First Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Focussed Hotel Stop in Oregon: Welcome to The Columbia Hotel
You know that moment when you roll into Ashland and your pack still feels welded to your shoulders? You’ve just come off snow, sketchy traverses, cold mornings, and the kind of “type 2 fun” that becomes hilarious only after you’re warm again. Oregon is next, resupply is urgent, and all you want is simple: a real bed, a real shower, and a place that gets it.
That’s exactly why The Columbia Hotel exists for PCT hikers.
Before we opened our doors, we spent over a year doing the homework: listening to hikers, learning the rhythms of a thru, and building a mid-trail landing zone that feels like a reset button. Not a “tourist hotel that tolerates backpacks.” A place designed for people who’ve walked 1,700+ miles and need a soft place to land.
Built for the midpoint reality
Ashland is a major PCT resupply hub and a perfect place to regroup before the long stretch through Oregon and into Washington. But what makes the difference isn’t just where you can buy shoes, fuel, and snacks.
It’s what happens right after you arrive.
Early check-in + a shower first changes everything.
That first hot rinse, clean towel, and a real robe? It flips your whole nervous system from “survive” to “recover.” We’re obsessed with that moment because it’s the fastest way to make you feel human again.
And yes, hikers always say the same thing at check-in:
“One night. One night only.”
Totally. We believe you.
Then the shower happens. The laundry disappears and comes back clean. The bed hits like a tranquilizer dart. You make it to the bar. You run into trail friends. You meet new ones. Suddenly your “one night” turns into two… sometimes three.
We’re not here to ruin anyone’s FKT dreams… but we are here to make your zero day dangerously comfortable.
What you’ll find here at The Columbia Hotel
A safe, welcoming space where hikers can rest, reset, and reconnect. Whether you’re solo, with a trail family, or somewhere in-between, you’ll have a spot to breathe and get your systems back online.
Here’s what we offer PCT hikers:
Hostel-style beds (PCT hikers only)
Showers with robes, towels, and quality shower products
Light breakfast: coffee + fruit
Free laundry service
Hiker box + clothing swaps
Shuttle service from the trail
Drop box service
Occasional Trail Trash Discos on Fridays
Why it matters to us
I’m Jay Bowen, and I’ve slept in enough questionable backpacker beds around the world to know the difference between “it’ll do” and “thank god.” I may not be hiking the PCT myself, but I love hosting the people who are. The energy hikers bring to Ashland is special: tired, gritty, kind, hilarious, and somehow still moving north.
The Columbia is meant to feel like that good hostel you still remember years later, the one where you actually met people, laughed, recovered, and walked out stronger.
And because I haven’t done the PCT, I’m always learning. If you’ve stayed with us, tell me what would make this stop even better. If you’re coming through soon, know this: we built this place so you can rest hard, resupply fast, and get back to the trail feeling ready.
Learn more about PCT Services at The Columbia Hotel here.
