In-store shopping
Yes
Mountain Crossings in Blairsville
Categories
Location on the map
Blairsville, Union County, Georgia, US
Service options
Delivery
No
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
Planning
Quick visit
Yes
Payments
NFC mobile payments
Yes
Phone: +1 706-745-6095
Site: http://www.mountaincrossings.com/
Site: http://www.mountaincrossings.com/
Opening hours
- Monday:9AM–5PM
- Tuesday:9AM–5PM
- Wednesday:9AM–5PM
- Thursday:9AM–5PM
- Friday:9AM–5PM
- Saturday:9AM–5PM
- Sunday:9AM–5PM
Mountain Crossings in other cities:
Comments (199)
Amazing people, huge community. Best pizza I’ve ever had after hiking almost 40 miles! ;) we found their prices on gear reasonable instead of highly marked up like they could be.
Lots of gear to help while on the Appalachian trail. They have most anything a hiker may need or want. They have touristy items as well for visitors in the area. There is also a tree filled with shoes from passenger-bys.
Lots of AT history here. Most trail legends have passed through. Good spot to use the bathroom before or after hiking. Also great place to grab snacks or other trail items.
Awesome place where to take a break after hiking Blood Mountain at Neils Gap.
Great place to find hiking gear..., chat with Appalation Trail Hikers... perfect setting, helpful staff and also great start for yor hike.
This is a must-visit place in the north Georgia mountains. There’s a an awesome view and the coolest outdoor gear store.They have unique hoodies, hats, shirts and backpacking gear. I highly recommend checking it out. It’s so much bette me than the tourist spots in Helen or Blue Ridge.Parking is limited, but there’s usually a spot. You’ll see plenty of AT Hikers.
These guys were great! Helped me out with unexpected purchase of shoes and gave great tips on the nearby trails. Highly recommend stopping in.
Cool store and worth the visit. The selection of hats and tshirts is solid. The AT runs through the building which is pretty cool. Great spot for photos.
My name is Donn Elliott aka (Chazaq). I just wanted to thank everyone at mountain crossings for putting up with me for several days after I had hurt my knee. Also, I want to give praise to Bill who helped with my spirits and he really kept me smiling while I was going through such difficult times. Took his time and in turn helped me keep my spirits up. Bill helped with repositioning my backpack. This store is amazing and has everything you would possibly need for day/section or thru-hikes. The hostel is not open this year however there are alot of places to setup behind the store up Blood mountain. Just pay attention to the weather and pay very close attention to the wind. Dont camp in places where imminent threats of weather will make your stay unenjoyable and make you think of hanging your shoes in the tree. God bless everyone at mountain crossings and again I thank you for everything!!! Hike on my friends and stay safe!!!
Wonderful place offering any and all camping and hiking gear, shoes ,tents, hammock gear and so much more and the shoe tree throw old shoes in the tree when you get your new pair.
Went by here today and we were in awe! We gave been reading about the APT for a while now and want to someday make the trek. While close by we stopped and this store is knowledgeable and I love everything there. I could have easily spent ALOT of money in there. Great view and the shoe tree was mesmerizing. I could stand there all day just looking at each pair of shoes and imagine the great honor the person felt throwing them up there. It is definitely a sight to see!
Great location and a lot of cool history around this place. The Appalachian Trail literally runs through the property. All the best gear that backpackers and hikers actually need. Friendly staff. Great views from the patio. Worth a stop for sure.
This is a true hikers store! Great and knowledgeable staff with a really good selection. Well be back
We visited as a side trip while in the area. We had been here many years ago and came to see how it had changed. This is a fun tourist stop, if you are in the area, with souvenirs of the Appalachian trail. There are also several spectacular views of the mountains from this location. NOTE: When we were there, the restroom were out of order due to low water pressure, however porta-potties are available. They were, unfortunately, needing to be pumped out.
I could spend my life in outdoor stores. Love em! And this one at Neel Gap is quite special, catering specifically to AT hikers. But even if youre not hiking, its worth the trip up the mountain for all the gear, knick knacks, t-shirts, and stuff you might need. Friendly, helpful staff...and always a hiker to talk to or share some trail magic with.
Great outfitter right on the AT at Neels Gap. Friendly people help you make gear adjustments and even offer a full shakedown service to help you get your gear setup for a comfortable and light hike. Offers most gear you may need to hike the trail including packs, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, foot wear, first aid, food, clothing, etc. Nice gift shop. Hiker services including a hostel, restrooms, donation box for ditched gear and food and hot pizza to fuel your soul. Keep your eyes open for a little trail magic too.
Blood mountain at Mountain Crossings is a hikers dreams, a full service outfitter where you can get EVERYTHING a hiker needs, it has a gift shop plus it is a hostel and get free fresh water in a beautiful historic stone building located at mile thirty of the Appalachian Trail! Its the only place on the Appalachian Trail that goes through a building. before you start back on your hike there is a great overlook and enjoy the views.
Great experience and amazing location. The weather was harsh when I was there but it was truly one of the best hikes in Georgia and close to Atlanta. A bit challenging but completely worth it for the views. The store at parking lot is really good too and has a lot of things to offer if youre not prepared.
