Paw Paw Tunnel

Paw Paw Tunnel

NPS | S. Spencer

Plan Your Visit

When you plan your visit to the Paw Paw Tunnel (mile 155.2), bring a flashlight.

The Paw Paw Tunnel is 3,118 feet long and lined with an estimated 6 million bricks. While walking through the tunnel, discover the weep holes, rope burns, rub rails, as well as brass plates marking every 100-feet that bring the tunnel’s history to life. Bike riders should dismount. Horses are not allowed in the Paw Paw Tunnel.

The two-mile long Tunnel Hill Trail connects to the towpath at both ends of the Paw Paw Tunnel. Hike the trail over top the mountain to see where the tunnel builders lived during construction and discover breathtaking views of the Paw Paw Bends. Be advised this is a steep and strenuous trail. Bike riders must dismount.

Park at the Paw Paw Tunnel Campground and walk 0.5 miles to the Paw Paw Tunnel.

 

Paw Paw Tunnel with windbreak

NPS| K. Spencer

Paw Paw Tunnel in Winter

Visiting the Paw Paw Tunnel in the winter months will likely provide you with a different view than you're used to. In preparation for colder temperatures, park staff board up the south portal of the tunnel to preserve the internal masonry of the structure.

During the colder months, chilly winds and freeze-thaw cycles can damage the internal brick masonry. But the plywood boards of the closure act as a windbreak to help prevent this.

The tunnel is still open to the public and can be accessed via the “doorway” through the boards. Visitors are reminded to please dismount bicycles within the Paw Paw Tunnel and on boardwalks and to follow directions on signage.

History

The Paw Paw Tunnel is one of the most significant engineering features on the Canal. To save building six miles of canal along the river, the C&O Canal Company decided to construct a tunnel through a steep topographic ridge now called Tunnel Hill. When work began on the tunnel in 1836, the builders estimated the project would be completed within two years. The tunnel ultimately required 14 years to complete due to labor issues and violence, funding shortfalls, work stoppages, and the challenges of digging a 3,118-foot (0.6 mile) tunnel through the hard, loose shale. The tunnel opened in October 1850 with rockslides continuing to be a challenge throughout the tunnel’s history.

Throughout the canal’s history, numerous floods damaged the towpath, culverts, locks, and tunnel. As competition from the railroad increased, repairing the canal structures proved unprofitable. In 1924, the canal closed to commercial shipping. In 1938, the federal government acquired the canal for two million dollars. The tunnel was badly deteriorated. The National Park Service made major repairs to the tunnel, including replacing fallen bricks, filling cavities along the towpath, stabilizing rock slides, and repairing the façade of the downstream portal. Maintenance work continues to allow safe passage for today’s hikers and bikers.

 

Getting Here

Latitude and Longitude

Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS): 39° 32' 39.0768" N, 78° 27' 39.2396" W
Decimal Degrees (DD): 39.544188, -78.460900

GPS

The Paw Paw Tunnel has no street address, search "Paw Paw Tunnel Campground" or follow the directions below.

From Cumberland, MD

1. Head south on MD-51 (Industrial Road) for approximately 24 miles.
2. Parking lot will be directly off MD-51, on the left side of the road.

From Paw Paw, WV

1. Head north on MD-51 (Oldtown Road) for approximately 0.5 miles.
2. Parking lot will be directly off MD-51, on the right side of the road

 

Things to Do

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  Mile 156.1

  Paw Paw Tunnel Campground

  Allegany County, MD

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  Education Programs

  Education Opportunities

  Information on Field Trips, Curriculum Materials, Professional Development, Canal Classroom Corps, Partnerships

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  Preserve Your Memories

  Passport Stamps

  Commemorate your visit with a passport stamp.