Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — riverside, hiking
Location: Williamsport, MD, MD
Price: From $20 per night
Rating: 3.8 out of 5 (44 reviews)
Season: May through October
Scouts built the Marsden Tract Group Campground to provide access to larger campsites within easy commuting distance of the D.C. It is located at Mile 11.5 on the C&O Canal Towpath, between the Carderock Recreation Area and the historic Old Anglers Inn (private). The group campsites are nestled in the woods between the Canal and the Potomac River and they are a short distance from many recreational opportunities.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/marsden-tract-group-campsite to be notified when sites open up.
Affordable group campsite ($40/night) with large sites nestled in woods between the C&O Canal and Potomac River, offering easy access to hiking, biking, and paddling within 10 miles of DC.
Wildlife alert: Eastern Copperhead snakes present in area; also expect raccoons, various bird species including Eastern Bluebird and Hooded Merganser
Insider tips for Marsden Tract Group Campsite: Sites 1, 2, 3 are left of the footbridge; sites 4, 5, 6 are right and closer to bridge All campsites have bike racks Park at Carderock Recreation Area for slightly closer walk to campsite via towpath Book early as this is a federal campground with high demand
Skip Marsden Tract Group Campsite if: Light sleeper — expect nighttime noise from airplanes, helicopters, car traffic, geese, and owls. Need hookups — no hookups available at sites. Prefer year-round camping — seasonal operations only May through October.
Best time to visit Marsden Tract Group Campsite: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion (Williamsport, MD), Rock Creek Park Group Picnic Areas (Dc) (Washington, DI), Fort Dupont Park Picnic Areas (Washington, DI), Greenbelt Campground (GREENBELT, MD).
Cell Phone Coverage at Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Cell signal at Marsden Tract Group Campsite (Williamsport, MD): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Scouts built the Marsden Tract Group Campground to provide access to larger campsites within easy commuting distance of the D.C. It is located at Mile 11.5 on the C&O Canal Towpath, between the Carderock Recreation Area and the historic Old Anglers Inn (private). The group campsites are nestled in the woods between the Canal and the Potomac River and they are a short distance from many recreational opportunities.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entrySites 1, 2, 3 are left of the footbridge; sites 4, 5, 6 are right and closer to bridge
All campsites have bike racks
Park at Carderock Recreation Area for slightly closer walk to campsite via towpath
Book early as this is a federal campground with high demand
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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 MacAr
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Marsden Tract Group Campsite cost per night?+
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●Data sources on this page
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