Paw Paw Tunnel Trailhead - Oldtown, MD
Paw Paw Tunnel Trailhead: A Pet-Friendly Adventure in Oldtown, Maryland
Experience one of the region’s most unique dog-friendly hiking spots at the Paw Paw Tunnel Trailhead in Oldtown, Maryland. With its scenic out-and-back trails, historical tunnel, and beautiful views of the Potomac River, this park is a must-visit for dog owners seeking new adventures. The trail features a mix of gravel paths, boardwalk sections, and moderate inclines, making it a great pet-friendly destination for walking, hiking, and exploring the great outdoors with your canine companion.
There’s ample parking at the trailhead, picnic tables for relaxing or BBQs, and wheelchair accessible facilities. Porta-Johns are available at the parking area for added convenience. The trail is well-maintained and offers both easy and moderately challenging sections, with highlights including a 3/4 mile historic tunnel and stunning waterfall vistas. Whether you’re local or traveling from afar, Paw Paw Tunnel Trailhead delivers a memorable, dog-friendly hiking experience amid natural beauty.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are Porta-Johns available at the parking area and before the tunnel entrance.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park is kid-friendly with accessible trails and picnic areas.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, there is wheelchair accessible parking at the trailhead.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, there are picnic tables available for use, including BBQs.
- Where is the best place to park? There is a spacious parking lot at the trailhead with ample spaces.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, multiple hiking and walking trails originate at the trailhead, including adventurous loops and mountain overlooks.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? Parts of the trail can be wet and muddy, so waterproof shoes are recommended.
Reviews
Bring shoes with high soles/tread because it’s wet and slick in many places to be prepared to walk through wet muddy areas. Also make sure you bring headlamps or flashlights, there is no lighting in the tunnel. There is plenty of parking at the paw paw tunnel trailhead parking lot with some Porta-Johns available to use the restroom before your journey. Once you leave the parking lot you go on a nice gravel wide trail only a half a mile to reach to the tunnel. The tunnel is about 3/4 of a mile and dark. Once you reach the other side of the tunnel there is waterfalls coming down off the mountain and it’s very pretty. Then it continues on with a boardwalk and follows out to the trail marked with yellow or orange signs. You can take this trail back up the mountain side and eventually come out to the beginning walkway just before the tunnel and close to the parking lot. The whole trailhead loop I think is about 4 miles roughly… Maybe a little more. We went through the tunnel first and took the trail back to the parking lot afterwards. I would say the hike on the trail back up the mountain side is a little strenuous but not much. During this hike up the mountainside once you reach the top you will come to an overlooked looking over the river and seeing all the mountainsides. You also have the option to take the trail first and do the tunnel last… To do this go to the left at the beginning of the trail when you see a little wooden bridge to your left take that and follow the signs. We drove from about an hour and a half away maybe a little more and I would definitely recommend this place it was worth the drive! Make sure you bring some water and snacks to with your flashlights.
The tunnel is very dark and almost 3/4 of a mile long, so make sure you have light. The trail is around 5 miles long and absolutely beautiful.
Great area to walk or hike and explore an engineering marvel. Trail is taken care of and there are Porta potty at the parking area and before the tunnel entrance. Bring a flashlight as this tunnel is long, dark and there is no lighting whosoever.
Nice trail: It took us about 1 hour to walk uphill and back through the long tunnel. The tunnel looks shorter than it actually was. The trail was quite easy. We had wonderful weather so we enjoyed it. There is a spacious parking place and tables for BBQ.
It was a great trail day. 3 miles through the tunnel, up and down the ridge in a loop. Bring a flashlight for the tunnel. Moderate to hard assent up ridge. On the down slope, great view of the Potomac.