OutReserve

Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

The Entrance to the Paw Paw Tunnel
Campsite with picnic table, grill and fire ring
Lookout Point, Paw Paw Bends
Inside the Paw Paw Tunnel
The grassy expanse of Paw Paw campground with the historic canal superintendent’s house

About 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.

Number of accommodations: 10

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Canoeing

Cycling

Fishing

Hiking

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

10 Sites Available

Site
Price
001, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
002, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
003, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
004, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
005, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
006, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
007, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
008, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
009, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
010, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available

Reviews (85)

What Guests Are Saying

The Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite is praised for its beautiful location near the C & O Canal and Potomac River, offering clean facilities and a pleasant environment with ample shade from trees. Many visitors enjoyed their stay and appreciated the campground's proximity to attractions, despite some concerns about noise from the nearby road and potential safety issues in the parking lot. Some sites are close together, making them less ideal during hot weather, and carrying supplies to the sites can be a hassle.

Review Summary

3.7
85 reviews
5
40.0%
34
4
21.2%
18
3
21.2%
18
2
7.1%
6
1
10.6%
9

Matthew S

Verified

June 7, 2021 Stayed at: 009, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

3

I was the only camper this night. Nice location close to Trail and Potomac River.

Karen M

Verified

April 21, 2021 Stayed at: 010, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

5

We had a quiet two nights of camping (Saturday/Sunday) because the Boy Scouts camped next to us had just finished a 20 mile hike! Good to note that you have to walk a short distance to the camp site from the parking lot—these are not pull up your car to unload your gear sites. The hiking trail up and around then through the tunnel has very scenic views of the river, and is well worth it—have a light with you as the tunnel is long and dark.

Karen M

Verified

April 21, 2021 Stayed at: 010, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

5

We had a quiet two nights of camping (Saturday/Sunday) because the Boy Scouts camped next to us had just finished a 20 mile hike! Good to note that you have to walk a short distance to the camp site from the parking lot—these are not pull up your car to unload your gear sites. The hiking trail up and around then through the tunnel has very scenic views of the river, and is well worth it—have a light with you as the tunnel is long and dark.

Lyrik D

Verified

April 16, 2021 Stayed at: 002, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

4

My family and I had a really great time at the Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite. The site is just a short 10 minute or so walk from the tunnel. Each of the 10 sites had their own picnic table, grill, and campfire w/ fliptop grill. We were the only ones in the campground (probably because of the intermittent rain). Our site #2 was large enough to fit a 6 person, 2 person, and 1 person tent, as well as all our supplies very comfortably. The campground also has 3 porta-pottys, one of which is very large. There was a log on the door that showed that they are regularly cleaned every 3-4 days. There also is an additional porta-potty right outside of the tunnel. There were a few reasons I had to take one star off this review. Firstly, the sites are very close together, although we were alone, it probably would've been a bit worse of a trip had the sites on either side of us been occupied. Second, Our site was pretty gross when we got there. There were multiple boiled eggs smashed all around the site, there was what looked like half of a birthday cake left around the base of a tree, and in the fire pit had tons of cigarettes, trash, and entire burger patties, so it was pretty bad. I did check all the other sites however and non of them had this issue, so it seems like we just got super unlucky with having trashy people before us. We cleaned up the best we could before leaving. Lastly, someone had pulled into the parking lot at around 10pm and left their headlights on until past 1am, completely illuminating our spot. With all that being said, these last two issues were probably just our bad luck and I'm sure you will have a much better experience than us.

Lyrik D

Verified

April 16, 2021 Stayed at: 002, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

4

My family and I had a really great time at the Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite. The site is just a short 10 minute or so walk from the tunnel. Each of the 10 sites had their own picnic table, grill, and campfire w/ fliptop grill. We were the only ones in the campground (probably because of the intermittent rain). Our site #2 was large enough to fit a 6 person, 2 person, and 1 person tent, as well as all our supplies very comfortably. The campground also has 3 porta-pottys, one of which is very large. There was a log on the door that showed that they are regularly cleaned every 3-4 days. There also is an additional porta-potty right outside of the tunnel. There were a few reasons I had to take one star off this review. Firstly, the sites are very close together, although we were alone, it probably would've been a bit worse of a trip had the sites on either side of us been occupied. Second, Our site was pretty gross when we got there. There were multiple boiled eggs smashed all around the site, there was what looked like half of a birthday cake left around the base of a tree, and in the fire pit had tons of cigarettes, trash, and entire burger patties, so it was pretty bad. I did check all the other sites however and non of them had this issue, so it seems like we just got super unlucky with having trashy people before us. We cleaned up the best we could before leaving. Lastly, someone had pulled into the parking lot at around 10pm and left their headlights on until past 1am, completely illuminating our spot. With all that being said, these last two issues were probably just our bad luck and I'm sure you will have a much better experience than us.

James S

Verified

March 27, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

5

We had a great experience. The tunnel is about a half mile away.

James S

Verified

March 27, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

5

We had a great experience. The tunnel is about a half mile away.

Mike W

Verified

December 19, 2020 Stayed at: 008, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

3

Random cars would pull into the carpark in the middle of the night/ early morning; felt like a thriller movie at times. Other than that it was a great experience. Got up in the am, did an early morning hike and called it a day.

Mike W

Verified

December 19, 2020 Stayed at: 008, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

3

Random cars would pull into the carpark in the middle of the night/ early morning; felt like a thriller movie at times. Other than that it was a great experience. Got up in the am, did an early morning hike and called it a day.

Matthew C

Verified

November 29, 2020 Stayed at: 007, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

5

Peaceful campground, mostly empty. Lots of dog poop though! Close to paw paw tunnel

Location Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite

Address:
142 W. Potomac St.
Williamsport, MD, 21795
United States

Highway access

Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite is accessible via MD State Route 51, which is the primary road providing access to the campground. There are no nearby interstates or major highways within approximately 25 miles.

Latitude & Longitude: 39.5416 / -78.4597

Elevation: 161 feet

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

1PM

Check out time

12PM

  • For emergencies or squatting issues, contact the National Capital Region Communications Center.

Utilities

  • Bring your own backup water supply and hygiene items; restrooms are cleaned twice weekly.
  • In winter, bring plenty of water and food due to limited local supplies.

Fires & fuel

  • Fires allowed in fire rings; extinguish before leaving. Cutting live growth is prohibited. Only kiln dried wood allowed; fallen wood can be used.

Site capacity

  • Large groups should reserve two adjacent sites; check the facility map for site numbers.

Safety & rules

  • Quiet hours must be observed.
  • All trash must be removed as the park is trash-free; no trash cans are provided.

Local regulations

  • Alcohol and marijuana are prohibited on the premises.

Pets

  • Pets must be leashed and waste picked up at all times.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 4, 2026

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