Mountain crossing has everything you could ever want or need as hiker. Staff are friendly and ready to help with whatever you need from questions to pack shakedowns.Great place..
Been coming up here for 20 years. Always one of the first places to stop in the area. Employees are always friendly and exceedingly kind to everyone. They will explain anything to amateurs and tell you how to save money, when possible. Great stop for locals, through hikers or random tourists alike.
Enjoyed the atmosphere. Had many AT souvenirs to choose from. Need help with arranging your backpack, you can get that here too.
This place is an oasis for hikers coming off blood mountain wilderness. Every thing you will need to resupply. The staff is amazing and super friendly. Best part is they have frozen pizza they will cook for you. I will definitely be back any chance I get.
Looks small from the outside and when you first enter but all the grear you could possibly need is inside this place. Just follow the building around inside and you will find a place to shake down your pack and replace any gear you need.
For the Appalachian Trail, this is the most expansive outfitter youll find that is literally right on trail (Shaws in Monson, ME is a close second). Awesome staff, great supply of gear and food, and our hostel stay in the off season was great as well.
What more can be said about this iconic place. Wish the prices were a little lower but I mean it’s expensive to ship things up a mountain in the middle of no where
Historic store with good souvenir merch plus actual gear. Def part of AT history
We stopped at the Mountain Crossings outfitter for our first resupply on our half through of the Appalachian trail. Bill Harris was incredible. He is extremely knowledgeable of all things backpacking. The first thing he did was showed us how to adjust our packs. It was amazing how much better they felt after he did this. He also did a very good job answering all our questions. Jake also stands out as being very helpful in our experience there. If you are planning on hiking the AT or just getting into backpacking I would strongly suggest you go there for your equipment needs. You wont be disappointed.
Super knowledgeable. Ryan was helpful and patient with me while I picked out a new pack!
It is always a pleasure to stop when we are in the area. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have a good selection of hiking gear and great AT and hiking merch.
Great service. Large selection of equipment. Plenty of food to do a resupply. I stayed in the hostel and got a shower for$20.00.
Many end their hike here. Others get strong and continue on. These folks have an extensive outfitter store that can provide everything you need for your hike. They also will conduct a shakedown of your equipment and make suggestions to improve your kit and make your load lighter or more practice. We resupplied here. No old food and though products were marked up it was cheaper than going into town. Stayed at the hostel. You sleep in a bunker type area filled with bunk beds. There is a break area inside the bunk house along with a sink. Only complaint was they have one shower and toilet. They do provide a towel, shampoo, and soap.
This gift shop & hikers store sits beside the Appalachian Trail at Neel Gap in Georgia. It is a wonderful place to stop, shop and admire the views of the north Georgia mountains. The shop keeper is very knowledgeable about the AT and surrounding local trails.
The least expected and most welcome shop in the area. At the crest of the mountain, this provides a welcome bathroom stop, as well as all of the camping and hiking gear that you forgot. Great staff, knowledgeable and gregarious.
Amazing place with great staff. All real world hiking gear and advice. Historic place and start of the Appalachian Trail. Worth the stop.
I love this place. There is an incredible atmosphere that is hard to describe other than saying it feels like home. You can shop around inside or wander around outside. The AT runs right through the building, which is neat, and there is a very cool sitting area outside with a great view to rest and relax.
Love this place. Super selection of backpacking food and gear and great hostel. Will stay here every chance I get. Only building on the entire Appalachian Trail that the real actually passes thru. On the register of historic places.
Fun, knowledgeable staff with great personalities and even more keen sense of humor. Thats important to a sarcastic backpacker. Would revisit just to hang out with the staff and people watch. And the microwavable cheeseburgers And rib sandwiches are bomb when youre itching for some extra calories on your hike.
Fantastic Outfitter! If they have it you need it and they have EVERYTHING
First time what a place you want to buy the whole store
Beautiful view, great store and employees.
Great place to stop whether driving by or hiking through. All you need for the trail or a souvenir of your time in the mountains.
Awesome place to stop during our section hike. So we came back during the winter to hang out a while during a snow storm. Great outfitter. Knowledgeable and experienced staff. Check them out.
I Love anything on the Appalachian trail. This was a cool stop on the way to blood mountain.
Justin was awesome! Helped me get directions and was super nice. Stayed past close and everything. Thanks again!
First off, you have got to love arriving at Mountain Crossing when youre hiking the AT. As far as Im concerned, this is the first real milestone you hit. As for the store itself, they have a great selection of gear and clothing as well souvenirs and local tchotchokies. I made a couple of purchases including one that I ended up returning a couple days later and they had no problem taking the return. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They even helped me arrange a ride into Blairsville. Definitely give this place 2 hiker 👍 way up.
The BEST place outpost, whether youre actually hiking the Appalachian trail or just visiting :) Great selection of food, supplies, and souvenirs.
This place is really cool. I love the selection of merchandise and the guys who work there are very nice and helpful. The only comment I would make is maybe consider some 3xl tshirts because not everyone travelling is a hiker and some folks may just be passing through and need a good sleep shirt or maybe just had too many snacks and need a little extra room. But seriously, this place is awesome.
Great staff, awesome gift shop, and the best German Shepard ever to greet you at the door.
