Maryland / Allegany County / Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

Open — Open year-round for reservations. Water is available from April 15 through November 1; no water available in winter months. Peak season rates (April 15-November 15) are $20 per night; non-peak season rates (November 16-April 14) are $10 per night.

About

Paw Paw Tunnel Campground is situated at Mile 156 on the C&O Canal Towpath on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, directly across from the town of Paw Paw, West Virginia. The campground features 10 single campsites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and grill, with each site accommodating up to eight people. Larger groups can reserve adjacent sites. The location provides excellent access to the historic Paw Paw Tunnel, one of the greatest engineering feats of its day, which took 12 years to complete. Tucked in the mountains of Western Maryland and adjacent to Green Ridge State Forest, the campground offers natural beauty year-round, particularly stunning during autumn. Popular activities include hiking the Paw Paw Tunnel trails, biking the C&O Canal Towpath, kayaking, and fishing. The town of Paw Paw, WV, has a boat ramp for easy Potomac River access via surface roads. A Maryland Fishing License is required for anglers age 16 and older. Portable toilets are available year-round, while hand pump water is available seasonally from April 15 through November 1. The campground operates on a tiered pricing structure: $20 per night during peak season (April 15-November 15) and $10 per night during non-peak season (November 16-April 14). Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all C&O Canal National Historical Park campgrounds. Green Ridge State Forest and Cumberland (25 miles west on MD 51) offer additional nearby attractions.

Directions

From Cumberland, MD: Follow MD-51 S/E Industrial Road for approximately 24 miles. Campground will be directly off MD-51, on the left side of the road.

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