArthur Blvd., West Bethesda, MD 20817). 3. Take the Carderock exit and at the stop sign, turn left to cross over the Clara Barton Pkwy. Follow the road until you reach a second stop sign. 4. Turn right and continue to the end of the road at Lot 4. Take the short walking path to the canal. Turn upstream and hike about a 1/2 mile.
Directions from I-270 on reverse side. From I-270: 1. Take I-270 South toward Washington. 2. Keep right to take I-270 Spur South toward I-270/Washington/I-495 /Northern Virginia. 3. I-270 Spur South becomes I-495 South/Capital Beltway. 4. Take Exit 41 toward Carderock/Great Falls. 5. Merge onto the Clara Barton Pkwy and continue 1 mile to the Carderock exit (on the right is the David Taylor Model Basin 9500 MacArthur Blvd., West Bethesda, MD 20817). 6. Take the Carderock exit and at the stop sign, turn left to cross over the Clara Barton Pkwy. Follow the road until you reach a second stop sign. 7. Turn right and continue to the end of the road at Lot 4. Take the short walking path to the canal. Turn upstream and hike about a 1/2 mile. Park Emergencies: (866) 677-6677 or 911
Latitude & Longitude: 38.9787 / -77.2161
Elevation: 46 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Parking and Access. Overnight parking is allowed only at the Carderock Recreation Area and the parking lot across from the Angler's Inn. Both parking lots are a one-mile (1.6 km) walk respectively. There is a temporary stopping area on MacArthur Blvd near the intersection of Brickyard Rd. This area may be used to off-load gear and be walked down the hill. However, overnight parking in this area is not permitted. |
| General |
Check-in. You may arrive anytime after check-in time (1:00 pm) regardless of light conditions. There is no campsite host or staff. Just have a copy of your confirmation email available on a phone or printed. If someone is squatting in your campsite and you need law enforcement assistance please call US Park Police - (202) 610-7500. Check-out. Check out time is 12:00 noon ET the day after the reservation. |
| General |
Campfires. Fires are permitted only in established fire rings. Please ensure that your fire is extinguished completely each time you leave the area. |
| General |
Firewood. The cutting or defacing of any live growth is strictly prohibited. Kiln fired or dried wood may be brought into the park. Fallen dead timber in the park may be used for on-site firewood. Bring handsaws to cut fallen wood. Chainsaws are prohibited. Park Rangers reserve the right to ban all fires during periods of drought. |
| General |
Quiet Hours. Please observe quiet hours between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. |
| General |
No Alcohol or Marijuana. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Marijuana is illegal on federal property. |
| General |
Pets. Pets are allowed in the campgrounds. They must be restrained by a 6 ft. leash at all times and their waste must be picked up and taken with the owner. |
| General |
Remove All Trash. The park is a 'Trash Free Park' and trashcans are not provided. Trash must be picked up and the area left in a clean condition before the group departs. Bring trash bags. |
| General |
No Swimming. Swimming and/or wading in the Potomac River or the C&O Canal is extremely dangerous and prohibited by law in this area of the park. |
| General |
Water. The hand pump well is turned on April 15 - October 31 and located up the towpath and across the bridge towards MacArthur Blvd. Please bring water for use if camping between November 1 - April 14. Portable toilets are located near Campsite 1. |
| General |
Emergencies. If someone is "squatting" in the campsite OR for emergencies, please call the National Capital Region Communications Center at 1-866-677-6677. |
