Mile 17.9, Georgia Hwy 60, Skeenah Creek

• Do not use Skeenah Creek as a water source.
• Small grocery, restaurant, and hardware store, Martin's Dixie Depot (0.3 mile to right)

Martin's Dixie Depot
24444 Morganton Hwy
Suches, GA 30572
(706)838-4776, Fax (706) 838-5454 or Email
Notes: Proprietors Dianne and Ron Martin welcome hikers of all stripes to their friendly country store, hardware supply and restaurant. They also carry some camping gear and supplies. (The flags are just for Dixie-themed decoration.)
Directions: Turn right on Hwy 60 (southbounders turn left) and walk 0.3 mile to store on right.
Services: Call to hold maildrops, restaurant, limited groceries and supplies, pay phone, soda machine

Skeenah Creek Campground
20 Skeenah Gap Rd.
Suches, GA 30572
706-838-5500, 770-761-5300, or Email
Notes: Scenic setting, friendly folks. Tent sites located beside the duck pond, behind the mill dam.
Directions: Turn left on Hwy 60 (southbounders turn right) and walk 0.5 mile to store at Skeenah Creek Rd.
Services: Camping, hot showers, laundry, vending machines, pay phone

 Mile 36.4, Shallowford Bridge at Aska Road

• Restaurant, small camp store, Moonshine Hollow Trading Co. (0.1 mile to right on BMT)
• Restaurant, Shallowford River Shack (0.1 mile to right on BMT)
• Restaurant (0.3 mile to right on BMT)
• Blue Ridge GA (6.4 miles to right)

Moonshine Hollow Trading Co.

Shallowford River Shack
8366 Aska Road
Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513
706-258-3663 or Email
Notes: A favorite of rafters, kayakers and hikers.
Closed: Wednesdays. See their website for current hours of operation.
Directions: After crossing bridge, turn right on Aska Road and follow BMT 0.1 mile to restaurant on left. (Southbounders turn right on Aska Rd at intersection with Stanley Creek Rd and follow BMT 0.3 mile to restaurant on right.)
Services: Pay phone, meals to order

Restaurant

Blue Ridge, GA

 Mile 45.9, Weaver Creek Road

• Various services in Blue Ridge, GA (5 miles to right on Weaver Creek Rd, then left on Aska Rd)

Blue Ridge, GA

Notes: Access to Blue Ridge, if needed. Closest approach is from GA 515/US 76 crossing, below. (See that entry for more information.) This is a second alternate way into Blue Ridge.
Directions: Where BMT emerges from forest and turns left onto Weaver Creek Road (dirt), leave BMT by turning right and go 3.7 miles to first stop sign, T-intersection with Aska Rd. Turn left (north) and follow Aska Rd 1.0 mile to dead-end stop sign on East 1st Street. Turn left and go 0.25 mile, passing Ace Hardware Store. Turn right onto Access Road at three-way stop sign and find grocery store on right. Across parking lot on left is Village Restaurant with all-you-can-eat country cooking.
Services: Post Office (PO), hotels, grocery stores, restaurants

 Mile 48.5, Georgia Hwy 515/US Hwy 76

• Gas Station and convenience store, Chevron (1.1 mile to right)
• Restaurant, Pink Pig (2.1 mile to left)
• Post Office, Cherrylog, GA (2.4 miles to left)
• Various services in Blue Ridge, GA (4.5 miles to right)*

Chevron gas station and convenience store

Notes: further information pending
Directions: Turn right (southbounders turn left) and proceed north on 4-lane divided Hwy 515/76 a distance of 1.1 miles to store on right.
Services: Limited supplies, pay phone, microwave meals, drinks

Pink Pig restaurant

824 Cherry Log St.
Cherrylog, GA 30522
(706) 276-3311
Notes: A long-time favorite of the BMTA crew in Georgia for both the garlic salad and the barbeque. Open Thursday - Sunday.
Closed: Monday-Wednesday
Directions: Turn left (southbounders turn right) and proceed south on 4-lane divided Hwy 515/76 a distance of 1.9 miles to access ramp on left. (Pass Cherry Log Street at 1.1 mile; ramp is next paved road.) Proceed 300 feet down ramp to road intersection. For Pink Pig, turn left and go 0.1 mile.
Services: Meals

Cherry Log:  Add  L& A Corner Grocery Store, across the street from Pink Pig.  706-635-8851. M - Sat. 6 - 6.  Good Grill!  Friendly owners.  ST resupply possible.

