Shaw's Hiker Hostel

What an exceptional place. Exceptional service and exceptional company. For those hiking the AT, this really is a social hub and the all around service point for reaching and returning from Katahdin. You won't have cell service at Abol Bridge or in Baxter, so you'll want to make your return arrangements here. They offer a good range of budget and modest accommodations as well as supplies and amenities. Be sure to stop for the breakfast. Took a shuttle ride back from Katahdin with Poet, and I think he might be one of the friendliest most charming men on the planet. True to his name, he also quotes poetry. I can't recommend this place enough.

An amazing place that requires no second guessing, if you are through hiking or section hiking in Maine don’t hesitate stay here. Like someone else says it’s a whole vibe. I stayed here before hiking part of the 100 mile wilderness and poet and hippie chick and their entire crew were amazing. Worth every penny especially the breakfast! They are the sweetest people and the gear shop is also awesome. 10/10 I will be back.

Definitely one of the best hostels on the AT. The entire vibe of this place was great. Poet and Hippie Chick are some of the coolest people I've met and their gear shop is no joke. Also the 11 dollar breakfast was a must. All you can eat blueberry pancakes!

Iconic as the stories. Great location, affordable, and the best breakfast around. Did a campervan spot, and has a whole resupply store.

Highly recommend this hostel, it's absolutely amazing! The breakfast is totally worth more than what they charge, the gear shop will help with any issues you may have. The resupply is well stocked. The sleeping areas are clean and comfortable. Close to everything in town, with the greatest vibes. I definitely plan on staying there anytime I'm in that area!!

I absolutely do recommend this place. The owners, Hippie Chic and Poet are very welcoming and try their best to talk to everyone staying at their place. They are very knowledgeable about the area and can help you with any issue you might encounter while hiking the Appalachian Trail. The breakfast that Poet makes each and every morning is amazing and will be wrote about in the history books. Very clean accommodations when it comes to the bunkhouse, private rooms and restrooms. Nearby restaurants to have lunch and supper at and also a lake to play in while you take a day or

Breakfast was amazing. Plus they got a piano and guitars. It's a vibe. You're gonna spend a lot of money here! (And not regret it one bit!)

A host to many many hikers annually, Shaw's hosts a filling breakfast of eggs, amazing home fries, bacon, and blueberry (pictured) and/or chocolate chip pancakes (destruction of said breakfast pictured). Arrangements include shared rooms as well as lawn tenting and a solid resupply shop. Having been around since 1977, Hippie Chick and Poet know their stuff. Even if you don't stay here, it's worth checking out and picking their brains. A must stop for hikers or folks who just want a hot, home-made breakfast (call the day before to make a reservation). Open seasonally late spring into the end of October.

I can't thank the staff enough for their friendliness and helpfulness! They have everything a hiker could want or need and they are very accommodating. Breakfast is excellent, the beds are comfortable, and the location is perfect! All the other hikers we encountered at the hostel were also very kind and helpful. I would absolutely stay here again.

Great hostel for AT hikers. I stayed here after hiking through the 100 mile wilderness and was immediately greeted by friends. Poet and Hippie Chick are very knowledgeable former hikers and know what hikers need. The breakfast was phenomenal. The rooms were large enough that you could spread out. My only concern was the hot water which was too hot. If someone was doing laundry while you were showering, the water would vacillate between frigid and scalding. I was happy to take a zero here.

I really can’t say enough about this place and the people who run it. I was only there for a couple hours one morning when I finished up hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness, but in that time I went from feeling to totally spent and tired to feeling refreshed both in body in mind. Seamless trail pick-up, spotless showers and laundry facility, best breakfast of my life, warm and inviting atmosphere, and truly genuine people I was lucky enough to meet and chat with. A true gem and staple of the trail with countless tips and helpful advice. Would give it more stars if I could and hope to return someday!

This place is terrific! They cater to every hiker need, have great accommodations, delicious breakfast and will pick you up or drop you off almost anywhere in ME. Even better - Poet and Hippie Chick are genuine and caring people and amazing human beings. Great place for a break before or after the 100 mile wilderness !

It gets no better than Shaw’s for a relaxed, everything you need, hostel.

The owners are fantastic and want to ensure your hiker needs are satisfied. The resupply, while most hikers will say is pricey, has all of the essentials that you need.

The common areas are great for hanging out with fellow hikers. The beds are nice and clean.

It’s close to the Monson General Store for deli sandwiches or additional resupply.

Oh...and the breakfast...it’s a must. Eggs, bacon, and all you can eat pancakes. Well worth it.

This review is about 8 years late but I came through while thru hiking the AT I’m 2015. All the photos attached brought me right back. Nothing but kindness and happy faces all around. I’ll def stop in again on my next thru hike

Great hostel. Helpful and welcoming hosts, resupply and gear shop on site is cool. Showers and beds were great. The breakfast is also good and huge so i recommend that as well

Everything about this place is amazing, (stayed here on my SOBO hike last year). The people, the atmosphere, the food. You just need to stay here. Do it.
Poet and the gang are always super friendly and helpful and the breakfasts can't be beat (who doesn't love blueberry pancakes?!)
Awesome job guys, keep up the good work!

Great place to take a break from thru hiking the AT. Small but nice gear and restock shop. Shuttle service for the area. Run by friendly, knowledgeable couple. Great breakfast! Interesting small town with local interesting places to visit or eat ! NICE hostel for non hikers too.

Super nice folks and the beat breakfast in all of Maine! The Poet and Hippie Chick are incredibly welcoming people and take great care of you. Plenty of supplies are available as well as a bed and shower and the best blueberry pancakes in all the land. Highly recommended!

Awesome stop for hikers - no upper bunks!! Good resupply and all town stuff in easy walking distance. Great gathering spaces for hikers to socialize and recharge. Excellent spot to prepare for the 100 MW (or to recover from it if SOBO)! And I was able to replace my broken trekking pole at Poet's Gear Emporium.

To give Shaw's Hostel 5 stars is a disservice. It deserves far more.

I stopped by to pick up some gear from Poet's Gear Emporium on the way back from Gulf Hagas. The energy surrounding the area is absolutely fantastic! One could definitely stay for hours listening to the stories around the place.

If you're in the Monson area, Shaw's Hiker Hostel is definitely a place worth going to.