Boiling Springs PA: lodging.

[Starchild]

Is this the Allenberry website? I'm not sure since I see no reference to $40 rooms and it seems a lot pricier than described.

https://www.allenberry.com/pages/lodging/lodging.html

On a related question, is Boiling Springs a good place to come off the trail due to proximity to Harrisburg or are there other nearby options that might offer cheaper transport into Harrisburg (public transport)? I'm in the process of planning a section hike which is going to start at Rockfish Gap where I'm being dropped off. My original plan was to leave the trail at Harpers Ferry and take the train back to DC but I'd like to hike a bit more than 160 miles. So I was thinking of either hiking the C&O canal to DC to make the hike around 220 miles. Or possibly to continue north on the AT and complete the MD section and go into PA, but I'm unsure where it is easiest and cheapest to come off the trail in PA with the idea of riding back to DC via Amtrak.

That looks like it. The thing about the Allenbury, and many other places (Dutch Haus comes to mind) is that they have non-published hiker rates which are substantially lower then their guest rates. The other thing, at these 2 places, as a hiker meals are not included in the rates, and as a guest they are. The Allenberry is a all inclusive resort, and meals are top notch, as a hiker you need to buy into them. Other services as well.

That said the complementary bar 'snacks' at Allenbury were more then enough for a hiker's dinner and buying into dinner was not needed.

[Slo-go'en]

Just a reminder, pay what ever price you have to pay not to camp at the backpackers campsite next to the RR tracks. A mile long freight train goes by every couple of hours.

Although staying there does give you incentive to pack up and start hiking at 3AM to beat the heat doing the 18 mile crossing of the valley. Your not going to get any sleep anyway, so you might as well be hiking.

[illabelle]

Make that a loud screaming whistling horn-tooting "mile long freight train."
And to think we went on for several pages about an alarm clock!

[Coffee]

That spot next to the tracks seems like a very horrible place to spend a last night on the trail before returning home!

[Berserker]

If you stay at the campgrounds in Boiling Springs, the train will keep you up all night.

ABSOLUTELY TRUE! Don't stay there!

That spot next to the tracks seems like a very horrible place to spend a last night on the trail before returning home!

Oh come on...the "Appalachian Trail Campground" as it is offically called is awesome. It gives you that real-life hobo experience . I stayed there this past weekend, and it was one of the better nights out because it was the only night we could have a fire (according to the Companion anyway). Yeah, the trains were annoying, but it's all part of the AT experience...I mean let's face it, parts of the AT are not excatly in remote wilderness areas. Plus with all the grafitti the trains are like rolling pieces of art making for additional entertainment.

[RED-DOG]

ChinMusic have a little peace of mind and go to Carlisle PA it's only about 5 miles from Boiling Springs, Carlisle has plenty of choices at good rates, I stayed at the super 8 in Carlisle on my 2012 thru and it was 45 dollars a night, clean rooms, cable tv, long distance phone, on-site Laundry, Continental Breakfast, so if you are looking for a little peace and quite just go to Carlisle. And also Carlisle PA is a superb resupply point for thru-hikers.

[bamboo bob]

There's regular motels a bit further north when you cross the highway. Is that Carlyle ?. Diner, etc

[ChinMusic]

ChinMusic have a little peace of mind and go to Carlisle PA it's only about 5 miles from Boiling Springs....

I started this thread last year when I was on my thru.

Some of my friends camped near those RR tracks. One gal was actually in tears out of fear of the noise. She said it was the worst night of her life. I guess it sounds like you are going to be run over.

[Coffee]

Sorry for reviving the old thread. I usually try to find an older thread before posting questions. Maybe I should have started a new one.

Regarding Carlisle, might that be a better spot to get off the trail and get to Harrisburg Amtrak? Any public transit options in the area? Thanks.

[lonehiker]

I started this thread last year when I was on my thru.

Some of my friends camped near those RR tracks. One gal was actually in tears out of fear of the noise. She said it was the worst night of her life. I guess it sounds like you are going to be run over.

Worst night of sleep I have ever had on any trail. Was totally exhausted when I got up the next morning. Once it got dark, there must have been a train every 30 minutes.

[Oak88]

Allenbury, I arrived on a Sunday in pouring rain. The restaurant was closed but they put together a turkey dinner plate for me. Looks like they are planning to turn everything into a 55+ community down the road. I had breakfast at the Caffe 101, the hiker special of course.

[Berserker]

Some of my friends camped near those RR tracks. One gal was actually in tears out of fear of the noise. She said it was the worst night of her life. I guess it sounds like you are going to be run over.

Worst night of sleep I have ever had on any trail. Was totally exhausted when I got up the next morning. Once it got dark, there must have been a train every 30 minutes.

Yeah, the sound of the trains when they are actually passing by is almost deafening. I remember one going by about every 2 hours. Don't know how I managed to get good sleep, but somehow I did. I guess I must have slept well between trains or something.

Unless one is feeling adventurous (or has some type of "sleeping aid" like whiskey) I wouldn't recommend spending a night at this location.

[Old Grouse]

Carlisle is a nice town. Home of Dickinson College, the Penn State Law School and the Army War College, plus great car shows at the fairgrounds. For breakfast, go to Fay's Country Kitchen.

[Coffee]

Regarding Carlisle, might that be a better spot to get off the trail and get to Harrisburg Amtrak? Any public transit options in the area? Thanks.

To follow up on this and maybe assist others, I've found that there are several cheap motels just west of the AT crossing US 11 on the outskirts of Carlisle. Also, there is a bus going to Harrisburg from this location. It is Route C of Capital Area Transit:

http://www.cattransit.com/routes-schedules/

Several morning departures into Harrisburg going near to the train station. Cheap at $2.35.

looks like this is a great option if I want to hike another 100 miles north from Harpers Ferry on my section hike.