Favorite Town Stops: AT
There are over 150 different resupply points on the Appalachian Trail. Some of these are single gas stations and some are lovely towns that offer lasting memories. To help you narrow down which towns are worth the stop, we have compiled a list of some of our most memorable stops. This is your Yelp review hiker style.
There are many more places to stop on trail, but these were our highlights!
Ⓐ designated an ATC trail community. These are communities who have self-selected into providing a support for thru hikers.
Fontana Dam, NC Ⓐ
NOBO 164.9
The marina and “town” are accessible from trail.
Free camping, water, and restrooms with showers. There is even a solar powered charging station for electronics.
Couple good resupply options (marina & general store)
Gatlinburg, TN (Newfound Gap)
NOBO 208
Gatlinburg was by no means our favorite town on trail. It is a large tourist attraction due to its proximity to Great Smokey Mountain NP. The timing of Gatlinburg is what makes it great. You have about 1-2 days left in the NP and then the next good resupply isn’t until Hot Springs. This is a great option for lots of food and to get gear if needed.
Cici’s pizza buffet. Cheap. Buffet. What more do you need?!
Outfitter: The main NOC store. Huge outfitter which lots of gear options.
Hot Springs, NC Ⓐ
NOBO 274.9
The trail goes directly through town. We recommend:
Laughing Heart Hostel
Smoky Mountain Diner
Southern Diner food, large portions, and reasonably priced. Cinnamon rolls on Saturdays.
Brewery with outdoor seating & food
Great gear shop with decent selection of shoes
The Station at 19E, TN
NOBO 395.6
Hostel located on-top of a restaurant/bar. Great selection of beer and good food. Your friends and family can spend trail magic ($) straight to the bar to pay your tab.
The only con is that the resupply offered there is limited in turns of variety but also quantity if a large group has just come through.
Damascus, VA Ⓐ
NOBO 470.7
The trail goes directly through town. There are multiple gear shops and resupply options, including a full-size grocery store.
We recommend:
Damascus Diner for the BEST waffles ever
Daleville & Roanoke, VA
NOBO 730.6
This could be a controversial one! Daleville is located right off the trail (less than 0.2) with fast-food and full grocery store. Roanoke is a ~20 minute ride away but is a larger town than you’ve had access to recently. It is great for a double zero with a long list of breweries and restaurants, also gear shops.
We recommend Three Lil Pigs BBQ in Daleville.
Duncannon, PA Ⓐ
NOBO 1149.8
The trail goes directly through town. Resupply options are mainly large gas station stores.
We recommend:
Kind of Outdoorsy Hostel & Gear Shop: It is a small gear store that has bunk rooms in the back for hikers. Reasonably priced with plenty of room for showers and charging. There is a laundromat directly next door for easy access to laundry.
3B Ice Cream: Walk up ice cream window with soft serve and hard ice cream. Hiker portions!
Port Clinton, PA
NOBO 1220.2
The trail goes directly through town.
Worth the stop is the Port Clinton Peanut Shop. Old fashion candy store (would not depend on for a full resupply.)
Hamburg is a short walk/hitch down the road with hotels, fast-food, and a Walmart to resupply.
Delaware Water Gap, PA Ⓐ
NOBO 1296.4
The trail goes directly through town. The resupply is a little iffy, relying on two gas stations who were a bit pricey when we went through.
We recommend:
Village Farmer & Bakery: Amazing pies and pastries!
Poconos Pizza
Unionville, NJ
NOBO 1349.1
The trail passes close by ~0.5 away. The general store, Horler’s General Store & Deli, is known for its large fresh sandwiches. Even for a thru hiker their sandwiches can easily be lunch and dinner. In the morning that also sell bagel sandwiches. If you needed to, you could also resupply here.
Warwick, NY Ⓐ
NOBO1360.9
Short drive from trail, but it is easy to hitch. The main attraction is the drive-in movie theatre that allows thru hikers to tent for free and enjoy the night’s feature film. Other highlights:
Full size grocery store next to the movie theatre for resupply.
Pennings Farm across the street has food and beer. There is also a cidery on the property with woodfire pizza.
Corrados Pizzeria & Gelateria , NY
NOBO 1415.3
Best pizza & gelato on trail. Seriously good pizza. The owners are VERY hiker friendly and make a point to meet and talk everyone. Large yard in the back where they allow hikers to hang out.
Rutland, VT
NOBO 1708.2
You will probably hear about the hostel here…we enjoyed our stay.
Yellow Deli Hostel, operates a deli downstairs
Includes loaner clothes, laundry, showers. All donation based.
Good food and hostel is very clean
Tokyo House for sushi
Stewarts (gas station) for the BEST and cheapest ice cream.
North Woodstock, NH
NOBO 1824.1
Home to our favorite hostel! Recommend: The Notch Hostel.
Very clean and reasonably priced.
Large kitchen to make cooking easy.
It is a little bit out of town but they have free bike rentals to head into town. They do any evening shuttle to a grocery store.
Free shuttle to and from trail.
Gorham, NH Ⓐ
NOBO 1898.9
At the road to town is an AMC lodge with a continental breakfast. Nothing exceedingly special but we would do it for the price and AYCE after being in the White Mountains.
We recommend the Barn Hostel. The owners are very kind and attentive. They have beds or tenting option. It can be very crowded when full, but has that true hiker hostel feel. It is walking distance to restaurants, Dollar General, cafes.
Monson, ME Ⓐ
Shaw’s Hiker Hostel is a trail legend. Two things of note:
Splurge for the breakfast of bottomless blueberry pancakes. Phenomenal.
Great resupply on the premise. Nearly everything is sold individually, making it easier than throwing out half a box. Carry all the hiker favorites.
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