Everything you Need to Know About Maildrops on the Appalachian Trail

Maildrops are hard to wrap your mind around as you plan an Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Rest assured, you will figure out your system after a couple of maildrops. Click here for a downloadable PDF of this article: Maildrops list

You have two options for places to send yourself stuff along the way: town post offices and outfitters or hostels who allow maildrops.  All addresses and Post Office zip codes can be found in Awol’s A.T. Guide.
Maildrop pros and cons

Address mail going to post office as follows:

Hold for A.T. Hiker Real name (first and last)
General Delivery
City, State, Zip-9999
ETA: Give a few days’ range of when arrival is probable.
Have ID on hand when picking up!

Below is a list of maildrop locations with addresses and links. The number beginning each line is the northbound mile marker for your convenience. I have listed only 2 maildrop options per town where there are multiples, so consult your AWOL A.T. Guide for additional locations. When choosing which spots to list, I considered distance from trail, ease of accessibility, and cost if an expensive overnight is required for maildrop pickup. Click here to download a pdf of this list to your phone: Maildrops list   Cheers!

Appalachian Trail Maildrops List AppalachianTrailClarity

hostel icon21 – Suches, GAHiker Hostel PO Box 802 or 7693 Hwy 19N, Dahlonega, GA 30533.

buggy21 – Suches, GA – Wolfpen Gap Country Store open 7 days per week until 8:00, 6:00 on Sundays.  41 Wolf Pen Gap Rd, Suches, GA 30572

buggy32 – Neel GapMountain Crossings; 12471 Gainesville Hwy, Blairsville, GA 30512.
There is a $1 fee to pick up your package. Located right on the trail! Sweet!

hostel icon70 Hiawasee, GATop of Georgia Hostel 7675 US Hwy 76 East, Hiawassee, GA 30546. Maildrops for guests only. Located 1/2 mile from trail.  Guests get shuttles. 🙂

hostel icon70 Hiawasee, GABudget Inn 193 South Main Street, Hiawassee, GA 30546

post office jpg70 Hiawasse, GA – Post office zip 30546. Open Monday – Saturday.

hostel icon110 Franklin, NCHaven’s Budget Inn 433 East Palmer Street, Franklin, NC 28734

buggyBeer110 Franklin, NCOutdoor 76, 35 East Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734.
No charge for maildrops and good beer found here!

post office jpg110 Franklin, NC – Post office zip 28734 Open Monday-Saturday

hostel icon129 Nantahala Mountain Lodge 63 Britannia Dr, Aquone, NC 28781
Maildrops for guests only

buggyBeerhostel icon137 Nantahala Outdoor Center 13077 Hwy 19W, Bryson City, NC 28713.
Date and mark, “hold for AT Hiker”. The trail runs you RIGHT into NOC! Sweet!

hostel icon158 Paradise on the A.T., 259 Upper Cove Road, Robbinsville, NC 28771

post office jpg164 Fontana Village, NC – Post Office zip 28733. Very limited hours M-F.

hostel icon165 Fontana Dam, NC – Fontana Lodge, ATTN: Front Desk, 300 Woods Dr, Fontana Dam, NC 28733

hostel icon207 Gatlinburg, TNGrand Prix Motel, 235 Ski Mountain Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

buggy207 Gatlinburg, TNNOC Great Outpost, 1138 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

hostel icon241 Standing Bear Farm, 4255 Green Corner, Rd, Hartford, TN 37753
Only 0.1 of a mile off the A.T.

hostel icon274 Hot Springs, NCElmers Sunnybank Inn, PO Box 233, Hot Springs, NC 28743
The white blazes take you right next to Elmers. Sweet!

hostel icon274 Hot Springs, NCHostel at Laughing Heart Lodge, 289 NW Hwy 25/70, Hot Springs, NC 28743  The white blazes take you right next to Laughing Heart. Sweet!

post office jpg274 Hot Springs, NC – Post Office Zip 28743. Open Monday-Saturday.

buggy274 Hot Springs, NCBluff Mountain Outfitters, PO Box 114, Hot Springs, NC 28743
The white blazes take you right past this outfitter. Sweet!

hostel icon343 Erwin, TN Uncle Johnny’s Hostel and Outfitters, 151 River Road, Erwin, TN 37650
The white blazes will lead you straight to Uncle Johnny’s door.

