A trip to Georgia’s historic hiker’s refuge: Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. - We’re dubbing 2025 "the year of adventure" — which means we’re focused on finding Georgia’s most thrilling and unique attractions and experiences. 

And what better way to scale the heights of adventure than by heading way up into the North Georgia mountains and checking out a historic hiker’s refuge along the Appalachian Trail?

We’re talking about Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap, the outdoor outfitter in the 1930s stone building known as the Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center.

Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps beginning in 1934 as a dining and dance hall, the building served various purposes before being turned into Mountain Crossings in 1983. Since then, the store has been a key stop for tens of thousands of hikers on the Appalachian Trail, giving backpackers a chance to purchase and replenish supplies, connect with others, seek out advice from hiking experts, and even get a good (and dry!) night’s sleep in the outfitter’s hostel.

The shop also carries a wide selection of Appalachian Trail gifts, including hats, patches, stoneware, and souvenirs, making it a popular stop for travelers in the area who aren’t hiking the trail. That includes visitors to Georgia’s popular Vogel State Park, about three miles north of Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap. It’s also something of a tourist attraction, given the fact that the Appalachian Trail runs through the building — which makes it the only covered portion of the trail's nearly 2,200 miles!

The physical address for Mountain Crossings is 12471 Gainesville Highway in Blairsville — and regular store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Click here for more information on visiting. And to get a look at our morning inside this "only in Georgia" adventure destination, click the video player in this article.