National Park Service · Maryland
Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
National Park Service · Maryland, United States · in Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Sites
- 10
- Hookups
- 10 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Dump station
- No
- Laundry
- No
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 554 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile good · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Nearest town
- Williamsport
- Address
- 142 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD, 21795
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking
10 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
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.
Facilities
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.
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 Attractions
Continue your adventures at Green Ridge State Forest! The city of Cumberland, MD is just 25 miles (40 km) west on MD Route 51.
Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (301) 739-4200.
Charges & 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.
Fees
Tent Only Nonelectric (Peak Season): $20. April 16 - November 15 (Peak Season)
Tent Only Nonelectric (Non-Peak Season): $10. November 16 - April 15
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38° | 25° | -6° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 43° | 29° | 6° | 72° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 55° | 36° | 15° | 75° | 8 of 11 |
| April | 69° | 45° | 27° | 89° | 3 of 11 |
| May | 73° | 55° | 38° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 82° | 62° | 52° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 89° | 70° | 58° | 100° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 86° | 69° | 57° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 82° | 63° | 48° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 64° | 47° | 35° | 84° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 52° | 36° | 25° | 69° | 6 of 10 |
| December | 43° | 31° | 14° | 69° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Purslane Run Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite · National Park Service · 0 mi · 1 sites
- Sorrel Ridge Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite · National Park Service · 2 mi · 1 sites
- Town Creek Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite · National Park Service · 4 mi · 1 sites
- Stickpile Hill Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite · National Park Service · 4 mi · 1 sites
- Devils Alley Hiker-Biker Campsite · National Park Service · 6 mi · 1 sites
All public campgrounds in Maryland · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.