post office jpg343 Erwin, TN – Post Office Zip 37650. Open Monday-Saturday.

hostel icon368 Greasy Creek GapGreasy Creek Hostel, 1827 Greasy Creek Rd, Bakersville, NC 28705

hostel icon393 Roan Mountain, TNMountain Harbour B&B – 9151 Hwy 19E, Roan Mountain, TN 37687. There is a $5 fee for non-guests. Three-tenths of a mile from the A.T.

post office jpg393 Roan Mountain, TN – Post office zip 37687. Open Monday through Saturday.

post office jpg393 Elk Park, NC – Post office zip 28622 Open Monday-Saturday, 2.4 miles from A.T.

hostel icon419 Hampton, TNKincora Hiking Hostel – 1278 Dennis Cove Road, Hampton, TN 37658. There is a $5 fee for non-guests. Located 0.3 of a mile from the A.T.

hostel icon419 Hampton, TNBlack Bear Resort – 1511 Dennis Cove Road, Hampton, TN 37658.
There is a $5 fee for non-guests. Located 0.4 of a mile off the A.T.

post office jpg419 Hampton, TN – Post office zip 37658. Open Monday-Saturday. 2.6 miles from AT

hostel icon469 Damascus, VA Woodchuck Hostel, PO Box 752 Damascus, VA 24236

buggy469 Damascus, VAMt. Rogers Outfitters, PO Box 546, or 110 West Laurel Ave, Damascus, VA 24236

post office jpg469 Damascus, VA – Post office zip 24236 Open Monday-Saturday. Located one block from the A.T.

**There are many other options for maildrops in the trail town of Damascus.  Consult page 53 of the 2016 AWOL guide for more options.

post office jpg518 Troutdale, VA – Post office zip 24378 Open Monday-Saturday but mornings only. Located pretty close to the Appalachian Trail.

hostel icon532 Marion, VA – Econo Lodge, 1420 North Main St, Marion, VA 24354

hostel icon532 Marion, VA – Travel Inn, 1419 North Main Street, Marion, VA 24354.
Guest maildrops only.

post office jpg532 Marion, VA – Post office zip 24354. Open Monday-Saturday

hostel icon543 Atkins, VA – Relax Inn, 7253 Lee Hwy, Rural Retreat, VA 24368
Guest maildrops only and 2 box limit

post office jpg543 Atkins, VA – Post office zip 24311 Open Monday – Saturday

post office jpg590 Bland, VA – Post office zip 24315. Open Monday – Saturday. Only 3 miles from the AT

buggy609 Bland, VA – Trent’s Grocery, 900 Wilderness Road, Bland, VA 24315.
Located 0.5 miles off the A.T.

hostel icon624 Pearisburg, VAWoods Hole Hostel, 3696 Sugar Run Rd, Pearisburg, VA 24134
Maildrops for guests only. Located 0.5 miles off trail. 

hostel icon635 Pearisburg, VA – Holiday Motor Lodge, 401 N. Main St, Pearisburg, VA 24134
Located about a mile off the A.T.

post office jpg635 Pearisburg, VA – Post office zip 24134 Open Monday-Saturday

hostel icon702 Catawba, VAFour Pines Hostel, 6164 Newport Rd, Catawba, VA 24070
Located 0.3 miles off trail.

buggy728 Daleville, VA Outdoor Trails Outfitter, Botetourt Commons, 28 Kingston Dr, Daleville, VA 24083. Located only 300 yards from the A.T.

post office jpg728 Daleville, VA – Post office zip 24083. Open Monday-Saturday.  Only 1.1 miles from the AT.

camping icon756 Buchanan, VAMiddle Creek Campground, 1164 Middle Creek Road, Buchanan, VA 24066. Guest maildrops only. Located 0.3 away from the A.T.

post office jpg784 Glasgow, VA – Post office zip 24555 Open Monday through Saturday

hostel icon806 Three Springs Hostel, 612 Wiggins Spring Road, Vesuvius, VA 24483

post office jpg806 Buena Vista, VA – Post office zip 24416. Open Monday-Friday

hostel icon862 Waynesboro, VA – Colony House Motel, 494 Three Notched Mt. Hwy, Waynesboro, VA 22980

post office jpg862 Waynesboro, VA – Post office zip code 22980. Open Monday – Saturday.

