Welcome to Bear’s Den
An official hiker hostel in Northern Virginia
The historic stone mansion sits on 66 acres and is 150 yards from the Appalachian Trail.
We provide a gateway connecting people to the “rollercoaster” section of the Appalachian Trail.
Bears Den is owned by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and operated by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. The stone mansion sits on 66 beautiful acres and offers a westward-facing overlook of the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains. We offer an array of services including a drop-in long-distance backpacker hostel with full services, accommodations for group or private party rentals, a primitive campground, a rustic cottage and a contact for all your hiking, shuttle, and slackpack needs.
The Lodge
Spend the night in a secluded stone lodge built in the 1930s. Originally a private mansion, the impressive 8,000 square foot facility is nestled in the peaceful woods of the Blue Ridge Mountains; and only 150 yards from the Appalachian Trail. MORE…
Hiker Hostel
Bears Den is set to model a European castle. The lodge is 150 yards from the Appalachian Trail. There you stand in the middle of the Roller Coaster section, a 13.5-mile up and down rocky path that offers challenging hiking, scenic overlooks, and bubbling mountain stream crossings. MORE…
Campground
Starlit sky, the nighttime sounds of nature and crackle of a campfire … Bears Den offers a primitive camping experience only 100 yards from your car. The campground has five sites, each with its own fire ring and picnic table. Each site can fit 2-3 tents, or more. One bundle of wood per site will be provided at check in from the lodge. Additional wood can be purchased for $6/bundle. MORE…
Cottage in the Woods
If private, quiet, rustic and cozy are what you’re seeking, the cottage is the place to stay. Think hiker cabin! Lounge in the living room by the fireplace or sit on the wooden deck and read a book in the middle of the forest. Get back to the basics. The cottage is a 1/4 mile hike from the day use parking lot. It is about 1/2 mile from the Appalachian Trail and Bears Den Rock Overlook. MORE…
