Appalachian Zen Adventures & Gooder Grove Hostel welcome you “back home” to nature, to explore the many trails winding through the lush Nantahala National Forest & the Great Smoky Mountains. Or paddle, fish or play in the area’s streams, rivers and lakes.
Explore cabins and lodging options in Bryson City, perfectly positioned adjacent to both the Nantahala National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Situated near the Nantahala River, Appalachian Trail, Fontana Lake, and beyond, NOC’s sprawling 500-acre campus caters to all types of overnight guests.
Whether you’re a family on vacation, a solo adventurer, a student attending courses, a thru-hiker, or part of a larger group, you’ll find suitable accommodations ranging from private to shared options, complete with onsite amenities such as dining, shopping, educational courses, and a plethora of activities in Bryson City, North Carolina!
At NOC’s Nantahala Adventure Resort, you’ll discover everything necessary for both brief visits and extended stays in the mountains. Choose from private cabins and bungalows, micro-lodge style rooms, campsites, and more, all conveniently located close to the river, lake, and trails.
The Appalachian Trail-er has space for ten and is located on the A.T. in beautiful Hot Springs, North Carolina. True to its name, the Trail-er is a 1,600+ square foot converted double wide that serves as a basecamp for all manner of BRHC trips, as well as a bunkhouse for hikers, backpackers, trail runners and paddlers. Reservations should be made in advance at 828-622-3319, as walk-ups are based on availability and the caretaker’s schedule. The Trail-er has a small retail counter with limited backpacking supplies and BRHC merch.Bookings include a clean bunk with linens, a hot shower, wifi, TV, kitchen access, and all the amenities Hot Springs has to offer. The Trail-er is also available for private group rentals. We look forward to hosting you in Hot Springs!
Gear and logistics are the two biggest hurdles that keep people from backpacking more often. With a selection of rental gear, shuttle services, and trip planning services, the Appalachian Trail-er offers a quick fix for both. Trip planning services include detailed trip itineraries, information about campsite locations, meal plans, etc.
We rent packs, tents, sleeping bags and pads, trekking poles, camp stoves, cookware, first aid kits, water filters, you name it. We also sell trail maps and have meal packages available (with advanced reservations). Just bring your clothes, toiletries, and personal items and you’re good to go!
To access the Appalachian Trail from the Trail-er… just walk out the front door! Or take a shuttle. Our seven passenger 4WD vehicle can take you anywhere you want to go within a two-hour radius, with the most popular trailheads being Max Patch (20 trail miles south), Davenport Gap (36 trail miles south, at the north end of the Smokies), and Allen Gap (15 trail miles north). From there, hike back to the Trail-er or schedule a pick-up! For info, rates, and availability, call 828-713-5451.
The Cabins in the Woods is a gorgeous property nestled above Stecoah Valley just off NC-28. With some of the most spectacular scenery in Western North Carolina, we are situated in the center of all the outdoor activities you could want. The views are fantastic, and the laid back atmosphere makes your cares float away on a gentle mountain breeze.
Beautiful vacation cabins and Hiker Haven in NC near Tail of The Dragon, The Cherohala Skyway, and Nantahala Gorge. 2 miles from the AT with free pick up and drop off at Stecoah Gap. Hiker Haven with hot showers and breakfast.
We are a hiker hostel dedicated to offering outstanding support for Trail Families of 1 to 4 hikers.
The Grove Hostel is owned and operated by thru-hikers Newfound & Unfiltered, and is located in Franklin, North Carolina: AT mile 110. Franklin, NC was the very first ATC-designated Appalachian Trail Community. We are the only hostel within walking distance of downtown Franklin, where you can find a well-equipped outfitter, breweries, restaurants, and more.
Our bunks and private rooms are available by reservation only. Please text us at 828-346-7657 prior to arrival to check availability.
If thru-hiking, you can make reservations between 1-4 days prior to arrival to leave room for unanticipated delays. If you’re driving into town to section hike, you can reserve as early as you’d like.
Laundry, showers, and daily, scheduled shuttles to resupply, and return to trail shuttles to Winding Stair Gap and Rock Gap are included.
Bunks are $45/night plus tax
Our private rooms start at $80/night plus tax
n 2013, Greg and Jen left the corporate world where work more, make more, spend more was the mantra, and moved to Costa Rica. They became experts on the country and each wrote Amazon best selling books on the subject of chucking it all and moving abroad. You can find Jen’s Amazon Author Page here and Greg’s Amazon Author Page here. Jen also has a successful jewelry business, which was established in Costa Rica (and since has incorporated adventure hiking jewelry!).
After 4 years of enjoying Costa Rica and a new fondness for hiking in the mountains of the Central Valley where they lived, the couple decided it was time for a new adventure. What could be better than spending 6 months living in the woods and hiking the entire Appalachian Trail?
Starting on Springer Mountain, Georgia on March 22, 2017 and ending on Mount Katahdin, Maine on September 16, 2017 their thru-hike was THE adventure of a lifetime! Along the way they became known by their trail names Chica and Sunsets, and documented their journey daily on their YouTube channel Chica and Sunsets.
Since the AT, the couple has thru-hiked the Camino de Santiago, Bartram, Colorado, Ice Age, Foothills, Art Loeb, and New England trails (as well as the Tahoe Rim Trail and Benton MacKaye trails individually) – all documented on YouTube.
In 2020 they opened Chica & Sunsets Hostel for hikers hiking the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail, which they ran for 5 successful years and had a blast giving back to the hiking community.