buggy941 Luray, VAAppalachian Outdoors Adventures – 2 West Main St, Luray, VA 22835

post office jpg941 Luray, VA – Post office zip 22835 Open Monday-Friday

hostel icon965 Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel, 304 Chester Gap Road, Chester Gap, VA 22623. Guest maildrops only.  Located 0.5 miles from the Appalachian Trail

hostel icon970 Front Royal, VAQuality Inn, 10 Commerce Ave, Front Royal, VA 22630

hostel icon970 Front Royal, VA – Mountain Home Cabin, 3471 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630

post office jpg970 Front Royal, VA – Post office zip 22630. Open Monday – Saturday

hostel icon1003 Bears Den Hostel – 18393 Blue Ridge Mountain Road, Bluemont, VA 20135. Located 0.2 miles off the A.T.

AT1023 Harpers Ferry, WV ATC Headquarters, PO Box 807 or 799 Washington St, Harpers Ferry, WV, 25425

hostel icon1023 Harpers Ferry, WVTeahorse Hostel, 1312 W. Washington Street, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425  $2 fee for nonguests.  Less than a mile off trail.

post office jpg1023 Harpers Ferry, WV – Post office zip 25425.  The A.T. takes you right into town.

hostel icon1026 Knoxville, MDHarpers Ferry Hostel, 19123 Sandy Hook Rd, Knoxville, MD 21758

post office jpg1041 Boonsboro, MD – Post office zip 21713. Open Monday – Saturday.  Located 2.5 miles off the AT.

hostel icon1064 Waynesboro, PABurgundy Lane B&B, 128 W. Main St, Waynesboro, PA 17268

hostel icon1082 Fayetteville, PA – Trail of Hope Hostel, 7798 Lincoln Way, East Fayetteville, PA 17222. Only 0.8 of a mile away from the A.T.

hostel icon1102 Pine Grove Furnace State ParkIronmasters Mansion Hostel, 1212 Pine Grove Rd, Gardners, PA 17324

hostel icon1121 Boiling Springs, PAAllenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse, 1559 Boiling Springs Rd, Boiling Springs, PA 17007  There is a $5 fee for maildrops even if you are a guest.

post office jpg1121 Boiling Springs, PA – Post office zip 17007. Open Monday-Saturday. You follow the white blazes right past its front door.  Awesome!

hostel icon1129 Carlisle, PASuper 8  Motel, 1800 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA 17013.  Guests only.

hostel icon1147 Duncannon, PADoyle Hotel, 7 North Market Street, Duncannon, PA 17020.
The white blazes take you right by the Doyle.  Say hey to Vickie for Clarity!

post office jpg1147 Duncannon, PA – Post office zip 17020 Open Monday-Saturday.  Only 1 block off trail.

post office jpg1191 Pine Grove, PA – Post office zip 17963. Open Monday-Saturday. Three and a half miles off trail.

post office jpg1217 Port Clinton, PA – Post office zip 19549. Open very limited hours, 12:30-4:30 M-F and 8-11 Saturday. You walk right past it on the A.T.

hostel icon1214 Hamburg, PA Microtel Inn, 100 Industrial Drive, Hamburg, PA 19526

post office jpg1214 Hamburg, PA – Post office zip 19526. Open Monday-Saturday. Two and a half miles off trail.

post office jpg1257 Palmerton, PA – Post office zip 18071. Open Monday-Saturday.  One and a half miles off trail.

post office jpg1278 Wind Gap, PA – Post office zip 18091. Open Monday-Saturday.  Less than a mile off the AT.

buggy1293 Delaware Water Gap, PAEdge of the Woods Outfitters, 110 Main St, Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327 (Fed Ex/UPS only) The Appalachian Trail will take you straight through town.  Sweet!

post office jpg1293 Delaware Water Gap, PA –Post office zip 18327. Open Monday-Saturday. You walk right past it.  Score!

hostel iconbuggy1304 Mohican Outdoor Center, 50 Camp Road, Blairstown, NJ 07825
Only 0.3 of a mile from the A.T.

camping icon1336 High Point State Park Headquarters, 1480 State Rte. 23, Sussex, NJ 07461. Guests only.

post office jpg1336 Branchville, NJ – Post office zip 07826. Open Monday-Saturday. 3.4 miles off trail.

post office jpg1346 Unionville, NY – Post office zip 10988. Open Monday-Saturday. Trail takes you 0.5 miles from the PO.

