About Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Number of accommodations: 6
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Fishing
Hiking
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
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Reviews (88)
What Guests Are Saying
Marsden Tract Group Campsite offers a well-separated and clean site with ample firewood and nearby porta potties. While the steep hill for unloading can be challenging and water was unavailable in early April, the campsite is easily accessible and provides various activities like fishing and hiking. Overall, it’s a comfortable and enjoyable location for group camping experiences.
What Guests Are Saying
Marsden Tract Group Campsite offers a well-separated and clean site with ample firewood and nearby porta potties. While the steep hill for unloading can be challenging and water was unavailable in early April, the campsite is easily accessible and provides various activities like fishing and hiking. Overall, it’s a comfortable and enjoyable location for group camping experiences.
Review Summary
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 38.9787 / -77.2161
Elevation: 46 feet
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: June 4, 2026
