Campground · Maryland · 10 bookable sites ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (National Historical Park) · Restricted Access

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.
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.
Continue your adventures at Green Ridge State Forest! The city of Cumberland, MD is just 25 miles (40 km) west on MD Route 51.
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.
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.
Check-in 1:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Access | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Riverfront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 002 | Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Riverfront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 003 | Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Riverfront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 004 | Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Riverfront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 005 | Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Riverfront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 006 | Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Riverfront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 007 | Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Riverfront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Riverfront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 009 | Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Riverfront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 010 | Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | Riverfront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
From Cumberland, MD: Follow MD State Route 51 South/E Industrial Road for approximately 24 miles (39 km). Paw Paw Campground will be directly off 51, on the left side of the road.
39.54158, -78.45969 · 39°32'29.7"N 78°27'34.9"W
Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 40°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 40 | 43 | 52 | 64 | 73 | 81 | 85 | 83 | 77 | 66 | 54 | 44 |
| Low °F | 21 | 23 | 30 | 40 | 49 | 58 | 62 | 60 | 53 | 42 | 32 | 25 |
| Precip in | 3.6 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 3.1 | 4.4 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 3.3 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.


Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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