hostel icon1357 Vernon, NJ – Appalachian Motel, 367 Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462
Maildrops for guests only.  Located 1.2 miles from the trail.

post office jpg1357 Vernon, NJ – Post office zip 07462. Open Monday-Saturday.  Hitch into town.

hostel icon1372 Greenwood Lake, NYAnton’s on the Lake, PO Box 1505 or 7 Waterstone Rd, Greenwood Lake, NY 10925.  Maildrops for guests only.  Two miles off trail.

post office jpg1372 Greenwood Lake, NY – Post office zip 10925. Open Monday-Saturday. Less than 2 miles from the A.T.

post office jpg1403 Fort Montgomery, NY – Post office zip 10922. Open Monday through Saturday. About a mile off trail.

buggy1448 Pawling, NYNative Landscapes and Garden Center, 991 Route 22, Pawling, NY 12564. Located right along the trail!

buggy1467 Kent, CTBackcountry Outfitters, 5 Bridge Street, Kent, CT 06757
A short 0.8 of a mile from the A.T.

post office jpg1467 Kent, CT – Post office zip 06757. Open Monday-Saturday.  About a 1.5 miles off trail.

hostel icon1478 Cornwall Bridge, CT Hitching Post Motel, 45 Kent Road, Cornwall Bridge, CT 06754

post office jpg1492 Falls Village, CT – Post office zip 06031. Open Monday-Saturday.

hostel icon1500 Salisbury, CT – Ms. Maria McCabe, 4 Grove Street, Salisbury, CT 06068
Guests only. Ms. Maria is a sweetheart!

post office jpg1500 Salisbury, CT – Post office zip 06068. Open Monday-Saturday. Less than a mile off trail.

hostel icon1529 Great Barrington, MAEast Mountain Retreat Center, 8 Lake Buel Rd, Great Barrington, MA 01230.  ((UPS/Fed Ex only). 1.5 miles off trail

post office jpg1529 Great Barrington, MA -Post office zip 01230. Open Monday-Saturday. Hitch into town.

camping icon1559 Becket, MA – The “Cookie Lady”, Roy and Marilyn Wiley, 47 Washington Mountain Road, Becket, MA 01223.  Located only 100 yards off trail, the Cookie Lady is worth visiting!

post office jpg1569 Dalton, MA – Post office zip 01226. Open Monday-Saturday. About a half mile off trail.

hostel icon1578 Cheshire, MA – St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 159 Church Street, Cheshire, MA 01225. Very close to the trail.

post office jpg1578 Cheshire, MA – Post office zip 01225. Open Monday-Saturday. Right on trail! Yeah!

hostel icon1592 Williamstown, MAWillows Motel, 480 Main Street, Williamstown, MA 01267

post office jpg1592 Williamstown, MA – Post office zip 01267. Open Monday-Saturday. 3 miles off trail.

post office jpg1592 North Adams, MA – Post office zip 01247. Open Monday-Saturday.  2.5 miles off trail.

hostel icon1611 Bennington, VTAutumn Inn Motel, 924 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201
Guests only

post office jpg1611 Bennington, VT – Post office zip 05201. Open Monday-Saturday.  5 miles off trail.

buggy1651 Manchester Center, VT Mountain Goat Outfitter, 4886 Main Street, Manchester Center, VT 05255

post office jpg1651 Manchester Center, VT – Post office zip 05255. Open Monday-Saturday. Hitch or shuttle into town.

hostel iconBeer1701 Rutland, VTThe Inn at Long Trail, 709 US 4, Killington, VT 05751 (UPS/Fed Ex only). Take 0.8 mile blue blaze to pick up your maildrop here and toss back a beer or two!

hostel icon1701 Rutland, VT Hikers Hostel at the Yellow Deli – 23 Center Street, Rutland, VT, 05701

post office jpg1701 Rutland, VT – Post office zip 05701. Open Monday-Saturday. Hitch into town.

buggy1704 Killington, VTBase Camp Outfitters, 2363 Route 4, Killington, VT 05751
Short, 0.4 mile side trail gets you there.

hostel iconBeer1704 Killington, VTMountain Meadows Lodge, 285 Thundering Brook Rd, Killington, VT, 05751 The trail takes you literally across the backyard of this gorgeous establishment! Truly enjoyed my work-for-stay here.

post office jpg1746 Norwich, VT – Post office zip: 05055.  Open Monday-Saturday. Two blocks from the trail.

