View Full Version : Hot Springs, NC
Dialeight44
12-16-2008, 23:13
I have heard so many goo things about this trail town; should I take an off day here to experience the town? What should I not miss? Is the rafting worth it? Where is the best place to stay?
TIA
Dialeight44
Elmers is a cool place to stay. Ain't much to town. If you want to raft then take a day off, but otherwise depends on how you feel, but its a nice place if you do.
I think it is a great town to take a day in only because the Smokies are done. I guess some people might take their day at Standing Bear these days. It's a great town cos it is small, has an outfitter, restaurants, access to beer, cheap hotel and post office. Not sure I did anything there, tho some do the hot springs. Unless you go into Gatlinburg, you have come a long way since Fontana and a day off seems about right. It is a good little town at the right time.
I stayed a few days extra when I was lucky enough to fall into a job powerwashing the outside of the Magnolia Inn.
Best place to get a ride to Asheville, NC. I spent a week in Asheville this year with friends. Hot Springs itself was kinda boring, but we did get there on a dead day.
Tennessee Viking
12-17-2008, 01:11
Bluff Mtn Outfitters and Elmers. Elmers is definitely one of the friendliest hostels on the trail. But if you are a meat eater, you might want to go grocery shopping. Elmers provides vegetarian meals, but they are supposed to be out of this world.
If you have time to kill, you can soak your toes at the spa.
Serial 07
12-17-2008, 01:19
if you want to stay at elmers, make a reservation from standing bear...they are known for their vegetarian cuisine...there are some cheap cabins by the river that fit between 4 and 8 people...they are nothing special, but when a group gets together, it can be pretty cheap...i can't remember the name of the breakfast joint over by the dollar general, but the food there is good and comes in "hiker-friendly" portions...i've taken a zero there both of my hikes, but that doesn't mean it's necessary...i would give this town, on my next thru attempt, a near O in and a near O out...
Greentick18d
12-17-2008, 01:56
Smokey Mountain Diner?
Dialeight44
12-17-2008, 02:14
Thanks for all of the information, I greatly appreciate it. I will probably take a zero here and check it out. I like quaint. Any other hostels along the way I shouldn't miss?
Dialeight44
Any other hostels along the way I shouldn't miss?Blueberry Patch, Kincora, Camp Dodge at Pinkham Notch (not really a hostel, only work for stay)
Dialeight44
12-17-2008, 02:26
Is the Blueberry Patch better than the Trout Farm? I am getting different opinions from past hikers. I will be staying at Kincora.
Dialeight44
Nearly Normal
12-17-2008, 02:45
Hot Springs is the Ideal VERY small town........ My idea of a good place to set on the porch and drink wiskey......counting cars and hikers pass by.
Good southern black bear population.
Lone Wolf
12-17-2008, 07:23
Bluff Mtn Outfitters and Elmers. Elmers is definitely one of the friendliest hostels on the trail. But if you are a meat eater, you might want to go grocery shopping. Elmers provides vegetarian meals, but they are supposed to be out of this world.
If you have time to kill, you can soak your toes at the spa.
Elmer's is not a hostel. far from it
Elmer's is not a hostel. far from it
I'll agree with LW, but still it is a good place to stay for a day if you want. Plus Frank and Brians place is hiker friendly as well. Gina, who owns Smoky Mt Diner will make sure you are over filled with some good eats. Go to the hot springs and get a good warm soaking, or a massage if you must. If you don't want to do a raft trip you can rent a canoe depending on the time of year you are through there. Do some slack packing while you are there if you don't really feel like lying around town for a day. The library has Internet and I think Bluff Mt Outfitters still let people rent the 'puter for a small fee, also Dan or Wayne makes a good cup of coffee to wake up to there.
Hot Springs is a very good town to hang out in.
Jim Adams
12-17-2008, 09:01
If you are going to raft, do a trip on the Nolichucky. It is far better whitewater than the French Broad. The French Broad only has 2 very good rapids, Needles and Frank Bell's and they are the last 2 just above town. I ended up staying in Hot Springs for 10 days in 1990 working as a raft guide. You can also just enjoy town as it is one of the coolest towns on the AT and raft the Nolichucky in Erwin.
geek
generoll
12-17-2008, 09:11
probably old news, but the Paddlers Pub is closed. I'll miss the Bison Burgers.
Jim Adams
12-17-2008, 09:29
probably old news, but the Paddlers Pub is closed. I'll miss the Bison Burgers.
THAT SUCKS!:mad:
geek
Lone Wolf
12-17-2008, 09:52
THAT SUCKS!:mad:
geek
why? it was way overpriced
flemdawg1
12-17-2008, 11:51
If you are going to raft, do a trip on the Nolichucky. It is far better whitewater than the French Broad. The French Broad only has 2 very good rapids, Needles and Frank Bell's and they are the last 2 just above town. I ended up staying in Hot Springs for 10 days in 1990 working as a raft guide. You can also just enjoy town as it is one of the coolest towns on the AT and raft the Nolichucky in Erwin.
geek
So are you the "geek" from Model T's book? Is the cat still alive?
