Available sites
10 total sites
Tent Sites
About Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Canoeing
Cycling
Fishing
Hiking
Year-round
Cycling
Fishing
Hiking
Spring
Canoeing
Summer
Canoeing
Fall
Canoeing
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Parking
Pet friendly
Picnic Table
Restrooms
River Access
Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- Grill
- Fire Pit
- Campfire Ring
Parking and Transport
- Parking
Water Access
- River Access
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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10 Sites Available
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Reviews (88)
What Guests Are Saying
Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite offers a clean and well-maintained environment near the C&O Canal Trail and Potomac River, making it a pleasant spot for camping. However, some concerns include close proximity of sites, limited shade, and security issues in the parking lot during late hours. Overall, many visitors appreciate the location and basic facilities, with several expressing a desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite offers a clean and well-maintained environment near the C&O Canal Trail and Potomac River, making it a pleasant spot for camping. However, some concerns include close proximity of sites, limited shade, and security issues in the parking lot during late hours. Overall, many visitors appreciate the location and basic facilities, with several expressing a desire to return.
Review Summary
Nina A
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2020 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
This is a great campground and offers a reasonable hike along with a longer more hilly hike. Campground is well maintained. Just make sure you take all food out of your camping area (and tent) and back in your car because the small critters will visit you. The campground is right near the river and access for swimming is easy. A great family spot or great for a couple who wants to get away but not do some major camping. Porta Johns were clean and parking is safe. However if you’re easily woken up, the trucks/traffic that passes by can be loud at times. Those from a major city can tune it out. This site is also close to oldtown, md where there is a gas station and a dollar general less than a mile away if you need something quickly. The trail is easy and the tunnel is amazing - my kids loved it! Just don’t forget headlamps as the tunnel can be pretty dark further in.
Nina A
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2020 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
This is a great campground and offers a reasonable hike along with a longer more hilly hike. Campground is well maintained. Just make sure you take all food out of your camping area (and tent) and back in your car because the small critters will visit you. The campground is right near the river and access for swimming is easy. A great family spot or great for a couple who wants to get away but not do some major camping. Porta Johns were clean and parking is safe. However if you’re easily woken up, the trucks/traffic that passes by can be loud at times. Those from a major city can tune it out. This site is also close to oldtown, md where there is a gas station and a dollar general less than a mile away if you need something quickly. The trail is easy and the tunnel is amazing - my kids loved it! Just don’t forget headlamps as the tunnel can be pretty dark further in.
dennis s
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
Nice quiet site with easy access to the tunnel. Well maintained grounds and sanitary porta potty.
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.
dennis s
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
Nice quiet site with easy access to the tunnel. Well maintained grounds and sanitary porta potty.
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.
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.
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
Location & Directions for Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
142 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD 21795 United States
Elevation: 161 ft
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.
Nearby National Park
Front Royal Entrance Station
Approximate driving time: over 1 hr (97 min)
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: October 21, 2026
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Population: 1,949
Elevation: 410 ft
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