The Grove Hostel

04/11/2026

04/08/2026

Coming and going:

To and fro,
Up and down,
Whether fast or slow
They stop in town!

03/30/2026

They're coming!

By the droves,
they swarm the bus
to stop at the Grove,
and visit us!

They click and clack,
with shuffles and scoots,
up the drive,
to dry their boots.

They tumble in,
and sprawl all out,
to wash their feet,
and stuff their snout.

They tidy up,
and full their sacks,
happy and warm,
they hit their racks.

They wake quite early,
excited for more,
to hike this Trail,
that we all adore

03/15/2026

Enjoy the ease of being together at in

03/12/2026

Don’t Miss One of the Most Festive Stretches of the AT!

From the first day of spring through Earth Day, Franklin, NC annually hosts a multi‑week celebration of the Appalachian Trail and its hikers.

Local businesses put on a series of events and gatherings, all with free food for hikers and many with music and games!

Make plans to experience the hospitality of the first designated Appalachian Trail Community — and truly celebrate your first 110 miles 🥾

03/07/2026

And so the miles are bringing together the

03/06/2026

03/05/2026

We have lotions. And toothpaste.

And the most amazing guests ❤️

Thank you for choosing us, Black Bear!

Lots of people think I cheated when I tell them I gave myself my trail name. I always follow it with, “Well, I can do and say silly things without thinking and I didn’t want to be named for it. This morning is one of those.

This amazing hostel The Grove Hostel has everything a hiker needs. After showering I decided to use some of the lotions. I grabbed a tube that was almost empty - thought I would be conservative and use up a partial.

I sat in the chair in my room and emptied the contents into my palms thinking, this smells and feels amazing and began massaging my aching calves. Something didn’t feel quite right though. Yup, I had just moisturized my legs with toothpaste. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Off to the shower for a second time this morning. Can’t be all minty fresh and sleep in bear country tonight. And that’s why I will forever be Black Bear.

Lesson learned: use my glasses when choosing unfamiliar products.

03/01/2026

Here they come, and there they go! Keeping hikers flowing down the trail!

02/25/2026

Voted a “top 5” restaurant on the Appalachian Trail by 2025 thru hikers!

https://thetrek.co/the-2025-appalachian-trail-thru-hiker-survey-general-information-part-2/

It’s our favorite time of year! Hiker season is here!

APPALACHIAN TRAIL HIKERS: Don’t forget to sign our banner on your stop into town! 🥾🍻📍⛰️