SmokyMtn Hiker
12-17-2008, 12:02
Nice SMALL town, worth taking a day off to relax in. I assume you are passing through during the spring to fall season because I think some of the businesses are open seasonally.
Slo-go'en
12-17-2008, 12:46
Elmers is like a museum inside. Makes you want to tip toe around and whisper. Its worth taking a tour, even if you don't stay there. Definetly unique. He thinks cell phone chargers draw a lot of electricity, so he has ban them from use in his place. The real problem is the 19th century electrical system in that old place.
Just Plain Jim
12-17-2008, 13:30
Hot Springs has it's own website.:welcome
Hot Springs, what a concept!
Almost There
12-18-2008, 10:38
I agree with Wolf, $23 ribeye??? $8 burger??? RIP Paddler's Pub! Maybe someone will open up a place with fair prices. Hot Springs to me is a get in/get out town. Stop in at the outfitters, and maybe the post office, but I came in with an injured friend, and our wallets got raped. Most expensive night I've spent on the trail. This includes hiking throughout the south, and Maine.
Lone Wolf
12-18-2008, 10:42
Hot Springs, what a concept!
usta be. now you pay to sit in a hot tub with chlorinated, pumped-in hot spring water
flemdawg1
12-18-2008, 11:01
I agree with Wolf, $23 ribeye??? $8 burger??? RIP Paddler's Pub! Maybe someone will open up a place with fair prices. Hot Springs to me is a get in/get out town. Stop in at the outfitters, and maybe the post office, but I came in with an injured friend, and our wallets got raped. Most expensive night I've spent on the trail. This includes hiking throughout the south, and Maine.
It's a pub, wadaya expect a dollar menu!? The burgers were excellent, especially after a few days on the trail, and they had a very nice selection of drafts.
Dirtbag on gear, not food.
A nice place to camp is Creek ridge camping (http://www.creekridgecamping.com/camping.html), they have shelters.
Local outfitter will slack you north or south. Great way to spend an extra night in a real nice trailtown!!
generoll
12-18-2008, 14:03
usta be. now you pay to sit in a hot tub with chlorinated, pumped-in hot spring water
Huh?
I thought they piped in the water directly from the spring. Is this something new or were they lying to me?
Jack Tarlin
12-18-2008, 14:04
Wow, sorry to hear all the carping about Hot Springs, which is one of my favorite Trail towns.
If one wants to eat well and inexpensively there, I suggest you stick to the diner, where I've never had a bad meal.
And Paddler's may be open next year under new management. There's also going to be a new place called the Iron Horse, which I don't know anything about.
But seriously, condemning the whole town as a rip-off place is more than a little unfair.
A nice place to camp is Creek ridge camping (http://www.creekridgecamping.com/camping.html), they have shelters.The owners of Creek Ridge, Keith and Melissa are friends of mine, great folks who own a wonderful little quiet campground. They treat everyone like family!
flemdawg1
12-18-2008, 18:00
The owners of Creek Ridge, Keith and Melissa are friends of mine, great folks who own a wonderful little quiet campground. They treat everyone like family!
WOAH!! Well for >$50/nt for a family of 5 they won't be seeing mine.
Jim Adams
12-18-2008, 19:03
So are you the "geek" from Model T's book? Is the cat still alive?
Yeah, that's me.
No, Ziggy is gone...Dec. 29, 1993.
The pub was about the most expensive place in Hot Springs but I never felt that it was far out of line for what you got and the friendliness and atmosphere.
If you think that Hot Springs is expensive......don't hike the PCT!!!! You cannot get a burger...ANY BURGER out there for less than $10-$12.
It is definitely one of my favorite trail towns although I do think that the campground is way overpriced.
geek
CrumbSnatcher
12-18-2008, 19:14
Smokey Mountain Diner?you know it, one of my favorite diners along the trail. and lou's diner in hanover N.H. smokey mtn. diner is right across the street from elmers.
CrumbSnatcher
12-18-2008, 19:18
why? it was way overpriced
better food at the smokey mtn. diner and alot cheaper overall hot springs is pretty cool. seeing the town before you get off the ridge is awesome.
Bacon double cheese burgers at smokey mountain diner. Mmmm
I enjoyed an evening of chess at Elmers.
I enjoyed an evening of chess at Elmers.Oh no you did not, please...........:p
Bare Bear
12-26-2008, 12:43
There was an option of staying in a very nice barn loft bunk room for $12 at the B&B rather than Elmers. I agree Elmers food is great if you like veggies.
Back in the day (2005) the outfitter had a small house located just off the trail that he rented bunks in. Rocky, Hareball, and I hiked in pouring rain at dusk to find a warm fire in the fireplace waiting for us. I understand it's not open any more. A Shame... But I enjoyed eating at both the Pub and the diner on my zero there. Worth it? Absolutely!
