Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park · Allegany County, MD

Paw Paw Tunnel

The 3,118-ft canal tunnel cut through Green Ridge, with a steep ridge-top bypass trail you can loop. Through the tunnel itself is flat and easy, but the bypass adds the climb that makes this a moderate outing. Bring a headlamp — the tunnel is pitch black and takes ~20 minutes to walk through. Closures recur for restoration work, ice, and bat-related seasonal restrictions.

Live · updated Apr 27, 1:32 AM ET

Today

Park closure — trail is inaccessible today.

Primary activity: hiking

20 /100

Skip

Trail: prime AQI 30

Closures: Detours; Towpath; Points of Interest

Multiple items are closed due to hazardous conditions or maintenance. See below for more details.

Details from the park agency →

Conditions

Air temp

47°F

Clear

Wind

0 to 6 mph

Rain

Last 48h: 0.00″

Trail

prime

mixed surface

Sunset

8:02 PM

1110 min daylight left

Moon

Waxing Gibbous

77% illuminated

Air quality

AQI 30

O3 · Good

Score by activity

Hiking

Ideal 48–75°F

20/100

Park closure — trail is inaccessible today.

Dog walking

Ideal 40–72°F

20/100

Park closure — trail is inaccessible today.

Score breakdown

· 47°F air — Within comfort range, outside ideal
✓ AQI 30 — Clean air
✓ Trail: prime — No meaningful rain in the last 48 hours. Trail surface is dry and tacky — prime traction.

Trail facts

Distance: 3.5 mi round-trip
Elevation gain: 300 ft
Surface: mixed
Difficulty: moderate
Typical crowds: moderate
Dogs: Leash required

Trailhead

Parking

Trailhead lot .

Facilities

Bathrooms .

Coordinates

39.5547, -78.4600 — Allegany County, MD.

Park

Part of Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (official site →).

Park advisories

DC Water Sewer Overflow

DC Water is managing a sanitary sewer overflow from the Potomac Interceptor near Lock 10. Anyone with questions or in need of support can reach out to DC Water’s 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 or visit https://www.dcwater.com/about-dc-water/media/potomac-interceptor-collapse.

Equestrian Traffic Temporarily Prohibited - Mile 124.5 to 155

Horses are prohibited between Little Tonoloway (mile 124.5) and Paw Paw (mile 155) due to recent and ongoing towpath resurfacing. See more for details.

Hiking in Gold Mine Tract

Visitors are restricted to the designated trails within the Gold Mine Tract in the Great Falls area. This location is generally defined as that area bordered by MacArthur Boulevard and Berma Road and depicted on the Great Falls Maryland Hiking Map.