There are plenty of reasons to love fall in West Virginia, but few are quite as delicious as pawpaw season. On Saturday, September 12, 2026, the small Morgan County community of Paw Paw will celebrate one of Appalachia’s most distinctive native fruits during the 2026 Pawpaw Festival, a one-day celebration of pawpaws in the unmistakable charm of a West Virginia small town. The Pawpaw Festival isn’t just about eating fruit. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy live music, food trucks, handmade crafts, educational presentations and family activities. The 2026 lineup includes 10 experts on pawpaws, horticulture, and local history.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 60 Pirate Circle, and admission is free. For just $4, you can reserve a pawpaw tasting ticket. The ticket reserves a curated tasting of different pawpaw varieties. SALES OPEN August 22, 2026 at 12:00am
So, What Exactly Is a Pawpaw?
Pawpaw Fruit
Despite its tropical-sounding name, the pawpaw is very much a native Appalachian fruit. In fact, Asimina triloba is North America’s largest native tree fruit, growing naturally throughout much of the eastern United States. The flavor is famously difficult to describe. Some people detect hints of banana, mango, melon or pineapple, while others simply describe it as uniquely pawpaw. The creamy fruit has a cult following among food enthusiasts.
Make a Weekend of It
The Paw Paw Tunnel
While the Pawpaw Festival itself takes place on Saturday, Paw Paw is worth exploring beyond the festival grounds. The community sits alongside the historic C&O Canal corridor and the Potomac River, making it an appealing destination for travelers who like to combine festivals with history and scenic outdoor adventures. Canoe the Potomac Bends with Greenridge Canoe Outfitter, bike along quiet gravel roads, or enjoy one of the area’s biggest attractions is the Paw Paw Tunnel, the 3,118-foot engineering marvel on the C&O Canal towpath. Located just outside town, the tunnel is one of the most memorable places to experience the historic canal. If you’re coming from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Northern Virginia, Maryland or Pennsylvania, Paw Paw makes for a particularly appealing fall getaway in the mountains of West Virginia.
Where to Stay for the Pawpaw Festival
The McBee House
The McBee House in Paw Paw, West Virginia
Canal Cabins – Paw Paw, WV
For a stay with a little history, The McBee House is hard to beat. This renovated 1898 home sits in the center of Paw Paw and offers three rooms, along with a full kitchen, living space, guest laundry and indoor bicycle storage. It’s located about a mile from the C&O Canal and provides an especially convenient home base for visitors combining the festival with outdoor recreation. The McBee House
Canal Cabins
For something a little more rustic, Canal Cabins offers a unique glamping experience near the C&O Canal. The Paw Paw property includes cozy cabins designed with hikers and cyclists in mind, with amenities including Wi-Fi, air conditioning, heating, showers, laundry facilities and bike-friendly features.
The Pawpaw Festival
Saturday, September 12, 2026
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Paw Paw School Campus
60 Pirate Circle
Paw Paw, WV 25434
Admission: Free
For the latest festival information, schedule, vendors and updates:
