Favorite Town Stops: PCT
There are over 150 different resupply points on the Pacific Crest 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!
Cleef Campground, CA
NOBO 0
The campground located at the southern terminus. It is run by prior thru hikers who host a nightly presentation covering thru hiking topics (ex: hydration, hitching, elevation sickness, resupplying, ect.) They are a wealth of information and very helpful.
Small cost associated with tenting here but includes flushable toilets and a hearty breakfast.
Julian, CA
NOBO 76.3
The first full resupply of the trail! There are two general stores in town that offer comparable items and prices. Gear shops are hard to come by and Julian has a full service, thru hiker oriented shop.
Top Recommendation: Mom’s Pie. Show your PCT permit for a free piece of pie and scoop of ice cream
Wrightwood, CA
NOBO 369.3
Our recommendations:
Grizzly Cafe, great breakfast but very busy.
Mountain Hardware. Don’t be fooled by the name. They have a small hiker gear selection in addition to a hiker hangout in the back, complete with charging.
The Village Grand Espresso & Wine Bar. They give a free coffee (hot or iced) to hikers.
Acton, CA
NOBO 444.3
The KOA right off trail is the popular stop for hikers for a quick resupply. We recommend getting the hitch into Acton proper to stay the 49er Saloon. The Saloon offers FREE tenting in their secured backyard. It includes charging, bucket laundry, and a shower. There are two small grocery stores within a block for resupply.
Bishop, CA (Kearsarge Pass)
NOBO 790.1
This is a doozy of a hitch but doable so do not be dissuaded. One item of note, Bishop is about 8,000-9,000 ft lower than the Sierras you will be coming from. Town will feel overwhelmingly warm. There is a full sized grocery store and a couple gear stores. Below are the top spots we recommend stopping by:
Ericks Schat’s Bakery, Germany style pastries and deli sandwiches
Aaron Shat’s Roadhouse, BBQ and milkshakes
Twin Theatre, decently priced movies
Owens Valley Distilling Company
Vermilion Valley Resort, CA
NOBO 875.7
Free camping for PCT hikers
If you are able to time it correctly, stop in on their Wood Fire Pizza night (Far Out will list the dates and times they do this.)
There are showers and wifi for a fee.
Note: the resupply is pricey and limited
Kennedy Meadows North, CA
NOBO 1018.1
This is a working ranch that offers camping to non-hikers and is very popular for that. They do have a restaurant, small bar, store, and lodging.
BEST resupply on trail
Hot food is very decently priced. We got massive steaks for $35 with sides.
Hiker hut located behind the restaurant, outfitted with a hiker box, charging station, tables, and free wifi.
Bunks, laundry, and showers available at a cost
Bucks Lake, CA
NOBO 1264.9
Most people decide to hitch into Quincy. We went to Bucks Lake (a campground with a couple stores) and preferred it to the trek into town.
Decent resupply at Haskins, also sell hot food (sandwiches)
Camping at the campground (across the street from Haskins) is free for PCT hikers
Bucks Lakeshore Resort is about ~0.7 up the road from the campground. It is sit-down food with beer on tap.
Tip: service and wifi is limited throughout Buck’s Lake.
Etna, CA
NOBO 1600.8
It is very luck of the draw on getting a hitch into town. Quite a few hikers arranged trail angel pick-ups but you must do this beforehand because there is no signal at the trailhead. The local park allows PCT hikers to tent for $5/night. While in town we recommend checking out:
Denny Bar Company, great pizza
Dotty’s, delicious and affordable burgers and fries
Dollar General for the cheapest resupply on trail yet!
Seiad Valley, CA
NOBO 1657.5
There is actually no avoiding Seiad Valley because the trail goes down the sidewalk! This inclusion is to highlight and recommend staying at Wildwood RV Resort.
Speedgoat’s FAVORITE town stay on trail
$15/tent camping including free cold shower. Laundry and hot showers at an additional fee
The owner grills dinner every night. It is decently priced and tasty. Tip: try to get there by 5 pm to put in your order
No description we can provide to truly capture the character of the place!
Ashland, OR
NOBO 1719.7
We didn’t stay in Ashland due to a change in our trail plans, but we loved it after spending most of the day there. There is a hostel located in the main downtown that is popular for thru hikers. Overall the town is very cute and foodie. Easily a town to take a zero or double zero. We can recommend the lunch buffet at House of India. You won’t be disappointed!
Bend, OR
NOBO 2001.9
You can hitch into Bend prior to the mileage listed above, that is where we got off. Bend is a town that can keep you occupied indefinitely. There are over 15 breweries and numerous restaurants. The one hostel is located close to downtown, but we found it a bit pricey. However, when we did pop in we were impressed by the atmosphere and vibe.
The unique thing to do in Bend is float the Deschutes River. It is a couple hour float with a minor, minor rapids section. You can even rent floats at the put in location.
Timberline Lodge, OR (Mount Hood)
NOBO 2099.6
You pass within 0.1 of the lodge from trail. They have a large lobby area complete with a fireplace and sofas so the charging possibilities are endless. Even better is the free camping allowed within a 5-minute walk. To be clear, there is NO resupply offer here, only hot food.
Breakfast buffet is a must.
Blue Ox Bar, cheapest hot food (pizza) in the lodge.
Found in the basement of the lodge and is very hiker friendly. Basically a dive bar for hikers.
Cascade Locks, OR
NOBO 2149.6
Not a good resupply, but the ice cream almost makes up for it! Eastwind Drive-in’s large ice cream is 12-inch cone. Also stop by Thirsty Coffee Bar for excellent coffee.
Trout Lake, WA
NOBO 2226.1
The “town” is a grocery store and two restaurants. The resupply at the store is phenomenal and they even offering tenting and laundry. Very hiker friendly town.
White’s Pass, WA
NOBO XX
Just a short jaunt down Highway 12 this gas station offers everything a hiker needs. There are showers, laundry, and tenting. Just behind the store they have a hiker hangout with charging, tables, and a huge hiker box. The only downside is
Leavenworth, WA
NOBO 2466.7
German inspired town with various beer gardens and brat stands. It is one of those places that you won’t believe until you are there. There is a grocery store on the far side of town for resupply. For hot food we recommend:
Muchen Haus for decently priced food with discount for thru hikers
Icicle Brewing
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