During the NOBO hiker season, Macon County Transit runs a regularly scheduled, paid shuttle to Winding Stair Gap and Rock Gap. Take the shuttle to the gazebo in the center of town, then walk .4 miles up the hill to our hostel. If the county transit isn’t running, contact a local shuttle driver or trail angel, or practice hitching skills into town - our Appalachian Trail Community is always happy to help thru-hikers! If you need a shuttle from somewhere other than Rock Gap or Winding Stair Gap, we offer paid shuttles from other road crossings in the area.

We recommend making your reservation 1-4 days before your arrival in Franklin. All stays are by reservation only. We do not accept reservations further than 4 days prior to arrival during hiker season. During the “bubble” in late March, it’s a good idea to make your reservation as you’re leaving your last resupply to ensure you get a spot during the busy season. Text us at 828-346-7657 to reserve your bunk or private room.

We have limited parking available for $5 a day. Please text us at 828-346-7657 in advance to make your reservation.

We do not accept resupply boxes. Instead, we’ll happily shuttle you to a local grocery store or one of our two local outfitters for free with your stay. Outdoor 76, however, does accept resupply boxes. Visit their website for more information.

Of course! Our slackpacking services cover you from Deep Gap to the NOC. Text us at 828-346-7657 to check availability, especially if early in the hiking season as many roads will be seasonally closed. These are just a few of the sections we offer:

Deep Gap to Albert Mountain: 17.3 miles

Albert Mountain to Winding Stair Gap: 10.4 miles

Winding Stair Gap to Wayah Bald fire tower: 9.6 miles

Wayah Bald fire tower to Tellico Gap: 9.3 miles

Tellico Gap to NOC: 8.1 miles

Shuttle pickups and slackpacks are possible at Deep Gap, Mooney Gap, Albert Mountain, Rock Gap, Winding Stair Gap, Wayah Gap, Wayah Bald, Burningtown Gap, Tellico Gap, and the NOC when seasonal roads are open, so please feel free to inquire about a custom slackpacking route aside from the others listed above.

While we love dogs and love being foster paw-rents to our own, we aren’t able to allow other dogs in our hostel. Registered service animals are welcome to stay.

The Grove is our home, which also happens to be a hostel. Please be mindful of other guests when staying with us. We want all the guests in our home to have a restful stay, so we have policies that include: quiet hours from 9:30pm-6:30am, no alcohol allowed on the property, and others. Click here to read all of our policies.