Amazing little store on the AT. Had a sleeping pad I was looking for everywhere and they were the only ones who had it from Little Rock, AR to Atlanta, GA. Friendly awesome people working there and a little piece of history. Excellent gear options and great spot to stop while hiking/backpacking.
Super place. Very friendy staff and awesome gear store
Great stop-over for hikers, cyclists, motorcyclists, and people just taking a drive through the mountains.
I love this place. If you hike from Amicalola on the AT, this is a welcome stop (after conquering Sassafras and Blood mountain, plus so much more). You can get new gear, pick up your food drop or replenish. Get hot pizza or heat up food in the microwave. They have a hot shower for a small fee and cabins if you need to take a break. Do your laundry. Warm up by the fireplace. If you are just passing through. Grab a cold drink, some snacks and see what you cant live without. Plenty of great gift options. Be sure to check out the tree with all the hiker shoes. If you are feeling adventurous, take the hike up blood mountain. The view from the top is worth every step.
Beautiful! Beautiful! Cant say it enough. We so loved it ridding through here.
Awesome place, have driven past it multiple times but finally got to go in as we were doing a short hike and camp. Staff was super friendly, and a great selection of camping gear and souvenirs.
Unique items, staff is always friendly. I observed several staff members assisting AT hikers in most accommodating ways! Items are a bit overpriced, but it’s a fun shop to browse through
Great views!
Love to stop here when going over the mountain or accessing the A/T for a quick lunch hike
Loved visiting right before hike. Staff super friendly and knowledgeable of trails and they carry quality gear to get you through. Strongly recommend stopping in before you hit the trail!
They talked me into a b!g sur bar instead of cliffs. Im up on blood eating one and need to keep getting south so I catch my ride on time. Im about to walk back down there and walk on in the dark they are so good. Very nice people working this place.
Mountain Crossings is THE place to go to to get all your AT souvenirs and any good hiking gear. Being from Savannah, I make it a point to stop here every time I make a trip up. If the souvenirs dont spark your interest, maybe the boot tree will. There is an unspoken rule that you cant buy anything unless youve hiked some part of the trail or else youre a poser haha. The staff know their stuff and will give advice and share stories. Awesome spot!!!!
I simply LOVE this place! I MUST go here each time I visit Georgia. I was a big hiker in my younger years and this place has such a great vibe about it, it makes me want to hit the trail again. The staff here are amazing, so kind and well versed in helping you with what every type of hiking you want to do. If you just want to look, they will leave you alone and never be pushy. This store is very well stocked and the prices are very reasonable! There is so much tangible history here, you can just feel it in the air. This is like my church, I feel so at home here. They have many great books on hiking the AT. Make sure you have lots of time here to take it all in.
Cool place, did seem way over priced for gear though so make sure you don’t forget anything at home when you go to blood mountain or hiking the AT because you’ll fork some money over for any gear you need from here. $90 for two low end beanie/winter hats and a pair of gloves. Souvenirs seemed better priced but still on the high side.Good scenery though and the shoe tree is cool
I could of been lost in here... dreaming of all I want to do... and the fact that they have EVERYTHING I could possibly ever need to do such! Extremely friendly staff and visitors! A lovely place to get lost in the woods. Lots of motorcycle traffic. Bee careful! Watch for them, please!
This place is the coolest! We stop every time we are in the area. Great staff and people around the store. Awesome views around the back. So many shirts and lovely gift shop things. Great book selection and stickers. Anything you need for a hike is available. Must stop by and check it out!
Beautiful place! Staff there, especially Bill, are quite knowledgeable about all things AT.
Good quality equipment and friendly staff. As with most high end gear places, prices are high for less economically advantaged folks. Great that they host a set of food and gear leave and take boxes, a comfortable set of picnic tables for passing hikers, water, a great view and friendly advice.
Be sure to see the hiking boots tossed into the Quitters Tree.
This place has almost everything to offer! They treat you like family, and they are very helpful! Ive been here a few times and each visit is great. The selection is amazing with all kinds of food for the many hikers that stop by. Im glad to live so close to something so beautiful.
Hiked in and visited this outfitter. 4 star only due to over inflated prices
I love visiting this store when we are in town. Its a really neat store if youre needing hiking gear or just want some souvenirs. We also enjoy taking a short hike up the Appalachian Trail from here. I will say that the bathrooms were not functioning this time, but they did have porta potties available that were clean. I highly recommend stopping by if you get a chance.
This is a super cool place, located on the Appalachian Trail, for hikers to be able to check in and rest or refresh. It has many unique gift ideas, clothing for yourself or others, and interesting little trinkets.
Amazing place! Great hostel if you are a hiker. The staff is incredible...828 represent! Prices for everything are reasonable and you can resupply without having to go into town. Who wants pizza? Yeap, they have pizza too. It is a great reason the push over Blood Mountain and finish the last three miles for a shower and pizza!
This store is perfectly located if youre hiking on the Appalachian Trail. And even if youre not, its a nice place to buy little trinkets and whatnot. And if youre not looking to buy anything, you can still come here and have a nice picnic with a mountain view.
I love driving up the mountain to this store. Its been so long since we last visited. Was hoping for some 2XL long sleeve shirts that either said Blood Mountain or Appalachian trail but They didnt have a wide variety yet. Well just have to go back in a couple of months.
