Shuttle Options

("If I could just get a ride to the trail!") Several options exist for snagging a shuttle. In order of increasing cost, they are:

♦ Key swap or joint hike with trail friends (Many of the BMT family live in the area and are accessible by email, even to non-BMTA-members.),

♦ Pre-arranged pickup and drop-off by trail friends,

♦ Free or low-cost rides provided by several businesses along the trail, especially when staying the night with them, purchasing supplies, etc.

♦ Commercial shuttle services.

(Hitchhiking can not be recommended.)

Riding With Friends

The BMTA maintains email lists which can be used to reach many in our trail community. Anyone not familiar with these is welcome to send us a note. Please be specific on times, dates and places. (The response is normally poor for general inquiries, such as 'I'm planning a hike some time in April...', so please be as specific as possible when requesting a shuttle. It also helps to plan well in advance. A few hikers have been successful in getting last-minute rides, but chances are best with a longer notice, preferably 3 - 6 weeks.

BMTA volunteers will forward any ride requests by email. (This service is free and offered without warranty.) The person making the request may set up arrangements with any respondents, as desired.

The Commercial Option

Much more reliable are the businesses along the trail that provide shuttles for a fee. Some of the inns will provide area shuttles at reduced cost, or even free, with stay. (Contact the individual merchant for their terms.) Some hikers have found that in paying for lodging, they get not only a room for the night, but a shuttle also.

Following is a list of the known businesses along the trail that provide shuttles. (See Resupply Details page for more info on several of these.) Please let us know if any others are discovered so that they may be posted here for the benefit of all shuttle-starved BMT hikers.

Happy Trails Shuttle and Guide Service
Adam McKinney
www.happytrailsguide.com
(770)823-8197
amckinney218@yahoo.com
Shuttle service.

The Hike Inn
Jeff and Nancy Hoch
www.thehikeinn.com
3204 Fontana Rd
Fontana Dam, NC 28733
828-479-3677
hikeinn@graham.main.nc.us
Free shuttle to and from the trail with overnight stay; inquire about others.
Access at: Mile 191.8, Twentymile Ranger Station; or Fontana Dam, from miles 196.4, Sassafras Gap at AT or mile 199.1, Eagle Creek Trail Intersection.

Standing Bear Farm (hostel)
Curtis Owen and Maria Guzman
http://standingbearfarm.tripod.com
4255 Green Corner Rd. (Waterville School Rd.)
Hartford, TN 37753
423-487-0014
cvowen@planetc.com
Free shuttle to and from the trail with overnight stay; inquire about others.
Access at: Mile 286.2, Big Creek Ranger Station; or mile 288.0, TN Hwy 32/NC 284, Davenport Gap, AT Intersection, BMT Northern Terminus.

Tennessee Overhill Sleep Inn
www.tennesseeoverhillsleepinn.com
600 North Tennessee Avenue (US Hwy 411)
Etowah, TN 37331
1-877-263-2906
info@tennesseeoverhillsleepinn.com
Free shuttle to and from the trail with overnight stay; inquire about others. Long-term parking available.
Access at: Mile 108.4, TN Hwy 30 at the Hiwassee River, (Reliance, Tennessee)

White House Bed and Breakfast
Mardee & Dan Kauffman
www.ocoee-whitehousebb.com
104 Main Street
Ducktown, Tennessee 37326
(423) 496-4166, reservations: (800) 775-4166
mardan@tds.net
Free shuttle to and from the trail with overnight stay; inquire about others.
Access at: Mile 91.3, US Hwy 64, Thunder Rock Campground/Ocoee Powerhouse #3, or Whitewater Center

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Long-distance hikers doing a resupply at Martin's Dixie Depot courtesy of DR