About Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Number of accommodations: 6
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2026 Season availability
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Reviews (43)
Review Summary
Joe M
VerifiedJuly 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
It's a great simple site. We were cycling the C&O canal and found the site very convenient to use.
We also met the ranger who was very helpful giving us general tips for our stay.
Samuel K
VerifiedMarch 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Campsite was spacious. Only issue is parking and getting everything to the campsite. We parked by Old Angler's Inn, but spots were very scarce with day parkers and no specific parking area for overnighters.
mitch e
VerifiedNovember 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
This was a gorgeous camp site/experience.
I should have read more about the parking situation; which ngl sucked pretty hard because i didnt come prepared w a cart to shuttle my things from the "trail drop off" about 1/4-1/3 of a mile to the site.
It was a steap hill at first headed there. Then, once i was done loading things, i had to park what must be an actual mile or so from the "trail drop off" -where u are not allowed to park. So, that was also a bit of a drag. I should have been more prepared or picked a different spot for my needs.
But, the view on campsite #3 is absolutely incredible- (or is it a make shift spot closest and somewhat connected to #??? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ). slept and had a nice camp fire dinner at the head of a cliff overlooking the potomac river. It made the juice worth the arduous squeeze.
Also on my firat walk to the site i was greeted by a big blue heron on my right and what was either an otter or a beaver by the way it swam, but it quickly dove down near the tree line so i did not get the best look. So great.
I will also say it does kind of feel like ur camping on some really gorgous suburbs. Because you are. There's houses and lots of civilization nearby- the grocery/hardware store is 8 min drive away.
Perhaps ideal for the itinerate cyclist or backpacker passing through.
I didnt explore much i just passed through as a stop along a longer drive down south in november.
Brian H
VerifiedOctober 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Perfect group campsite, close to great falls hike, had a great time!
Paul B
VerifiedSeptember 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
good site
Mariia N
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
In the very beginning I should say that place is beautiful: forest and river, birds and animals. Also location is very good to reach attractions of the town. But I never expected the condition of the bathroom! Dirty, never cleaned, full of excrement! No paper, soap or water. We came 9/01 it was sighted that facility was checked on the 8/22. On 9/03 new sight says about checking on the 9/01. Of cause it was not true. No shower was there only one cold water column. The second big surprise was that we could not reach out our camping place even they told us what clearance should have our car. We needed to bring all our stuff from the parking place to the island. No electricity at all. Please take these circumstances into account when you travel especially with children.
Sara H
VerifiedAugust 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Very nice camp sight. Comfortable and good location. The water was not as close as I thought (or I just couldn’t find it).
Michael P
VerifiedJune 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Lovely campsite, great experience.
C G
VerifiedJune 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
We did not love camping here; it was a less than stellar experience.
The parking lot was far from our campsite and we didn’t feel we’d been adequately warned of this situation before showing up.
Also, there was no ranger or park authority on site to encourage campers to follow campsite rules (like quiet hours), so we were got very little sleep due to our extremely noisy neighbors who were partying loudly until after 2am.
Brad K
VerifiedApril 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Great spot for kids: 1 mile walk from parking, flat open ground, and fire pits. Right off the canal, so fishing too.
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. |