Love going here!!! Great photo ops and good conversation with the employees!!!! Everyone should visit this place and hike some of the AT!!!😀
Beautiful pass on the Appalachian trail.
Nice place..good selection of gear and resupply options..def order a pizza after being on trail for a few days!
Best mountain store I have ever been to. Been coming here for over 20 years!
Fantastic out doors clothing and food store
Prices for a hostel, shower, food and drinks I was happy to pay, regardless of coming off Blood Mountain wet, and tired, with my son.This place, employees and hospitality helped me keep my son on trail for another two days after hiking from Springer over the past two days. The weather was killing our hike vibes, but the helpful smiles here was like a health package on my sons video games.The merchandise for tourists (and hikers coming back to pick up some mementos) looked like good prices. Also, for resupplying, or swapping gear out, I could afford the pricing on a hikers budget.Thanks for a grand hostel experience, and keeping us on trail!
Pricey store but worth the stop to see the views! This is where the hikers take a break on the long trail north up the mountains!
Products in store were amazing! Stayed at the hostel (my first time) and was pleasantly surprised. Clean rooms and beds. Friendly staff...4 stars only Because it was a bit stuffy in the Hostel and because for the price there weren’t amenities (only shower). Otherwise it was great!
Not an extensive selection of merch, but they always seem to have the right option, whether youre hiking, gearing up for a camping trip, or just looking for a unique gift or outdoorsy gadget. Dont expect racks of clothing or shoe choices, just the essentials. Ive visited many times and I love spending time here. Theres a nice view off the back deck and access to trails / bathrooms / and even rustic lodging (I think...). Oh, and be sure to check out the shoe tree in front of the shop!!
My review is from the point of view of a tourist dropping in between waterfall treks. Its such a fun, colorful place to stop with snacks, souviners, and beautiful views.
One of the coolest spots on the AT! The inventory is extensive and the people that work there are friendly and warm. Cant wait to pass through as I hike north :)
What a cool experience. We always see or learn something new when were there. The staff is great and engaging. A landmark stop when in NoGa mountains.
Great selection of merchandise. We had a bad experience (not welcoming/polite) at the hiking store in Cleveland so we came to this one instead. All of the staff was SUPER polite and helpful and even interacted/distracted my 2 year old while I shopped. Definitely recommend!
This place us the bomb! I have never been anywhere that if you need something hiking related, they have it. The folks that staff here are excellent. They either have, or can tell you how to fix, just about anything. Priced a little higher, but the AT does go right by the front door. A great selection of AT related gifty or souvenirs including local pottery. Excellent fun store.
Great full-service outdoor recreation store with more stock than my local REI in Chicago. Includes hiker hostel for AT backpackers who can restock and get a much needed shower and bunk for the night. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Quality equipment and service.
Jason was really helpful in helping us choose the right pack for us. He was patient, helpful and fun. We love Mountain Crossings, they have experienced hikers to help make your hike lighter and doable. Their selection of products are quality at a reasonable price. Thanks for an enjoyable experience and for hiring quality and professional people.
At least they can cook a pizza there (red baron for 10$) for hot food but Im shocked they have not added a kitchen or worked a deal with someone to have hot food on site ready! There items are way over priced!
A great place to visit! Staff is friendly and extremely helpful. I had a great time just walking around and looking at all the supplies they have available for AT thru hikers and day hikers alike. Will be definitely visiting Mountain Crossings every time Im up that way.
Prices are actually really good, even compared to online options. Bill was really great, helped my friend find some really great boots and even offered to fit our packs for free. Everyone there was warm and friendly.
Love stopping here on our way over the mountain. Always full of interesting things and all the hiking gear you could possible need. Great views as well. A must see for any hiker in the area.
Very cool outdoor, hiking, camping store. Must stop if in the area.
Staff was friendly and helpful and they have frozen pizzas, sandwiches, and other items for Thru-Hikers to eat!
Love the vibe here. Great and knowledgeable staff, serious gear for any need, and a collection of old backpacks lining the walls along the ceiling! To top it off, the building is beautiful and the AT goes right through it!
Great place to stop and take a break from hiking or cruising up and down the mountain! The small parking lot gets packed during peak times. Generally speaking, people that stop here are friendly and its always a pleasure to chat with the motorcyclists, car enthusiasts, or the outdoors people that are passing through. The clerks in the store are friendly and knowledgeable and sells some cute and interesting wares, along with hiking gear and snacks.
There were 2 stops for construction on the mountain.
Awesome place to stop, take a break, take in the history of the AT and enjoy the views, whether hiking the AT or cruising the North GA mountains. Friendly staff and great selection of hiking and camping supplies, outdoor clothing, snacks and drinks and home decor.
Iconic Outfitter nestled in Neels Gap. Perhaps the only structure that actually straddles the AT. Great place to reload on a day hike or backpacking trip. Gear, drinks, food, they have it all. Check out the Shoe Tree. There is some limited free camping just on the south side of the property. Not part of Mountain Crossings itself but a great place to stay overnight. Just be aware of the friendly mice that are more than willing to join you 🐀
Wonderful place to visit. Took folks here from out of town and it is a nice place to get a little history about the trail and take pictures. Went in the gift shop and the staff was super friendly and helpful. everyone liked it a lot.
