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. Both flush toilet facilities are closed for emergency repair. Portable toilets located in the parking area.

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.

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. Billy Goat Trail Section B is temporarily closed. 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.

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.

Contact Info

Important Notices

• During Peak Season, reserve Carderock Pavilion for $250 per day plus an additional $100 for a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

  During Non-Peak Season, reserve the Carderock Pavilion for $125/day plus an additional $50 for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

• Alcohol Rules: Beer and wine only are permitted, in unbreakable containers (e.g. plastic cups or aluminum cans).

• Carry Out all Trash. C&O Canal is a Trash Free Park. Be prepared with trash bags to remove any waste and recyclables as cans are not provided. The area must be left in a clean condition before departure.

• Sunrise to Sunset Only. This permit is for use of the pavilion between sunrise and sunset only. Be aware that the restrooms adjacent to the pavilion may not be cleaned until at least 10:00 a.m. the day of your event.

• Catering. Catering is permitted. However, no vehicle access will be provided to the pavilion. Caterers must be able to operate without running a generator or vehicle. The use of portable gas equipment is allowed.

• Signs and Decorations. Contact the park for permission to post signs or banners on the roadways. Decorations may be hung in the pavilion provided that only tape is used and it is removed following the event.

• Music and Amplification. Acoustic instruments and music may be played. Any volume amplification must be at a sound level that does not carry beyond the pavilion or interfere with the use of the area by other park visitors.

• No vending, gambling, raffles or collection of fees. None of these activities is allowed on park property.

• No amusement type rides and/or generators. For example, moon bounces, bouncy houses, pony rides, dunk tanks, etc. are prohibited.

• Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.

• Emergencies. If you have an emergency, please call National Capital Region Communications Center 1-866-677-6677.

Available Activities

• HIKING - Hiking
• FISHING - Fishing
• CAMPING - Camping

Directions

<p>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:.</p><ul><li><p><strong>From I-495 in Maryland:</strong> 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 left for parking lot "A" or turn right for parking lot "B" and the restrooms. (The pavilion is located between the two parking lots.)</p></li><li><p><strong>From I-495 in Virginia: </strong>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 left for parking lot "A" or turn right for parking lot "B" and the restrooms. (The pavilion is located between the two parking lots.)</p></li><li><p><strong>From Washington DC (Georgetown):</strong> 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 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 left for parking lot "A" or turn right for parking lot "B" and the restrooms. (The pavilion is located between the two parking lots.)</p></li><li><p><strong>Directions from I-270. </strong>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 left for parking lot "A" or turn right for parking lot "B" and the restrooms. (The pavilion is located between the two parking lots.)</p></li></ul>

Contact Information

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip