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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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