Rock star service, great and friendly staff. Couldnt get a shuttle to even answer their phone so the clerk gave us a lift to town and our hotel!
LOVE this place. The AT, cute gift shop & wonderful people! I even got some needed name brand hiking clothes for half price today. My sons hiking boots are hanging from the rafters too!
Had a great experience here. Staff went out of their way to provide local info and advice for hikers. I had some equipment issues that they were willing to help solve for no charge. And when an item I bought there began acting weird, they were willing to exchange it even though they couldnt reproduce the issue..
Great old shop that feels like its at the entrance of the Appalachians! Really helpful people, good selection of odds and ends, comfortable setup ... it feels like the perfect mountain shop. Worth a stop if you are in the area!
Personally found the accommodations to be lacklustre. They also completely filled up. I also had no idea that they even did shakedowns, LOL... Wish I had, but I ended up being fine.I called a shuttle to a motel in Blairsville, and that was way cheaper than the nearby lodges. Got a warm shower, dry clothes, and excellent pizza.
Always a pleasure. The wind chimes are beautiful.
Cute gift shop but also a well-stocked outfitter for hiking gear. Prices are decent for the location. I’d recommend stopping in for a browse!
You walk through this on the Appalachian Trail. We sent ourselves a package which they nicely keep in the back til you get there. You can also take a shower here. Not the best shower facility, dark and not super clean, but after three days, it felt like the best shower of my life! Enjoyed looking around this place. There are boots hanging from the tree where people realized several days into their hike that their boots weren’t going to cut it and they bought more. So glad this place was here. It was just what we needed halfway thru our week.
Great store if you want to get some AT t-shirts to make your friends think you are more athletic than you really are.Humor its worth a stop even if you just enjoy the view. Fun road trip.
The staff was friendly, and the hostel was nice enough for being very bare bones. It was much more of a self-service kind of thing. The bunk mattresses were comfortable and the basement was dry enough, provided someone took on the task of emptying the two dehumidifiers. The shower was a bit grimy and the drain tended to clog up. Thankfully, the bunk room area and the kitchen/sitting area is separated by a thick wall and door, so those who wanted to stay up later could do so without keeping everyone else up. The glow of the exit signs provided a nice nightlight. For the price and location, it was nice enough.
Friendly people inside the shop, and some really great views even if you decide to just pull over to enjoy those.
If you are riding in the area it is a must stop 🚏
Stopped here while on a short road trip. Great views! Pleasant and serene. Definitely returning
We hiked for a few days then picked up our Re supply package here. Also grabbed a hot shower and a new water filter. Nice store would have picked up more items if we weren’t hiking all of Georgia.
I love this little store. Built by the CCC in the 1930s, great selection of supplies for hikers, knowledgeable hikers with great advice.
I went to Hike School back in July which was very informative. I was also able to get a lot of expert opinion on certain types of gear. I ending up buying shoes, a sleeping pad and several other items. I finally hit the trail last week. I had an issue with my sleeping pad and Mountain Crossing took care of it ASAP with no hassles! Thanks so much for the GREAT Customer Service. Forever a Fan!!
I stopped here on my trip driving from Chicago to Georgia 4 years ago. Im not into hiking, but it was a great place to pick up some snacks for the road. If I ever do get into hiking and camping I will for sure be back :)
Live this store! A very unique building that was built by the CCC way back! Cool souvenirs, not the crappy kind! And all the hiking gear you could imagine. Staff is very helpful and the views are magnificent!! This location is the only place on the Appalachian Trail where it passes through a manmade structure as the trail runs between the store and the hiker hostel and is under the roof connecting the two. It is also an AT hiker hangout because of this. It is a popular pickup/ drop off area for section hikers, and a resting place for thru-hikers. Oh and did I mention the knowledgeable staff? They arent just hired off the street, they are all experienced hikers themselves and most helpful with any of your hiking needs! Mountain Crossings is a must stop every time I am in Blairsville!
Best damn store in North GA
Locked my keys in the car at the trailhead and these folks wen out of their way to help me. There is nothing you could want that they aint got including a wire coat hanger. The atmosphere here is nothing short of how I wish the world would be. Easy, picturesque, and inviting. Oh to be in my twenties again, Id probably never leave.
Bought hiking boots. They had me wear them outside, on the trail to be sure they were the right fit.
A little pricy but a nice olace.
We werent hiking the Appalachian Trail...but we saw it. We were on a weekend drive through the mountains and stopped here to see what we could. There isnt a lot to see, but we grabbed (and paid for...we didnt shoplift em) a couple of drinks and walked around a bit. Some picturesque vistas, some nice folks, and about a pleasant 30 minutes of goofing off.Stroll out back for a bit for better views and a ginormous historical monument. Lots of history out in the middle of nowhere, for real.With the ubiquity of dollar stores in civilized areas, I can say that one next door to this place would make a fortune. I dont know how many people live in the area (or what they do to make a living), but a store with a wide selection of...stuff...would be a shoe-in for people hiking the AT.
This is the official beginning/end of the Appalachian Trail. Hangout for sportbikes making runs up and down Blood Mtn. Store has souvenirs, serious backpacking gear, drinks (including coffee & hot chocolate), and a variety of snacks. Nice overlook, melodious wind chime, and a tree full of worn out hiking boots
We have been into the store here twice after hiking blood mountain.I like the stuff they have in the store, but both times the staff were the rudest and unfriendly that I have ever encountered in an independent store. We couldnt work out whether they had some kind of little attitude because they worked somewhere they think is cool, or whether they were all just spoiled kids that didnt really need a job or want to be there at all... apart from to hang out with theit friends.They never spoke to us while we were looking around, or acknowledged us, even when we were at the register paying for the stuff we bought.The management or owners may have a captive market in that they have a shop close to the AT that has no local competition, but they really need to bring the staff up to decent standard as far as customer service is concerned.I dont need anyone grovelling, but some kind of greeting or acknowledgement and a thank you, would have been nice.After 2 visits that were 6 months apart, I dont think I could bring myself to shop there a third time even if it was pouring with rain and and they were the only place that had a new rainjacket.There are other stores that have the same stuff and better manners.
This place is awesome. The staff is super helpful and plenty of different products for upgrading your gear. They also do a gear shakedown which is a huge plus and it’s free.A lot of the prices is reasonable and other items not so much. Example is the Tuna packets. It it’s an Outfitter so expect to pay a little more for things. They also let you camp in the back for free if you need a few days rest.I didn’t know they had free WiFi and if you play Pokémon GO there is 3 Poke Stops and a Gym. If you find yourself in need of a ride, some will do it for a few.They have several power outlets you can use to get your phone and what not charged up. Plus you can get water on the outside before continuing on your hike. YETI was here.
Awesome place. Weve stopped here a few times after hiking Blood Mountain. The AT literally goes right through the yard, and its neat to see all the old gear of thru hikers on display.
Been here several times throughout my life love the old building fun place to stop when hiking the A.T.Just a little FYI they have a minimum for credit card purchases of $5 (which stinks because all I wanted was a Snickers in my middle of my hike but cest la vie)
Thanks for all your help today Just Bill!
Everything for the hiker plus more in this mountain store.
I had such high hopes for this place...but it fell short...very short. The experts here, really only seem to be experts in trying to talk you into using what they sell, not what you need. Some prices are above MSRP, which employees tell you is because the manufacturers required them to do that. Product knowledge is very limited in certain areas...especially when it comes to stoves, their uses, their function, and their maintenance. They advertise mail drops are free, but a $1 donation is appreciated...then tell you you HAVE to pay to get your mail drop (even when spending $$$ in their store). They advertise they have water for those camping behind the facility and pay showers, then shut the water off without an alternative water source available, leaving hikers stranded without water, and tell hikers that planned a shower there based on their advertisements, they dont offer pay showers. I witnessed these issues happen to multiple hikers, all within one visit there!RESPONSE (to Mountain Crossings response):The item my son purchased was actually $5 over MSRP. I double checked on Therm-a-Rests website and later on my distributors website.We WERE told we HAD to pay the $1 (technically they charged us $2 since we had 2 small boxes that arrived the day before we got there). The issue is the store staff would not give my son the boxes without paying the donation, thereby, it is no longer a donation, by definition! He actually didnt have money on him, so he had to go fetch me at our campsite on the trail to get his debit card. He ended up purchasing the item that was $5 over MSRP and they added the $2 to the total for the boxes.There were no employees when we arrived, the store was already closed when we came through. We found the water source on the side of the building on the overlook, but the water had been shut off. Based on your website, we had planned that as our next water source, so we were relying on the advertised water for both our drinking water and our camp water. Again, the issue is, your website advertised water was available on the side of the building. We did utilize the water the next morning, once it was turned back on.I was not there for a shower, several female hikers were there for the shower, but like me, they actually read that showers were available for a fee on your website, not the guidebooks...I even looked it up for them when we were sitting there and it indeed was still being advertised on your website.After listening to advise given to others by your staff, I can assure you that they were giving out misinformation to hikers. Telling them they were using the wrong equipment, when the equipment they had was perfectly fine for the journey they were on. On the subject of stoves, the male staff member clearly did not have a well rounded knowledge about stoves. Granted, I have stoves older than him, so there is only so much knowledge he could have, but he clearly did not understand the purpose of different stoves!So, unfortunately, I have to stand by my review. By all means, its great to have the store there, it would just be nice if the staff were trained better on both product knowledge and the stores SOP/Policies and that the stores website was kept up-to-date.
This is Niels Gap, walasia si ya. A crossing of the Appalachian trail, at the Blood Mountain startv of the longest foot traffic only trail in the U.S.A., From Georgia to MaineAbout a 2 to 3 month trip for the whole trail
A busy place. Only place on the Appalachian Trail where the trail goes under a roof. The tree full of hiking shoes is worth the drive. Wonderful place to visit.
I am a seasoned backpacker having completed section hiking the AT in 2016 NtoS and decided to start over and do it StoN. This store was not available when I completed this section many years ago. Suffice to say I have seen the evolution in gear over the years. For grins I asked for the shake down, but clearly stated that I was not going to purchase any new gear for the remaining 40 miles of my section hike. The young man was obviously agitated that I was not willing to drop money on gear. The shop is impressive in terms of offerings and I did pick up a couple of pointers, but some of the points were unhealthy. For instance it was suggested that I jettison dental floss, peace soap, and a scouring pad. Some of the advice from the shake down was contrary to their own web site. For instance I carry three extremely light weight Eagle Creek bags to separate items in groups. We stayed in the associated Hostel which was okay, but a little effort could have enhanced that experience greatly. Prepared food was marginal but available (frozen pizza). Tip: if you are attempting to hike the AT end to end visit the store first.
Its Neels Gap or the Hippie Hut. Ya threw me with the Mountain Crossing
Ive hiked through here a couple times on the Appalachian Trail and have never be disappointed reaching Neels Gap and using their many useful services. The building is historic and has a warm atmosphere.
The shop is great and was a welcome stop. The hostel - not so much. I was surprised by the condition and lack of supplies in the hostel. I was expecting at least toilet paper and paper towels. Maybe I stayed on a bad night and they didnt refresh the supplies?
Fantastically friendly service. This places was super fun to visit for the AT memorabilia in the shop and in the trees! Haha. Great view off Blood Mnt too
Great hiking outfitter. They will go thru your pack and help you with other possible gear choices. Good place to eat and rest before/after Blood Mountain.
Neat store! Beautiful mountain views and its right on the Appalachian trail! Unique items available to purchase. Be sure to look up in the trees when youre there....
Excellent thru-hiking outfitters and resupply stop. They specialize in outfitting hikers and make recommendations based on your needs, not their sales statistics. They are located directly ON the Appalachian Trail approximately 30 miles north of the southern start of the trail and will help you refit your pack and ship your excess gear home.But why wait to hike 30 miles with the wrong and excessive gear and then spend MORE money to buy the right gear? Make the drive to Mountain Crossings six months and again six weeks BEFORE you go and get the advice, gear, and weight right the first time?Their employees all have thru-hiked the A.T. themselves and will take quality time with you to help you plan for your journey, including teaching you what you need to know, not just selling you what you need to have.
I swear this is the best place in the world. Bill and crew take such good care of you, I cant even say here how helpful they were to us. The place is picturesque, open, and awesome. The staff couldnt be better, and they have EVERYTHING.
Love this place! Love the view! 😍
Knowledgeable staff, great place to stop while youre on the trail.
This place is amazing. A must see stop if you love the outdoors and a landmark for the Appalachin Trail. People inside were nice and took the time to help educate us.
Beautiful location. Great selection. Clerk very helpful and friendly.
Great place to hike
Really nice staff we were just getting off trail and our truck had been shuttled to parking just down the road a staff member offered to drop me at my truck that was very nice. They went over and above any expectations.
Awesome folks at Mountain Crossings. Very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Nice gear selection and some beautiful views out back. Want to come back when Im not in such a hurry.
I love this store I stopped in just about every time I pass by. Everyone you meet and that store its got a cool story all the employees are very helpful. They have a great selection no matter what youre looking for with quality items!
One of my favorite places of all time!!! Great family of helpful employees. The hostel is a fun place to stay on your thru-hike or just to get away for a mountain superbowl. Thanks for being such a great place!!!
If hiking in the area this is a good place to go. Staff is great the hostel is old but after youre first few days on the trail its as new as you want it to be.
Gets a steady flow of hikers, cyclists, and a rest stop for motorists. Water spigot is around the right side, with a nice overlook.
Beautiful place, nice shop!
Neat country store. We bought several jellies and a mug shaving soap. They have quite a variety of candies, etc. Also, bought a tomato that was very good.
A very enjoyable and lovely space to spend a good rest break while traveling. Exceptional way to stretch the legs.
Great view, I always stop here when driving through. This is a hikers store, not really a convenient store but they have small snacks for sale...the view is what you stop for, and theres usually plenty of parking.
Hiking the AT in North Georgia and Mountain Crossings was amazing. Great gear, awesome staff, and Red Baron microwave pizza after a long day of hiking. Thanks for being there..you guys rocked.
Fun hiking store to visit.
Was a very lovely view
While on the Appalachian trial, this is a life saving waypoint full of everything you can think of to safely continue your journey
A great piece of Appalachian Trail history. Lots of good gear and great advice for backpackers. Good gifts also.
Great outfitter and gift shop right on the AT.
Awesome place, friendly staff. Even let me use a shovel to move the snow and ice from behind my Jeep so we wouldnt slide around when backing out of the parking lot.
One of the staff members was very helpful and friendly
Manager was rude and somewhat belligerent. They lost a large sale and any future business from my party. After talking with some locals the consensus seems to be that the quality of the shop has gone down hill since this manager has been in charge.
They have a large selection of a lot of different items. When we were there they were very helpful and gave great advice. I was surprised by the amount of food and hiking gear.
Cool area to stop and stretch you legs. I figured it would be way overpriced being in the middle of nowhere. Actually had some good deals. Friendly to hikers, and regular people. Nice picnic area.
Not quite what I expected, but I was thankful for both the store and the hostel after coming in sick from the AT. Hostel is minimalistic and can be chilly in the winter. The outlets in the bunk area do not work.