I agree Elmers food is great if you like veggies.His pancakes are addictive.
Great stay at Elmer's, great place for a zero(your most likely gonna want one after charing through the Smokies). Great food.
The people at SMKY MTN. diner were completely rude and I would never go there EVER again.
Kirby
Jack Tarlin
12-27-2008, 16:06
Actually, the people who work at Smoky Mountain Diner are great.
I've been eating there since 1995 and NEVER had a bad meal or a bad time there, and I bet there are hundreds, if not thousands of hikers who can say the same thing.
Ya know Kirby, when I run into a hiker who demands perfection and who is pretty high maintenance, my first gut feeling is to say "Whoa, buddy! It's not always about YOU!!"
In this particular case, tho, in regards to your complaint about a place that nearly everyone else loves......I'd have to say this:
"Yeah, it's about YOU. The problem is almost certainly YOU."
Jim Obermeyer
12-29-2008, 09:10
Great stay at Elmer's, great place for a zero(your most likely gonna want one after charing through the Smokies). Great food.
The people at SMKY MTN. diner were completely rude and I would never go there EVER again.
Kirby
I won't eat there either Kirby. My wife and I go to Hot Springs twice a year for a get-a- way. The first time we went for breakfast the place was empty, the waitress acted like I shot her dog or something, I couldn't firgure out what part of Good Morning she din't like to hear. I chaulked it up to a bad day and still left her a good tip.
We went back about six months later the rudeness was twice as bad. We were served coffee in strofoam to go cups. When I asked the waitress about it she told us they didn't like people sitting around drinking coffee all morning and tying up the seats...we weren't their 5 mins. didn't bother ordering, got up and left.
Lone Wolf
12-29-2008, 09:13
Actually, the people who work at Smoky Mountain Diner are great.
I've been eating there since 1995 and NEVER had a bad meal or a bad time there, and I bet there are hundreds, if not thousands of hikers who can say the same thing.
Ya know Kirby, when I run into a hiker who demands perfection and who is pretty high maintenance, my first gut feeling is to say "Whoa, buddy! It's not always about YOU!!"
In this particular case, tho, in regards to your complaint about a place that nearly everyone else loves......I'd have to say this:
"Yeah, it's about YOU. The problem is almost certainly YOU."
first impressions are lasting ones. when i went to the hiawassee inn a few years back we got treated like ****. i won't ever go back
slowandlow
12-29-2008, 09:36
Great stay at Elmer's, great place for a zero(your most likely gonna want one after charing through the Smokies). Great food.
The people at SMKY MTN. diner were completely rude and I would never go there EVER again.
Kirby
This was similar to my experience in Hot Springs. I am not a vegetarian but the food at Elmer's was some of the finest I have tasted, and the house really is like a museum with a huge book collection.
I am also not a demanding person, but at the Smokey Mtn diner getting things like silverware, butter, and syrup for my pancakes was like pulling teeth.
I have heard so many goo things about this trail town; should I take an off day here to experience the town? What should I not miss? Is the rafting worth it? Where is the best place to stay?
TIA
Dialeight44
yes take a day off here. Great trail town. Plan to stay at Elmer's Sunny bank Inn!
Hot springs has also a Post Office, a library, several restaurants and a full service gear store!
David
This was similar to my experience in Hot Springs. I am not a vegetarian but the food at Elmer's was some of the finest I have tasted, and the house really is like a museum with a huge book collection.
I am also not a demanding person, but at the Smokey Mtn diner getting things like silverware, butter, and syrup for my pancakes was like pulling teeth.
slowandlow
I ate at the Smokey Mountain Diner and was pleasantly impressed. You must have hit them on a bad day. I found good one could get hiker size portions.
This diner is also the one place where I tried Gritz. Having tried them, I really did not see what all the fuss is about so I never felt the need to eat Gritz again.
davidnh
Lone Wolf
12-29-2008, 10:27
This diner is also the one place where I tried Gritz. Having tried them, I really did not see what all the fuss is about so I never felt the need to eat Gritz again.
grits is pretty damn bland. kinda like plain white bread
Great stay at Elmer's, great place for a zero(your most likely gonna want one after charing through the Smokies). Great food.
The people at SMKY MTN. diner were completely rude and I would never go there EVER again.
Kirby
Something to keep in mind... Do you ever have a bad day? Well restaurant workers do too. It most likely had nothing to do with you, it could have been a guest before you, or something that happened at home. Few professions have such unforgiving bosses, said boss being the customer, and are compensated so little for what they deal with.
That being said, I liked the Smoky Mountain Diner. I thought they were inexpensive with good sized portions and decent quality. Not to mention thay have the largest glasses I have ever seen in a restaurant, so that thirsty hikers don't have to bother their servers for five refills.
Oh yeah, Elmer's was great, stayed there two nights, though I was kind of afraid to touch things.