Campsite Odds

Booking odds · May

Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion in May: How Hard Is It to Book?

Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion · MD · Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

The verdict

Lottery-hard

Booking difficulty 10 out of 10. Gone within minutes of release. Bring a plan B.

Sells out in daysBased on 3 years of reservation data

Popular May dates usually sell out within a few days of release.

Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion in May scores 10 out of 10 for booking difficulty — lottery-hard. Gone within minutes of release. Bring a plan B.

Across the last 3 years of reservation history, the typical May booking was locked in about 108 days before arrival, with the campground running roughly 68% full that month. The lightest arrival day is Tuesday, so shifting to a midweek start is the single easiest way to improve your odds.

Lead time

How far ahead people book

Same day: 0% of bookingsSame day1–3d: 0% of bookings1–3d4–7d: 0% of bookings4–7d1–2wk: 0% of bookings1–2wk2–4wk: 6% of bookings6%2–4wk1–2mo: 16% of bookings16%1–2mo2–3mo: 15% of bookings15%2–3mo3–6mo: 31% of bookings31%3–6mo6mo+: 32% of bookings32%6mo+Median booking lead time: 108 days ahead
Demand split

Weekend vs. weekday demand

Weekend (Fri–Sat)Weekday (Sun–Thu)

Best odds: arrivals are lightest on Tuesday in May. A midweek arrival is your easiest booking.

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Booking window · May 2027

When May reservations open

Reservations for Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion in May 2027 operate on a rolling 6-month window releasing at 7:00 AM ET.

May 1 stays open

November 1, 2026

at 7:00 AM ET

Release style

6-Month Rolling Window

Releases daily 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM ET

Campsites for May 1, 2027 become bookable on November 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM ET. Each subsequent date throughout May releases day-by-day exactly 6 months prior to arrival.

Facility note: Standard Recreation.gov 6-month rolling window: sites become bookable 6 months before arrival at 7:00 AM ET.

Fees

How much does it cost to camp at Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion?

During Peak Season, reserve the Carderock Pavilion for $250 per day plus an additional $100 on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. During Non-Peak Season, reserve the Carderock Pavilion for $125 per day plus an additional $50 on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Fee details as listed on Recreation.gov. Rates and passes change by season, so confirm the current price on Recreation.gov before you book.

Plan B

Easier nearby options in May

If your dates are flexible, these nearby campgrounds are typically easier to book.

Marsden Tract Group Campsite

MDPlan ahead

GREENBELT CAMPGROUND

MDEasy

Fort Washington Park Day Use Facilities

MDEasy

FAQ

Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion in May: common questions

How hard is it to book Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion in May?
Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion rates 10 out of 10 for May — Lottery-hard. Gone within minutes of release. Bring a plan B.
How far in advance should I book Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion for May?
The typical May reservation was made about 108 days before arrival, so plan to book as early as your dates allow.
When do May reservations open for Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion?
Reservations for Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion in May 2027 open on a rolling 6-month window. Sites for May 1 become bookable on November 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM ET, with each subsequent day releasing day-by-day 6 months ahead.
What is the best day to arrive at Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion in May?
Arrivals are lightest on Tuesday. A midweek arrival is usually the easiest booking.

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