Great hiking/riding/driving mountain store!
I love mountain crossings! They fooled in away in the mountains but are so convenient for anyone that is on the Appalachian Trail between Blood Mountain and Neels Gap. They have everything a hiker/ backpacker would need!
Too expensive for me.but very impressive, especially the guy who helps w camping equipment such as demonstrates.right there, the ins and outs of the affordable (relatively) denatired alcohol stove setup.
The staff here was both easy to approach and able any questions about your gear or upcoming hike. They helped find a brace for my busted knee, and get a ride back to town.
Landmark stop on the AT. Great Outdoor store where you can freshen up and resupply if needed. Always fun seeing Shoe Tree.
Very friendly staff. I was shocked by how reasonable the prices were. I was .84 short and the manager told me she would take care of it. I am going to drive through on my way back home and buy a few things just to support them.
Awesome place! People are very friendly!! All of your backpacking needs in one place!! Got to meet Bill - the Keeper of the Creeper Trail. A must stop along the AT!
No one acknowledged that me and my mother were there in the store. She was looking to buy a pack and she stood and waited on the associate to help her and he never even turned to ask if she needed his help. I felt very unwelcome and out of place in the store and I dont believe I will ever spend my money there.
Stumbled across this place just passing through! So awesome! I could have spent forever browsing and checking out the view!
Cool place but only port a potty...gross
Spent the night before Ron shuttled us to springer
A great place to visit on Blood Mountain outside of Blairsville, GA, laid back atmosphere, lots of camping and related items for purchase, the staff members were friendly and helpful with everyone who entered.
Warm, welcoming, and they sell anything you might possibly need on the trail. For instance, they sell the green superfeet inserts that you forgot to bring, thereby saving the trip.
Oh very nice well Kip relaxing prices might be a little high for like AT Hikers
Stayed at the hostel during a long section hike, so I could take a shower and do laundry. The showers were cold and the laundry didnt work. When I noted my discontent I was told, Welcome to the trail. After 40+ miles in 3 days, I didnt need an introduction. If the hostel isnt going to offer any services (seriously - no soap in the bathroom to wash my hands?), Ill stay in the woods for free next time.
Excellent knowledgeable staff who are Berri willing to spend the time for you to get it right. Theyll help shakedown your pack and give excellent tips. Highly recommend them!!
Cool outpost lots of gear for hiking the trailes friendly and helpful staff
Beautiful overlook, nice and clean walk. Clean and friendly people. The gift shop is amazing, we both some gifts.
Total reviews rating 4.7
199 Reviews for Mountain Crossings 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-28Smack dab in the middle of the trail, this store boasts a bit of everything: buy individual bandaids or poptarts or outfit yourself from the pack up. You can sit at the tables outside and restock your pack or just watch birds. Friendly, knowledgeable staff that just live to share their wisdom. Shoe Tree is a must see.
Review №2
2022-06-20Blood mountain is my alltime favorite ride and i have been back many times,the ride has mostly been repaved with new lines on the asphalt.everyone needs to go on this ride at least once,you will love it.for a longtime the lines were so faded that in rain or wet you couldnt see them,but that isnt the case on the curves i rode this weekend.
Review №3
2021-10-19This bit of civilization deep in the mountains is a great opportunity for AT hikers to replace gear for next few weeks of hiking, as well as a nice stop for a restroom, snack and view for those just driving through.The facility is surprisingly large, and well constructed. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The selection of goods is pretty good. I especially like the AT marker and the many boots hanging from the trees - it reminds me of Philmont.
Review №4
2021-08-03The people who work here are so nice. I hiked through on the AT and they were so kind I took my family back when I got off the trail. Great selection. They have the gear that backpackers need and believe me, they know backpacking! It is owned by a couple of through hikers.
Review №5
2022-05-18Things are definitely marked up but that’s to be expected. They have some cool magnets and stickers and there’s a good variety food to restock with. The port-a-potties were surprisingly clean. This is the only part on the Appalachian Trail that you have to walk through a building. The people here are super friendly, you can use their water/electric sockets to fill up and charge up.
Review №6
2022-03-28Difficult location for reception. Great option for misc resupply and to have your bag looked at.
Review №7
2021-11-19Love this place!! Went back here twice and got great info from Justin!! Beautiful path out the back that leads to the Appalachian trail!
Review №8
2022-01-17I have hiked Blood Mountain more times than I can count. Today we went to enjoy the snow and visited the store (like usual). The store had no power however, they welcomed us with open arms (taking Venmo). The employees were so cheerful and offered up the fire to warm up. I have always loved this store. Today made me love it even more.
Review №9
2022-01-31Unique place, lots of history there and a very interesting building. Always very friendly and helpful people there and a huge selection of backpack gear, naturally, sitting directly on the AT. And, the ONLY building ON the entire AT. Parking and restrooms (port potties). Always stop there for a rest and a Cliff Bar.
Review №10
2022-06-05Great selection of gear and souvenirs. Would like to see more GF options available. Shop keeper was helpful, knowledgeable, and kind. There are bathrooms and a shower room but the hostel is no longer in business. Great view of the mountains from the picnic area. If you are collecting AT Passport stamps, you can get your stamp at the counter-self serve.