A Man-Made Natural Wonder

By Ranger Bill

Rainy days make me think of the Paw Paw Tunnel. When I'm in Allegany County on a rainy day, I go out of my way to enjoy the tunnel's spectacular man-made natural wonder. It holds one of the best secrets of the canal.

As I approach the upstream end I listen for the familiar roar. When I hear it my pace quickens. The fascinating features of the tunnel that usually captivate me - the rope burns in the railing from untold thousands of canal boat tow ropes, the speleothems that grace the sides and ceiling of the tunnel, the hole in the wall that exposes the many layers of brick - all are distractions.

My reward cascades over the downstream portal of the tunnel, a waterfall that flows only when it rains. When the canal builders created the tunnel, they also carved a long approach out of the mountain on the downstream end. In creating this half-mile long man-made canyon, they changed the drainage patterns of the mountain, focusing much of it down over the North portal into what is now known as Tunnel Hollow.

I rarely get to share this beautiful experience, because most people don't visit the tunnel in the rain. But the secret's out now. Maybe I'll see you at the tunnel next time it rains.

: A 1956 photograph of the work on the board walk leading to the Paw Paw Tunnel downstream portal. Credit: National Park Service

: Do not let the light deceive you! The tunnel is longer, and much darker, than you may think. Credit: David P. McMasters

: Throughout the history of the Canal, rock slides due to the formation of the shale near Paw Paw have caused damage to both the towpath and the Canal prism. Credit: National Park Service

: Hikers reach the downstream end. Credit: C&O Canal Trust

: Mission 66 was a National Parks Program that aimed at improving the infrastructure of the National Parks for the enjoyment of future generations. In 1956, this construction crew was busy working on Paw Paw Tunnel. Credit: National Park Service

: Ranger Danny explains the tunnel’s history. Credit: C&O Canal Trust

: Photograph of the Paw Paw Tunnel downstream portal prior to the work done by the Mission 66 construction crew. Credit: National Park Service

: Bikers must dismount before entering the tunnel. Credit: C&O Canal Trust

: One of the projects taken on by the Mission 66 construction crew was to repair and replace sections of brick that had failed inside the Paw Paw Tunnel. Credit: National Park Service

: Approaching the upstream end, the Paw Paw Tunnel Trail begins to the right of the towpath. Credit: C&O Canal Trust

: Replacement brick for the brick lining used inside the Paw Paw Tunnel. Credit: National Park Service

: Early photograph of the towpath outside of the north portal of the Paw Paw Tunnel. Credit: National Park Service

: Illustration of a packet boat entering the north portal of the Paw Paw Tunnel. Credit: National Park Service

: The Paw Paw Tunnel was a popular attraction along the canal. Excursionists would stop just outside the tunnel portal to get their photograph taken on top of the portal entrance. Credit: National Park Service

: Photograph of the north portal. Rock slides have covered the towpath and the railing from the fence has been taken apart. Credit: National Park Service

: Even though the canal was no longer in use for boat traffic, locals and canal enthusiasts still visited the Paw Paw Tunnel. Credit: National Park Service

: Mission 66 crew working on repairing the towpath wall inside the Paw Paw Tunnel. Water worked its way through the tunnel liner damaging the brick and mortar of the liner and towpath as well. Credit: National Park Service

: This 1881 photograph illustrates the recreational aspect of canal traffic through the tunnel. The large lantern shown on the bow served an important purpose while travelling through the 3,118 foot long tunnel. Credit: National Park Service

: Hiking groups still use the Paw Paw Tunnel as a popular destination for both scenic and historic hiking trips. Credit: National Park Service

: Photograph taken by E. Growden during a 1972 hiking excursion looking out the upstream portal. Credit: National Park Service

: 1960 photograph of the Section House at Paw Paw Tunnel. The Section House was used by the Superintendent in charge of the maintenance of that section of the canal. Credit: National Park Service