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
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
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.
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.
George P
VerifiedApril 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
This is a great location for a youth camping trip with a wooded feel, yet close to the city.
George P
VerifiedApril 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
This is a great location for a youth camping trip with a wooded feel, yet close to the city.
Nolan M
VerifiedMarch 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Plenty of room in Campsite 1. One picnic table in this campsite needs a new tabletop board (existing board is broken off at the steel support).
Nolan M
VerifiedMarch 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Plenty of room in Campsite 1. One picnic table in this campsite needs a new tabletop board (existing board is broken off at the steel support).
Brendan M
VerifiedMarch 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Our Scout group was very happy with this site. Great access to trails, hiking, scrambling, etc. Clean campground, drop off spot on the road is only 1/4 mile away, or a totally walkable mile or so to the overnight parking spot. Each site had multiple bbqs with grills, and fire pits. Well laid out and spacious. Tons of wildlife (although we were perplexed as to why there was a deer feeder in the back part of our site- probably should have been moved just a bit....) Will certainly go back again.
Brendan M
VerifiedMarch 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Our Scout group was very happy with this site. Great access to trails, hiking, scrambling, etc. Clean campground, drop off spot on the road is only 1/4 mile away, or a totally walkable mile or so to the overnight parking spot. Each site had multiple bbqs with grills, and fire pits. Well laid out and spacious. Tons of wildlife (although we were perplexed as to why there was a deer feeder in the back part of our site- probably should have been moved just a bit....) Will certainly go back again.
Chelsea P
VerifiedOctober 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
No parking and a hike to site. Copperhead snakes present in the area with rabid animals as well.
Chelsea P
VerifiedOctober 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Marsden Tract Group Campsite
No parking and a hike to site. Copperhead snakes present in the area with rabid animals as well.
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