NPS · Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park · Williamsport, MD

Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

The Paw Paw Tunnel Campground is located at Mile 156 on the C&O Canal Towpath on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, across from the town of Paw Paw in West Virginia. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Reservable · Recreation.gov10 sitesPets okFires okTents only

More like this: reservable in Maryland · tent only in Maryland · pets allowed in Maryland

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
The Entrance to the Paw Paw TunnelCampsite with pop-up tent over picnic tablePaw Paw Tunnel CampsitePotomac River at Paw Paw
Photos courtesy of NPS Photo (S. Spencer), NPS Photo (Claire Conner), NPS Photo, Claire Conner/NPS · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Tent-only10
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

10 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteShadeWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresRating
001PartialRiverfront8 / 2YesStandard
002PartialRiverfront8 / –YesStandard
003PartialRiverfront8 / –YesStandard
004PartialRiverfront8 / –YesStandard
005PartialRiverfront8 / –YesStandard
006PartialRiverfront8 / –YesStandard
007PartialRiverfront8 / –YesStandard
008PartialRiverfront8 / –YesStandard
009PartialRiverfront8 / –YesStandard
010PartialRiverfront8 / –YesStandard

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

EquipmentTents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions

There are 10 single campsites, each has a picnic table, fire ring and grill. Each site can accommodate eight people. If there is a larger group, reserve two sites next to each other. Portable toilets are available. Hand pump water is available from April 15-November 1.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 3.63 inches of precipitationFebruary: 2.21 inches of precipitationMarch: 3.03 inches of precipitationApril: 3.46 inches of precipitationMay: 4.43 inches of precipitationJune: 4.93 inches of precipitationJuly: 4.35 inches of precipitationAugust: 3.09 inches of precipitationSeptember: 4.39 inches of precipitationOctober: 3.35 inches of precipitationNovember: 2.64 inches of precipitationDecember: 3.30 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 30.6°F averageFebruary: 33.2°F averageMarch: 40.6°F averageApril: 51.8°F averageMay: 61.1°F averageJune: 69.3°F averageJuly: 73.7°F averageAugust: 71.7°F averageSeptember: 64.9°F averageOctober: 53.7°F averageNovember: 43.3°F averageDecember: 34.5°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 in5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Cacapon St Pk #2, 9 miles from the campground at 958 feet, station USC00461324 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 43 inches a year.

Getting there

From Cumberland, MD: Follow MD State Route 51 South/E Industrial Road for approximately 24 miles (39 km). Paw Paw Campground will be directly off 51, on the left side of the road.

Nearest townWilliamsport, Maryland
Coordinates39.5416° N, 78.4597° W · Directions ↗

Charges and cancellations

Cancellations A cancellation is the release of a confirmed reservation prior to the start of the defined late cancellation time frame which results in non-use by the original customer. Camping and Day Use Facilities Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window • Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. • Group Facility: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. • Group Day Use Area: Customers who cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fee.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗5.7 mi
Outdoor gearTrail Depot ↗14 mi
RV sales & serviceBear Creek RV ↗56.4 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Paw Paw Tunnel campground review in WV off the C&O Canal.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Tucked in the mountains of Western Maryland and adjacent to Green Ridge State Forest, experience the history and culture of the area as well as its natural beauty, which is plentiful all times of the year, but especially during autumn.

Nearby

Continue your adventures at Green Ridge State Forest! The city of Cumberland, MD is just 25 miles (40 km) west on MD Route 51.

Guidebooks for Maryland

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite?

Sites at Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite?

Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite?

Camping and Day Use Facilities Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.

Source: Charges and cancellations

How many sites does Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite have?

10 sites, including 10 tent-only sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite?

Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite?

Yes, pets are allowed at Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite?

FCC coverage maps show T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is the nearest town to Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite?

Williamsport, Maryland. Continue your adventures at Green Ridge State Forest!

Source: Getting there

What if Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Purslane Run Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite (0.5 mi, first-come), Sorrel Ridge Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite (2.1 mi, first-come), and Town Creek Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite (4.4 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby

Which national park is Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite in?

Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite is a Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.

Source: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park