Date: 2014-11-23
To: Places to Stay While Hiking the AT
Miles today: 0.0

While covering 2185 miles during my thru hike this year I obviously spent a lot of time in the woods. Not counting the 30 some days I missed hiking because of medical issues I still was somewhere other than home for 143 nights. This year I spent 56 nights in my tent and 54 nights in shelters while completing my quest. The rest of the time I was spending the night in hostels or hotels along the trail. I thought that it would be helpful to future hikers if I mentioned all of these places and left a few comments on each place. I am not rating them but just listing them in the order that I came off of the trail and needed a place to resupply, shower, do laundry, or get out of the weather. Some of them I would not hesitate to use again if I was hiking the trail a second time. Some I would try to come up with another option instead of going there. There are a lot of nice places and towns that I didn't get to experience so keep and mind that on the AT there are plenty of places to get what you need. Also, keep in mind that these are not expert opinions, just the thoughts of one lone hiker.1) The Crossing at Neel's Gap - If you are having pack issues this is one place to get it corrected. It may not be cheap but it might save your hike. I slept in my tent here but they do have bunks. I picked up a food drop, swapped some gear, took a shower, and charged my electronics. I was unable to do my laundry because they need to make improvements in this area. They also need to upgrade shower facilities. It is a beautiful building and worthy of a stop even if you don't need anything. 2) Helendorff River Inn in Helen, Georgia - I went into town to avoid some severe weather. It is a unique town set up like a German village. I was able to take a shower, do laundry, and charge up electronics at the hotel. There are plenty of places to eat and a store to resupply.3) Holiday Inn Express in Hiawasee, Georgia - The only hotel chain where I stayed and enjoyed it. The rooms were cheap if you had a group of four hikers and the breakfast buffet is excellent. I went there to escape the heavy rains. Across the street is Daniels Steakhouse an AYCE place with excellent food and the people there treat hikers great. The hotel has showers, laundry facilities, and there are stores nearby. Don't forget to check the hiker box I got some items that lasted my entire hike in this one. 4) Saphire Inn in Franklin, N.C. - I thought the facility was sub-par in several areas but I was able to take care of laundry and get a shower. They do give you a ride back to the trail and there is a good Mexican restaurant across the street.         5) Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) - Stayed in heated bunkhouse for two nights to avoid cold weather. Nice restaurant and they also have a store and outfitter there. You can print out your permit for the Smokies at the outfitter. Neat place to watch white water kayaks in the river. Even if you don't spend the night they have a restroom with coin operated showers. 6) Gatlinburg, Tennessee - Nice town about halfway through the Smokies. Can resupply, get a hotel room and lots of options for town food. Bennett's BBQ is a great place to eat. 7) Standing Bear Farm Hostel Hartford, Tennessee - Resupply, shower and do laundry the old fashioned way with a wringer washer. The bunkhouse had a wood stove that took the chill out of the room at night. 8) Hot Springs N. C. - Stayed in tent by the river because the town was full of hikers and there wasn't enough beds for everyone. Town has laundromat, stores, and outfitter. The Smoky Mountain Diner has great food and probably the best breakfast I had on the trail. 9) Hemlock Hollow Inn Greenville, Tennessee - It is a walk (.9 miles) from the trail but has some neat buildings made from lumber harvested on the property. I stayed three days here with foot issues and it was about two days too long. Poor cell phone reception and the family running the business have issues with arguing in front of guest, it made me uncomfortable. They also didn't have water pressure in bathrooms for showers for several weeks. The food was pretty good but you didn't know what time they were going to operate the grill.10) Super 8 Erwin, Tennessee - Stayed here with my wife, daughter, and two grand daughters. I was in town to go to Urgent Care. The place was not clean enough for families to stay but was probably Ok for hikers. Pizza Plus delivered to the hotel and was pretty good pizza. 11) Uncle Johnnie's Erwin, Tennessee I would not recommend this place to anyone. I felt that the employees are not honest and only want your money. If anyone wants specific issues they can contact me through my journal and I can give several examples why you shouldn't stay there. 12) Holiday Inn Johnson City, Tennessee - Overpriced and no breakfast for guests. Had to go elsewhere for laundry but the town has a nice outfitter, Mahoney's and several restaurants. Frieburgs is one of the best German places that I have ever ate and there is a Shoney's in town. 13) Mountain Harbour Rhoan Mountain, Tennessee - A little overpriced for a bunk in a barn. The breakfast is not cheap but very good. 14)Black Bear Resort Dennis Cove Tennessee - A very nice place to resupply, do laundry, and shower. They were having problems with computer but let me use their laptop to do journals. The owners are very friendly and the place is kept clean and neat.15)The Place Damascus, Virginia - The hostel has showers and nice bunks but you have to take your laundry somewhere else. The caretaker takes his job way too seriously. A great trail town and the Blue Blaze Cafe is a great place to eat. 16) Partnership Shelter - Not a hostel but this shelter has water, solar showers, and electricity at the Mt. Rogers Visitors Center close by. You can take a bus to Marion, Virginia for 50 cents and do laundry, eat, and resupply.17) Wood's Hole near Pearisburg, Virginia - Nice bunkhouse with real mattresses and new restrooms and showers. The meals are great with homemade bread and lots of the food is grown right here on the farm. Poor cell phone service with Verizon. 18) Four Pines Catawba, Virginia - Joe Mitchell goes out of his way for hikers and has coolers with cold pop and popsickles that always taste great on a hot summer day. He lets you take his van, the Dragon Wagon into the store for food and resupply. You can also get a shower in the garage where the bunkhouse is located. He is reasonable on shuttles and slackpacks. 19) Troutville, Virginia - The town has a park where you can camp for free. It has a pavilion with electricity and restrooms. Across the street at the firehouse you can do laundry and take a shower. A little ways off of the trail but also has a store if you forgot anything in Daleville.20) Glasgow, Virginia - Town has a shelter built by an Eagle Scout and there are showers by the shelter. A laundromat is close by and a couple of stores for resupply. There is only one restaurant in town and they are closed on Mondays. They have tons of firewood at the shelter so you can have a nice campfire at night. Can be a tough hitch into town because it is not safe to walk this road. 21) Waynesboro, Virginia - The YMCA has showers and a place for you to camp for free. The camping area has solar chargers and a stream for water. A short walk can take you to the Ming the best AYCE Chinese restaurant on the entire trail. 22) Shenandoah National Park - Lots of places to camp where you can get food, resupply, take a shower, or do laundry. You will pay a little more for it though.23) Bears Den Hostel - Stone castle-like building where you can get the hiker special. $30 gets you a shower, laundry, pizza, soda, and a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. They also have internet to do journals.