Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-251545
When Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion reopens
Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
0
Openings · last 90 days
2
Only 2 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 1 monitored site
Of the 183 tracked reservation dates (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 158 open for online reservation · 25 reserved.
Where the open windows are
13.7% of tracked reservation dates are not currently open for online reservation. 158 of 183 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027Not open online13.7%
Open reservation dates158 / 183
Reserved (of online inventory)25 / 183
Weekday openings95
Weekend openings63
Of the open reservation dates on mapped day-use units, 95 fall on weekdays and 63 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Mar 2027December holds the most room. 31 of 31 reservation dates are still open there.
Holiday windows — day use
Units open per date · of 1 day-use unit| Window | Date | Units 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 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 1 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 1 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 1 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 1 | Open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked date. Thanksgiving: 1 day-use unit is available for all three dates. Christmas: 1 day-use unit is available for both dates. New Year: 1 day-use unit is available for both dates.
Availability by day-use unit
Most open reservation dates · tracked window| Unit | Open reservation dates |
|---|---|
| Carderock Picnic Pavilion | 158 |
This day-use unit currently has 158 reservation dates available.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateFri · Sep 18
Next open weekendFri · Sep 18
The next bookable date is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Reservation dates
158 available reservation dates across 1 day-use unit at Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
All 1 day-use unit with current availability
| Unit | Open reservation dates | Consecutive dates | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carderock Picnic Pavilion | 158 | 125 dates | Sep 18, Sep 24, Sep 28, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 9, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 16 +146 more |
About Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion
Overview
The picnic pavilion at the Carderock Recreation Area is a large covered pavilion, open on three sides, that accommodates a maximum of 200 people. Convenient and ample parking is available for all attending your event as there are four parking lots. The pavilion is located between parking lots 1 and 2. Both flush toilet facilities are closed for emergency repair. Portable toilets are located in parking lots 2 and 4.
Recreation
The most popular activity for Carderock Pavilion attendees 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
There are picnic tables in or around the pavilion and electricity (four 110-volt outlets) is available for your use. There are two large grills outside the pavilion and a large fireplace within the pavilion. Water and portable toilets are located nearby. There is a softball field and an area for volleyball or relay games. Horseshoe pits are near the front of the pavilion. All are for your use during your event. You must provide the sports equipment, though poles are provided for volleyball or badminton.
Natural Features
Carderock Paviion 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
The Billy Goat Trail is one of the most popular and challenging rock hikes in the east. The Great Falls Overlook and Great Falls Tavern are a few miles upriver.
1 monitored unitDay use1 shadedPets OKMax party 200
Getting there
Carderock Pavilion has no street address. Search Carderock Recreation Area with Google Maps, use GPS coordinates 38° 58' 18.0001" N 77° 11' 58.9999" W, OR follow these 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 Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center 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 left for parking lot 1 or turn right for parking lot 2 and the restrooms. (The pavilion is located between parking lots 1 and 2.) 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 Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center 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 left for parking lot 1 or turn right for parking lot 2 and the restrooms. (The pavilion is located between parking lots 1 and 2.) From Washington DC (Georgetown): 1. From the intersection of "M" 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 Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center 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 left for parking lot 1 or turn right for parking lot 2 and the restrooms. (The pavilion is located between parking lots 1 and 2.) Directions 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 Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center 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 left for parking lot 1 or turn right for parking lot 2 and the restrooms. (The pavilion is located between parking lots 1 and 2.)
142 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD 21795
CampingFishingHiking
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-251545 · facility
Photo gallery
Roll CS-251545 · Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion · Williamsport MD6 frames · facility
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion?
Reservations for Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 158 of 183 tracked reservation dates are open (86.3%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 2 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick the unit on the map to see its reservation calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this facility 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 Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion?
Campsite Sniper detected 2 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.
Which month has the most availability at Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion?
December 2026, with 31 open reservation dates in the current snapshot of 31.
When is the next open date at Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion?
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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