hostel icon1747 Hanover, NHSunset Motor Inn, 305 North Main Street, West Lebanon, NH 03874. Guests only

post office jpg1747 Hanover, NH – Post office zip: 03755. Open Monday-Saturday. Trail takes you right past the post office.

hostel icon1790 Glencliff, NHHikers Welcome Hostel, 1396 NH Rt 25, PO Box 25, Glencliff, NH 03238. Really cool hostel only 0.3 miles off trail.  Tell Legion Clarity says hey. 😉

buggy1816 Lincoln, NHFlume Visitor Center, Flume Gorge, 850 Daniel Webster Hwy, Lincoln, NH 03251.  Located only 0.7 of a mile trail.

hostel icon1816 North Woodstock, NHThe Notch Hostel, 324 Lost River Rd, North Woodstock, NH 03262

post office jpg1816 North Woodstock, NH – Post office zip 03262. Open Monday-Saturday.  5 miles off trail.

hostel iconbuggy1843 Crawford NotchAMC Highland Center, Route 302, Bretton Woods, NH 03574.   Located 3.5 miles from the A.T.

hostel icon1891 Gorham, NHWhite Mountains Lodge and Hostel, 592 St. Rte. 2, Shelburne, NH 03581. Directly on the A.T.  No fee for guests or nonguests to pick up a maildrop. Awesome!

post office jpg1891 Gorham, NH – Post office zip 03581. Open Monday-Saturday. About 4 miles off trail.

hostel icon1932 Andover, MEPine Ellis Lodging, PO Box 12 or 20 Pine Street, Andover, ME 04216.  Guests only.

post office jpg1932 Andover, ME – Post office zip 04216. Open Monday-Saturday. Hitch into town.

hostel icon1969 Rangeley, ME The Hiker Hut, C/O Steve Lynch, 2 Pine Rd, Sandy River Plantation, ME 04970.  Only 0.3 off trail! $5 fee for nonguests.

buggy1969 Rangeley, MEEcopelagicon Outfitter, PO Box 899, 7 Pond Street, Rangeley, ME, 04970

post office jpg1969 Rangeley, ME – Post office zip 04970. Open Monday-Saturday.  Hitch into town.

hostel icon2001 Stratton, MEWhite Wolf Inn, Main St. PO Box 590, Stratton, ME 04982
Fee for nonguests.

post office jpg2001 Stratton, ME – Post office zip 04982. Open Monday-Saturday. Five miles from AT.

hostel icon2038 Caratunk, METhe Sterling Inn, PO Box 129 Caratunk, ME 04925.
Fee for non-guests.

hostel iconBeer2038 Caratunk, MENorthern Outdoors, 1771 US 201, The Forks, ME 04985. Free pickups, free showers, and delicious beer brewed on site. Clarity recommends!

post office jpg2038 Caratunk, ME – Post office zip 04925. Open Monday-Saturday but hours are VERY limited.  0.3 miles off AT.

hostel icon2074 Monson, MELakeshore House Lodging and Pub, PO Box 215, Monson, ME 04464. There is a $5 fee for nonguests.

hostel icon2074 Monson, MEShaw’s Lodging, PO Box 72 or 17 Pleasant St, Monson, ME 04464.  There is a $5 fee for nonguests.

post office jpg2074 Monson, ME – Post office zip 04464. Open Monday-Saturday, slightly limited hours. Four miles off trail.

hostel icon2173 Millinocket, METhe Appalachian Trail Lodge, 33 Penobscot Ave, Millinocket, ME 04462. For guests only.

post office jpg2173 Millinocket, ME – Post office zip 04462. Open Monday-Saturday.  Get a ride there.

There you have it, a list of maildrop locations across the Appalachian Trail.  Enjoy the journey!

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Comments 4

  • Kat Ignatova : Apr 13th

    This is so incredibly useful! Thank you so much for putting it together.

    Reply
    • Clarity : Apr 13th

      So happy you found it useful! 🙂

      Reply
  • Doug : May 29th

    Can you comment on Canadian hikers wishing to send food over the border, Have heard that customs often frowns on this practice, especially if the food is not in original packaging, or as I wish to do, home prepared, dehydrated meals. Any advice greatly appreciated

    Reply
  • Tortuga : Feb 25th

    Clarity, thanks for the mail drops list. Great info.

    Reply

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