Doggin' The Paw Paw Tunnel

The Paw Paw Tunnel is not so-named because it is a dogs-only tunnel (although it is dog-friendly). The tunnel and nearby town take their name from the preponderance of Pawpaw trees, also known as a prairie banana or Ozark banana, in the area. This small tree with large leaves bears the largest edible fruit native to North America.
The fruit is a plump berry that can be two feet long with numerous seeds; it is green when unripe,
maturing to yellow or brown. The paw-paw has a flavor somewhat similar to both banana and mango.

The biggest obstacle to the completion of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was five miles of crooked Potomac River water known as the Paw Paw Bends. It was decided to bypass the curves with a tunnel, destined to be the largest man-made structure on the 184-mile canal. Rosy-eyed planners began work on the tunnel in 1836 with a goal of
7-8 feet gained a day. Instead, the pace was more like 12 feet a week. Fourteen years later - with a cost overrun of 500% - the 26-foot high tunnel was opened. Encased in the six million bricks used to build the Paw Paw Tunnel at Mile 155 are tales of unpaid wages, immigrant worker abuse, labor unrest and even murder. The canal finally closed
in 1924 after several devastating floods crippled commerce on the waterway.

This is the most unique hike you can take with your dog in the state of Maryland. The first thing you need to know is bring a flashlight - there are no lights in the tunnel and it is long enough to envelop you in complete darkness.
This canine hike starts in a national park service dog-friendly campground and travels a short distance on the well-maintained towpath of the canal until you reach the Paw Paw Tunnel. At this point you can plunge directly into
the 3,118-foot tunnel (more than a half-mile long) or veer to your right and lead your dog on a hardy hike over the
top of the tunnel on the Tunnel Hill Trail. You will rejoin the towpath on the opposite side of the tunnel and complete
your loop by returning through the darkness.

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