Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-251544
When Marsden Tract Group Campsite reopens
Marsden Tract Group Campsite's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
4
Openings · last 90 days
4
Only 4 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027 · of 6 monitored sites
Of the 1,098 tracked site-nights (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 1,012 open for online reservation · 86 reserved.
Where the open windows are
7.8% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 1,012 of 1,098 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027Not open online7.8%
Open site-nights1,012 / 1,098
Reserved (of online inventory)86 / 1,098
Weekday openings616
Weekend openings396
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 616 fall on weekdays and 396 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Mar 2027December holds the most room. 186 of 186 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 6 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 5 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 5 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 5 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 6 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 6 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 6 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 6 | Open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night. Thanksgiving: 5 sites are available for the complete three-night stay. Christmas: 6 sites are available for the complete two-night stay. New Year: 6 sites are available for the complete two-night stay.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 004 | 171 |
| 001 | 169 |
| 005 | 169 |
| 003 | 168 |
| 006 | 168 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateFri · Sep 18
Next open weekendFri · Sep 18
The next bookable night is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
1,012 open site-nights across 6 sites at Marsden Tract Group Campsite, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 44 2-night, 43 3-night, 17 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 20 at site 004.
All 6 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 004 | Not recorded | None | 171 | 125 nights | Sep 18, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2 +159 more |
| 001 | Not recorded | None | 169 | 125 nights | Sep 18, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6 +157 more |
| 005 | Not recorded | None | 169 | 125 nights | Sep 18, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4 +157 more |
| 003 | Not recorded | None | 168 | 125 nights | Sep 18, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3, Oct 4 +156 more |
| 006 | Not recorded | None | 168 | 103 nights | Sep 18, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3 +156 more |
| 002 | Not recorded | None | 167 | 125 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3, Oct 4, Oct 5 +155 more |
About Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Overview
Scouts built the Marsden Tract Group Campground to provide access to larger campsites within easy commuting distance of the D.C. Metro area. 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. Fishing, rock climbing, paddling and hiking are but a few possibilities while staying at Marsden Tract. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Recreation
The most popular activity for Marsden Tract campers is hiking the three sections (A, B and C) of the Billy Goat Trail, one of the most popular and challenging rock hikes in the east. There are also many woodland trails for beginners and experts alike. Fishing is also a popular pastime in both the C&O Canal and the Potomac River. Be sure to acquire a Maryland fishing license for those age 16 or older. Virginia licenses are approved for fishing in the Potomac only.
Facilities
The campground has six group campsites; all will accommodate up to 30 campers at each site. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. Potable water is located a short walk up the towpath and across the footbridge heading towards MacArthur Blvd (water may not be available during cold winter months). Portable toilets are located near Campsite 1.
No vehicle traffic is allowed on the towpath and access to the campsites is by foot only.
Carderock Recreation Area or Angler's Inn are the two closest parking areas. Each is a one-mile walk respectively. There are flush toilets located at the Angler's parking area. 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.
Natural Features
Marsden Tract Group Campsite is just south of the Great Falls of the Potomac and Mather Gorge. These two stunning features provide an excellent example of local geology while showing the sheer force and power of nature.
Nearby Attractions
Marsden Tract Group Campsite is located about 14 miles (22.5 km) outside of Washington, D.C., providing affordable camping near the nation's capital. Many campers will base out of Marsden to see the sites such as the Smithsonian Institution, National Mall, Capitol and The White House.
6 monitored sitesNo hookups6 shadedWaterfrontRiverfrontPets OKFire pitsMax party 30
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 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
142 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD 21795
BikingCampingHiking
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-251544 · facility
Photo gallery
Roll CS-251544 · Marsden Tract Group Campsite · Williamsport MD12 frames · facility
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Marsden Tract Group Campsite?
Reservations for Marsden Tract Group Campsite are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 1,012 of 1,098 tracked site-nights are open (92.2%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 4 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Marsden Tract Group Campsite?
Campsite Sniper detected 4 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Marsden Tract Group Campsite?
43 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Sep 20 at site 004. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which month has the most availability at Marsden Tract Group Campsite?
December 2026, with 186 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 186.
When is the next open date at Marsden Tract Group Campsite?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Sep 18 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 18. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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