Post Office: Cherrylog, GA

300 Cherry Log St
Cherrylog, GA 30522
706-635-2705
Notes: Counter service Mon-Fri, 7:30 AM-4:30 PM and Sat 7:30 AM-11:30AM. There is no store in this community
Directions: Follow instructions to last road intersection for Pink Pig, above. For PO, turn right and go 0.4 mi to PO on left.
Services: PO

Blue Ridge, GA

US Post Office
165 Depot St
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706-632-2721
Notes: Blue Ridge is a town of moderate size with most services needed by long-distance hikers.
Directions: Turn right (southbounders turn left) and proceed north on 4-lane divided Hwy 515/76 a distance of 4.5 miles into town.
Services: PO, hotels, grocery stores, restaurants

 Mile 71.7, Watson Gap

• Small grocery store, Jack's River Country Store (4.0 miles to right)

Jack's River Country Store

5991 Highway 2
Epworth, GA. 30541
706-258-2160
Proprietor is Rosemary Willmot
Notes:  We are 4 miles from Watson Gap in the Cohuttas.  If anyone is interested in further information re: shipments for thru hikers which can be delivered to Watson Gap, replenishment supply delivery, etc. please call.  Alternate numbers 706-258-8680 or 706-258-3221.
Directions: Turn right (southbounders turn left) on Old GA 2 and proceed east 4.0 miles to store on right. (Reach blacktop at approx. 1 mile.)
Services: Limited groceries and supplies

 Mile 91.4, US Hwy 64, Thunder Rock Campground/Ocoee Powerhouse #3

• Olympic Whitewater Center (1.1 mile to right)
• B&B, White House Bed and Breakfast (8 miles to right but will shuttle with stay)
• Various services in Ducktown, TN (8 miles to right)

Olympic Whitewater Center
4400 Hwy. 64
Copperhill TN 37317
(877) 692-6050, Fax: (423) 496-1515
Notes: Run by the US Forest Service, this stop is recommended even if just passing through. See website for hours of operation.
Directions: Turn right on Hwy 64 (southbounders turn left) and walk 1.1 mile to Whitewater Center on right.
Services: Pay phone, water, soda and vending machines

White House Bed and Breakfast
104 Main Street
Ducktown, Tennessee 37326
(423) 496-4166, reservations: (800) 775-4166 or Email
Notes: Innkeepers Mardee & Dan Kauffman welcome hikers. They will hold a mail drop and provide shuttle from/to the trail with overnight stay.
Directions: Located in Ducktown, TN, 8 miles to right. If staying, it is possible to walk to the Whitewater Center and call for a shuttle.
Services: Call to hold maildrops or for shuttle (with stay), laundry, some meals included

Ducktown, TN

US Post Office
1656 Highway 68
Ducktown, TN 37326
423-496-5467
Notes: Ducktown is a small town with most services needed by long-distance hikers.
Directions: Turn right (southbounders turn left) and proceed east on 4-lane divided Hwy 64 a distance of 8 miles into town.
Services: PO, Grocery Store, Gas Stations, Motel, Restaurants

 Mile 108.5, Wooden Railroad Trestle Underpass

• Outfitter, Hiwassee Scenic River Outfitters (On BMT)

Hiwassee Outfitters
PO Box 62
Reliance, TN 37369
423-338-8115 or Email
Notes: Business is seasonal and peaks on weekends, especially warm weather holidays.
Directions: Just before passing under trestle, bear right into store/campground office.
Services: Call to hold maildrops, campstore with limited groceries and supplies, pay phone, showers, lodging in bunkhouse or cabins, campground, rafting

 Mile 109.0, Hwy 30 at Hiwassee River Bridge

Outfitter, Webb Brothers Store & Float Service (On BMT)

Hiwassee Angler. www.hiwasseeangler.com.  Dean Tullock, manager. Seasonal.  Call ahead for days and hours.  Will hold maildrops sent UPS.  423-338-8500.  179 Tellico Reliance Rd., Reliance, TN 37369.  Cabin rental available.

Webb Brothers Store and Float Service
Box 61
Reliance, TN 37369
Phone: 423-338-2373, 877-932-7238 or Email
Notes: Open year-round. Business peaks on weekends, especially warm weather holidays.
Directions: Where turning right (left for southbounders) at TN Hwy 30 on south side of bridge over Hiwassee River, walk a few paces into store.
Services: Call to hold maildrops, small store, pay phone, soda machine

CLOSED - Tennessee Overhill Sleep Inn
600 North Tennessee Avenue (US Hwy 411)
Etowah, TN 37331

 Mile 123.8, Tennessee Hwy 68

• Coker Creek Welcome Center and Post Office (4.5 miles to left) [See next entry.]

