Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite
National Park Service campground in Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, near Williamsport, Maryland.
$10nightly fee
10overnight sites
Reservablebooking
Not statedseason (agency text)
No RV datamax RV/trailer length
18named USFS/NPS trails within 5 mi (17.4 mi)
48.8 mibike trails within 5 mi
How it compares
- With 10 sites it is the #17 largest of 21 Maryland campgrounds that publish a site count (small and usually quieter).
- Its lowest fee ($10) is $8.50 below the Maryland median of $18.50/night.
- There are 29 other campgrounds in our data within 25 miles; 0 of them list a lower starting fee.
- 100% of sites with a shade rating are listed as shaded or partly shaded.
- Pets allowed on 10 of 10 sites; campfires allowed on 10 (subject to seasonal fire bans).
- Straight-line distance: Winchester ~29 mi, Harrisonburg ~79 mi, Washington ~88 mi.
Site mix
Amenities & rules
Fire pitsGrillsPicnic tablesQuiet areaPets allowedTents
Trails within 5 miles
| Trail | Closest point | Mapped miles within 5 mi | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Towpath, Milepost 156-157 (156.00) | 0.1 mi | 1.0 | NPS |
| Towpath, Milepost 155-156 (155.00) | 0.4 mi | 1.1 | NPS |
| Paw Paw Trail | 0.6 mi | 1.3 | NPS |
| Towpath, Milepost 157-158 (157.00) | 0.6 mi | 1.0 | NPS |
| Towpath, Milepost 154-155 (154.00) | 1.4 mi | 1.0 | NPS |
| Towpath, Milepost 158-159 (158.00) | 1.5 mi | 1.0 | NPS |
| Towpath, Milepost 159-160 (159.00) | 1.9 mi | 1.0 | NPS |
| Towpath, Milepost 153-154 (153.00) | 2.2 mi | 1.0 | NPS |
| Towpath, Milepost 160-161 (160.00) | 2.7 mi | 1.0 | NPS |
| Towpath, Milepost 152-153 (152.00) | 3.0 mi | 1.0 | NPS |
| Towpath, Milepost 161-162 (161.00) | 3.4 mi | 1.0 | NPS |
| Towpath, Milepost 151-152 (151.00) | 3.6 mi | 1.0 | NPS |
+ 6 more named trails.
Mountain biking nearby
48.8 miles of bike-legal trail lie within 5 miles (0.2 mi on unnamed paths). Difficulty mix: Unrated: 48.8 mi
| Trail | Closest point | Miles within 5 mi | Difficulty (as tagged) | Kids | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail | 0.1 mi | 31.2 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Towpath, Milepost 156-157 (156.00) | 0.1 mi | 1.0 | Unrated | NPS | |
| Towpath, Milepost 155-156 (155.00) | 0.4 mi | 1.1 | Unrated | NPS | |
| Paw Paw Trail | 0.6 mi | 1.3 | Unrated | NPS | |
| Towpath, Milepost 157-158 (157.00) | 0.6 mi | 1.0 | Unrated | NPS | |
| Towpath, Milepost 154-155 (154.00) | 1.4 mi | 1.0 | Unrated | NPS | |
| Towpath, Milepost 158-159 (158.00) | 1.5 mi | 1.0 | Unrated | NPS | |
| Towpath, Milepost 159-160 (159.00) | 1.9 mi | 1.0 | Unrated | NPS | |
| Towpath, Milepost 153-154 (153.00) | 2.2 mi | 1.0 | Unrated | NPS | |
| Towpath, Milepost 160-161 (160.00) | 2.7 mi | 1.0 | Unrated | NPS | |
| Towpath, Milepost 152-153 (152.00) | 3.0 mi | 1.0 | Unrated | NPS | |
| Towpath, Milepost 161-162 (161.00) | 3.4 mi | 1.0 | Unrated | NPS |
+ 7 more.
Ratings come only from OpenStreetMap mtb:scale / IMBA tags. Untagged trails show as "Unrated", and we never guess. Check conditions and maps on Trailforks or MTB Project.
Activities listed
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback RidingPaddlingWildlife Viewing
Nearest campgrounds
| Campground | Miles | State | Fee/night | Sites | Hookups | Max RV | Pets | Booking | Trails ≤5 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purslane Run Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park |
0.5 | MD | Free | — | — | — | — | First-come | 16 (15.5 mi) |
| Sorrel Ridge Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park |
2.1 | MD | Free | — | — | — | — | First-come | 21 (20.1 mi) |
| Town Creek Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park |
4.4 | MD | Free | — | — | — | — | First-come | 15 (14.3 mi) |
| Stickpile Hill Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park |
4.4 | MD | Free | — | — | — | — | First-come | 22 (21.4 mi) |
| Gary's Family Campground Private campground |
5.6 | WV | — | — | — | yes | — | ? | 14 (12.6 mi) |
| Avalon Resort Private campground |
5.9 | WV | — | — | — | yes | — | ? | 4 (2.9 mi) |
Hookups: E = electric (max amps), W = water, S = sewer. "—" means the agency doesn't publish it. Trail counts are named USFS/NPS trails within 5 miles. 🟢 = kid-friendly (green-rated) bike trail nearby.
From the managing agency
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 plentifu… read the full description on Recreation.gov