Allow our 1940’s Cape Cod welcome you to the neighborhood through its “open arms.” The Shenandoah River rock and curved staircases create a unique entrance to our calm and pleasant home. We welcome visitors from all over who are in Luray for a variety of reasons: hiking, biking, running, and touring the local sites. Our shared space community allows you to meet and interact with new people and make new friends. We are a pet friendly facility… for well-behaved dogs. Hiker-dogs get showers, too. We even provide the shampoo!
We are your full service contact for ALL hostel, slackpack, and logistical needs for hiking the Appalachian Trail, enjoying Shenandoah National Park, floating the Shenandoah River, and cycling and running in Central Virginia.
Our hostel provides lodging for hikers, bickers, and other visitors to Luray.
Rest in our comfortable hostel, take a shower, meet other hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, cook your own food in the kitchen or walk to nearby restaurants.
The hostel is located at 1260 East Main Street – 8 miles West of the Appalachian Trail in Luray, Virginia.
Since we are a traveler’s hostel, we do not allow locals, no exceptions. The hostel reserves the right to refuse any patron at any time for any reason.
Common area with many streaming services, DVD’s, board games, and books
- Wi-Fi and computer with internet free to guests
- Large front and back porches
- Fire pit in the backyard
- Restaurants are .7 miles from the hostel
- 1.5 miles from the downtown, including the local library, post office, and more restaurants
- Storage building and basement areas for bikes
- Parking is available on-site
- Mail drops: Free to guests; $2 fee otherwise
Twin Beds – $40 cash/ $41 card/person per night
- We provide all bed linens, pillows and blankets.
- Each room is stocked with bath towels, hand towels, washcloths.
- Basic hygiene products are in the bathroom.
- Morning coffee or tea is available.
Camping – $25 cash/ $26 card/person per night
- We have limited camping sites on the property.
- Fee includes access to showers and kitchen.
- Towels are provided.
Showers included w/ stay or $3 a la carte
- Showers are included with overnight stays.
- We also offer showers for people just passing through.
- Showers are $3.00/person and include towel and soap.
Internet
There is a “community” computer available with internet access so you can check/send email or take care of any other business before hitting the trail. Wireless internet is also available.
While there is no time limit for computer usage, please be considerate of other guests who also want to use this service.
Trains
Luray is a train town. We can’t get away from them. The hostel is across the street from train tracks. Cargo trains do run at all hours and most night conductors are courteous of sleepers. However, there is a cross over about 300 yards from the hostel. Since safety is of utmost importance, the whistle blows in front of the hostel when trains are traveling out of town.
Kitchen Facilities
- We have a full kitchen for guests to use.
- It is stocked with dishes, glasses, silverware, and cookware.
- All we ask is that you completely clean up after yourself for the next person.
- There is also a refrigerator where you can keep that leftover pizza, or if you’re staying for a few days, stock up on groceries.
Laundry – $5 a la cart
- We provide laundry services for guests. Laundry (wash/dry/detergent) is $5 per load.
- Shared loads are permissible.
Pets
Well-mannered, house-broken and “relatively” clean dogs are allowed in the main hostel building. Dogs may be bathed in The Cave shower… dog shampoo is provided.
- Please keep your dog under control at all times.
- Dogs may not be left at the hostel unsupervised.
- The dog-owner is solely responsible for the actions of his/her dog.
- If any damage is done to the hostel or other hikers’ gear, compensation will be expected.
- We are owned by 2 cats that are tolerant of well-mannered dogs, so please keep that in mind.
Just steps from the Appalachian Trail, the spacious 1847 Main House and cozy “Cabbin” have been thoughtfully rehabilitated. There are stories everywhere you turn, and everyone is welcome!
All Hikers are Welcome!
Whether you are thu-hiking, section hiking, day hiking or just thinking about hiking, we’ve got you covered! Check out the directions and services on this page, and contact us to reserve your spot!
On-site Hiker services:
With your “Hostel” stay, you get: a bed, hot breakfast, shower, loaner clothes, and rides to/from town. You may also decide to upgrade to a private room. Please see our Rooms and Rates.
Extras: laundry, pizza, ice cream, snacks, and mailing out packages.
Free: boot dryers, hiker box, free cheese and other food donated to us, clothes line, loaner clothes, WiFi, phone recharging, package receipt and storage, water, tea, juice, access to local maps, hiking books, and advice.
How to get here…
Put 3471 Remount Road, Front Royal, Virginia, into your GPS, and…
Walk in – We are just 120 steps/yards off the Appalachian Trail! At mile 972 from Springer Mountain, just 1/4-mile southeast of the Route 522 trail crossing, where the trail turns away from the road, there is a “Gate 7” sign at the road. We are 120 steps/yards from that sign.
Drive in – Guests park free and hikers are welcome to leave a vehicle here while they hike – $4/day. Our driveway is directly across from Route 718/Lake Front Road, then take a right at the fork in the driveway.
Bicycle – We have inside overnight storage for your bicycles, if needed.
Bus – We will pick up and drop off for free at the Virginia Breeze Valley Flyer bus stop near Walmart. Please contact us at least a day in advance.
Shuttle – Please contact us for a short list of shuttlers who can shuttle you up and down the trail regionally. As we get the OK from shuttlers, we will post their contact information here as well. Uber and Lyft are not readily available.
Small family farm and hiker hostel just outside Elkton, VA in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, just moments from Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail. Listing of our services, amenities and pricing for overnight hostel stays.
Small Axe Farms sits on 75 acres of land in Virginia’s beautiful and historic Shenandoah Valley. Bisected by Elk Run, which flows from Shenandoah National Park to the Shenandoah River, the property is half rolling pasture and half wooded hills.
We open the doors for our fourth season on April 1st, 2024, and look forward to a busy and fulfilling season supporting the AT Class of 2024 and all others who enjoy the great outdoors! As 2018 thru hikers, we know what hikers need. We invite you to stop in for a stay in our log cabin home. We, David and Danielle, (Texas and Stumbles) have transformed the lower level of our home into a place where hikers can relax and recharge. Spend time on one of our decks, get cozy on one of the couches in our common area, and sink into one of our memory foam beds at the end of the day, all linens provided. We’ll pick you up in “Big Blue” and take you home for a hot shower, laundry, resupply and dinner run, and send you on your way the next morning after eating a hiker sized hot breakfast. We are excited to meet the class of 2024!