 Mile 128.5, Unicoi Gap on TN/NC State Line

• Coker Creek Welcome Center and Post Office (3.0 miles to left)*

Coker Creek Welcome Center
US Post Office
12197 New Hwy 68
Coker Creek, TN 37314
423-261-2286 or Email
Notes: Friendly folks welcome hikers. It is possible to walk the historic Unicoi Turnpike Trail part way into town; it adds only a few tenths of a mile.
Directions: Turn left (southbounders turn right) and follow gravel Joe Brown Hwy to intersection of TN Hwy 68. Visitor center is on corner.
Services: Call to hold maildrops, gift shop with very limited snacks, soda machine, pay phone

 Mile 151.3, Tellico River Rd, FS 210

• Motel and small store, Green Cove Motel, Green Cove, TN (1.4 miles to left)

Green Cove Motel

2870 River Rd
Tellico Plains, TN 37385
423-253-2069
Notes: Long-time owners, William and Katherine Crowe, welcome hikers. Becoming a must-stay location on the BMT. Possible shuttle back to trail.
Directions: Turn left (southbounders turn right) and follow Tellico River Rd 1.4 miles to Green Cove Motel on left.
Services: Call to hold maildrops, lodging, limited groceries and supplies, pay phone, microwave meals, soda machines

 Mile 183.1, US 129, Bridge at Cheoah Dam

• Services (0.4 miles to right) [Further information pending.]

 Mile 189.0, Intersection of NC Hwy 28 & US Hwy 129

• Gas station (on BMT) [This listing for information only. Not recommended for hiker use.]

 Mile 191.8, Twentymile Ranger Station, Smokies

• Potable water from faucet in season

 Mile 197.0, Sassafras Gap at AT Intersection

• Fontana Dam (4.5 miles to right on AT) [3000 ft elevation difference makes next entry preferable.]

 Mile 200.0, Lakeshore Trail Intersection

• Fontana Dam with access to store, lodging and other local services (5.8 miles to right)*

Fontana Dam Visitor Center
Notes: Use pay phone on outside of building to call for shuttle to either Fontana Village or The Hike Inn. (See phone numbers below.)
Heed posted warnings about water quality and don't drink it. Drinking fountains have been shut down. (One hiker tested positive for Hepatitis B after drinking water out of sink faucet.)
Directions: Turn right (southbounders turn left) and follow Eagle Creek Trail 5.8 miles to Fontana Dam Visitor's Center.
Services: Pay phone, hot showers

Fontana Village
800-849-2258, 828-498-2211 or Email
Notes: Call for $1 shuttle.
Directions: Fontana Village is located 1.2 miles up dam access road to NC 28, then right 2 miles to office on left. Not recommended for walking due to hazards of narrow curvy road.
Services: PO, lodging, meals, limited groceries and supplies, laundry

US Post Office

Fontana Dam, NC 28733
828-498-2315
Notes: Located in Fontana Village

The Hike Inn
3204 Fontana Rd
Fontana Dam, NC 28733
828-479-3677 or Email
Notes: Call from phone at Fontana Dam Visitor Center for free shuttle (with stay). Open Feb 15 - Dec 1 or call.
Directions: The Hike Inn is located 1.2 miles up dam access road to NC 28, then left 6 miles to inn on left. Not recommended for walking due to hazards of narrow curvy road.
Services: Maildrops free for guests, $30 otherwise; phone; laundry with stay, shuttles to trailheads and other points

 Mile 254.4, US 441, Smokemont Campground

• Potable water at campground in season (0.2 miles to left)
• Various services in Cherokee, NC (6 miles to right on US Hwy 441)

US Post Office

671 Tsali Blvd
Cherokee, NC 28719
828-497-3891
Notes: Cherokee, NC is a town of moderate size with most services needed by long-distance hikers.
Directions: Turn right (southbounders turn left) and find Cherokee 6 miles straight ahead on US Hwy 441.
Services: PO, hotels, grocery stores, restaurants, laundry

 Mile 287.5, (TN Hwy 32/NC 284), Davenport Gap, AT Intersection, BMT Northern Terminus

• Hostel with most hiker services, including shuttles.

Standing Bear Farm (hostel)
4255 Green Corner Rd. (Waterville School Rd.)
Hartford, TN 37753
423-487-0014 or Email
Notes: Call for free shuttle from Big Creek Ranger Station (on BMT) or walk there on the AT (about 4 miles further). Will shuttle to/from bus station / rental car in Waynesville, NC or airports in Knoxville or Asheville. (For longer shuttles, please call in advance.)
Directions: From BMT northern terminus at Davenport Gap, continue north on AT 2.4 miles, turn left on gravel road (second crossing) and go 200 yards to the white farmhouse.
Services: Offers nearly all hiker services, shuttles to trailheads and other points

BMTA Home   Contact Us   Site Map   Events   Membership Info

All content copyright © 2003-2010 by Benton MacKaye Trail Association, Inc. All rights reserved.
First Worktrip on the Extension Feb 04 photo courtesy of Betty Petty