About Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
Number of accommodations: 10
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Canoeing
Cycling
Fishing
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Rates, Sites & Availability
10 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
10 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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.
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
bob k
VerifiedSeptember 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
It was middle of September and the campsite was deserted except for us and one other group. Nice and clean. The only "issue" we had was that we use Hammocks for sleeping and there was only one tree per campsite. We had to improvise using picnic tables as our other "tree".
It was a little noisy due to being so close to the road, but traffic was light after dark
Randall F
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2020 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
This is a nice stop for a C&O Canal towpath bike trip. It is, in my opinion, however, a $10 campsite and not the $20 I paid.
Randall F
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2020 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
This is a nice stop for a C&O Canal towpath bike trip. It is, in my opinion, however, a $10 campsite and not the $20 I paid.
George M
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2020 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
Loved everything about it! Quit campsite close to the car and very clean. Great hike to and through the tunnel and beyond. Two minute walk to the river. Great views!
George M
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2020 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
Loved everything about it! Quit campsite close to the car and very clean. Great hike to and through the tunnel and beyond. Two minute walk to the river. Great views!
Edwin T
VerifiedJanuary 24, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
Clean and well maintained
Edwin T
VerifiedJanuary 24, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
Clean and well maintained
Brian M
VerifiedJanuary 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
This site sits at the base of a highly-trafficked bike/hike/tourist trail. Absolutely zero privacy or quiet. No available parking because it was totally taken up by day hikers/bikers/tourists. It was also trashed. Someone was trying to burn broken up particle board furniture in the fire pits. The sites were small and stacked right up on top of each other. I do not recommend unless you are just passing through and need a cheap place to pitch a quick tent. The state is better off just expanding the parking lot and putting in some tourist amenities like bathrooms and park tables/benches. There's no reason people should be "camping" here.
Brian M
VerifiedJanuary 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
This site sits at the base of a highly-trafficked bike/hike/tourist trail. Absolutely zero privacy or quiet. No available parking because it was totally taken up by day hikers/bikers/tourists. It was also trashed. Someone was trying to burn broken up particle board furniture in the fire pits. The sites were small and stacked right up on top of each other. I do not recommend unless you are just passing through and need a cheap place to pitch a quick tent. The state is better off just expanding the parking lot and putting in some tourist amenities like bathrooms and park tables/benches. There's no reason people should be "camping" here.
Elizabeth R
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
Primitive campsite with chemical toilet and pump for water. Nothing fancy, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a site that felt fairly "backcountry" when actually so close to the path and to town. Loved being able to see and hear the river so close by. Well drained site despite being downhill from the berm of the trail, not too soggy for tent camping. Toilet was old and a little smelly, but I wasn't really expecting it to be otherwise, frankly.
Location Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
Address:
142 W. Potomac St.
Williamsport, MD, 21795
United States
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
