Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates6 total sites
Tent Sites
6 sites
About Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Number of accommodations: 6
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Fishing
Hiking
Paddling
Year-round
Fishing
Hiking
Spring
Paddling
Summer
Paddling
Fall
Paddling
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Parking
Pet friendly
Cooking and Fire
- Campfire Ring
- Firewood Available
Parking and Transport
- Parking
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Rates, Sites & Availability
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Reviews (93)
What Guests Are Saying
Marsden Tract Group Campsite is a beautiful, shaded campground close to D.C., making it a great spot for events like Independence Day fireworks. While the site requires a bit of effort to transport gear due to the hill and lack of nearby restrooms, many visitors appreciated the clean facilities and availability of firewood. The area offers various activities such as fishing and hiking, making it a popular choice for groups and families.
What Guests Are Saying
Marsden Tract Group Campsite is a beautiful, shaded campground close to D.C., making it a great spot for events like Independence Day fireworks. While the site requires a bit of effort to transport gear due to the hill and lack of nearby restrooms, many visitors appreciated the clean facilities and availability of firewood. The area offers various activities such as fishing and hiking, making it a popular choice for groups and families.
Review Summary
Julie B
VerifiedJuly 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
It was a beautiful campground right next to D.C. We stayed for Independence Day Fireworks and it was a great way to see them and save money. The campground had lots of shade. It was about a 20 yard walk to the campsite from the drop off spot, where about 4 cars can fit at a time. There is also a small hill. So you have to carry all your camp gear in and out.
There were no toilets in the campground, they are a mile away in the parking area.
If you camp here you need to be fit! It wore me out to carry stuff back and forth especially in the heat, but with my husband and teen son carrying the heavy stuff we were able to manage!
Noe F
VerifiedJuly 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Loved the location. The tree coverage was so thick that even when it rained, our tents didn’t get wet much. We were there in June, and still felt cool under the trees.
Marty v
VerifiedJune 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
It was horrible and a waste of money I can’t even get back I couldn’t find the site no y was available to call or help the security didn’t know anything I called the park rangers no help had to get a hotel and drive back 3 hours home high unsatisfied and wasted money definitely trying to get a refund
Amanda M
VerifiedApril 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Great, nicely separated site with plenty of fallen trees to use for fire wood. Porta potties were clean and close enough. The car parking spot a the top of the hill to unload your stuff was close, but that hill is no joke. If I did not have a cooler with wheels and a wheeled wagon to transport my supplies, I actually may have reconsidered and gone home. The water was not yet turned on as I went in early April, but the weather was great and the C&O tow path had lots of foot/bike traffic, but were not a noise issue.
Amanda M
VerifiedApril 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Great, nicely separated site with plenty of fallen trees to use for fire wood. Porta potties were clean and close enough. The car parking spot a the top of the hill to unload your stuff was close, but that hill is no joke. If I did not have a cooler with wheels and a wheeled wagon to transport my supplies, I actually may have reconsidered and gone home. The water was not yet turned on as I went in early April, but the weather was great and the C&O tow path had lots of foot/bike traffic, but were not a noise issue.
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.
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
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.
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
Marsden Tract Group Campsite is accessible via I-495 (Capital Beltway) and the Clara Barton Parkway. The campground is located approximately 1 mile from the Clara Barton Parkway's Carderock exit.
Elevation: 46 feet
67 mi drive to downtown Williamsport (about 1 hr 7 min)
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
1PM
Check out time
12PM
- You can arrive anytime after check-in time with proof of your reservation, but there is no staff on-site.
- For squatters or emergencies, contact the National Capital Region Communications Center.
Vehicles & parking
- Overnight parking is allowed only in designated areas and is not permitted in the temporary stopping area.
Fires & fuel
- Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings and must be fully extinguished before leaving.
- Cutting live plants is prohibited; you may use fallen timber for firewood and bring dried wood, but chainsaws are not allowed.
Safety & rules
- Quiet hours must be observed at the campsite.
- All trash must be removed by visitors; no trashcans are provided.
- Swimming and wading in the Potomac River and C&O Canal are prohibited due to safety concerns.
Local regulations
- Alcohol and marijuana are prohibited at the campsite.
Pets
- Pets must be leashed and their waste must be removed by owners.
Utilities
- Water from the hand pump well is available from April 15 to October 31; bring your own water from November 1 to April 14.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: September 9, 2026
