Hostel Road Trip Podcast

About Hostel Road Trip Podcast

Hostel Road Trip Podcast A Quest For The Greatest Hostels Of The Americas. The Hostel Road Trip Podcast began with a simple question: What makes a hostel unforgettable? Hosted by Jimmy Black and Bobby Dyer of ITH Hostels, this show is a founder-led journey across North and Central America to discover the heart of hostel culture — the risk-takers, the dreamers, and the communities built around shared beds and shared stories. We travel city to city, surf town to mountain pass, sitting down with the owners who built their hostels from scratch. From iconic backpacker landmarks like Green Tortoise Seattle to small-town mountain hostels and beachside surf communities, each episode explores how these spaces were imagined, built, struggled through, and ultimately brought to life. This podcast isn’t just about travel. It’s about: • Entrepreneurship • Reinvention • Community • Hospitality • Backpacker culture in America • And the courage to build something meaningful Hostels are more than a cheap place to sleep. They are launchpads for friendships, ideas, adventures, and sometimes entire life changes. Whether you’re a solo traveler looking for connection, an aspiring hostel owner dreaming of opening your own space, or someone who believes travel should bring people together — this show is for you. This is not a studio podcast. It’s recorded on the road. Inside hostels. With the people who built them. Join us as we document the modern hostel movement and chase the greatest hostels of the Americas. Explore the journey at: www.HostelRoadTrip.com (http://www.HostelRoadTrip.com) Subscribe and come along for the ride.

Publisher

James Black & Bobby Dyer

Category

business · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Jan 2024

Latest episode

17 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

70 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Oct 2026

   Park City, Utah - From Local to Manager: Running the Park City Hostel

   Bobby Dyer talks with Maury Haslock, manager of the Park City Hostel in Utah, about running a hostel in one of America's best-known mountain towns. Maury was a longtime Park City local before she took over as hostel manager. In this conversation, she shares how her roots in the community shape the guest experience, what it's like to operate a hostel in a ski town, and what makes Park City Hostel a standout stop for travelers. Whether you run a hostel, want to work in one, or are planning a trip to Park City, this episode gives you an inside look at mountain town hosteling. Park City Hostel: https://parkcityhostel.com/ (https://parkcityhostel.com/) Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0BqAN6D7rI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0BqAN6D7rI)

2. 

   3 Jul 2026

   Vancouver, CA - Canada’s Oldest HI Hostel: Education on Indigenous Land & Building Real Community

   Here's a well-optimized, search-friendly episode description for your RSS.com (http://RSS.com) podcast post: Episode Description: In this episode of Hostel Road Trip, we visit HI Vancouver, one of the most unique Hostelling International properties in Canada. We speak with the team at HI Jericho Beach, the oldest HI hostel in Canada, located right on the beach in Vancouver. We dive deep into what makes this hostel stand out — from its deep commitment to Indigenous education and land acknowledgment, to the strong sense of community they’ve built among travelers. We also compare the two HI Vancouver locations: Jericho Beach vs Downtown, so you can decide which one is the better fit for your trip. Whether you're a solo traveler, backpacker, or just looking for an authentic and community-focused hostel in Vancouver, this episode breaks down the vibe, values, and practical differences between both locations. In this episode, we discuss: The history of HI Jericho Beach and why it’s the oldest HI in Canada Their meaningful work around Indigenous education and reconciliation How they build real community among guests Jericho Beach vs Downtown: Which HI Vancouver location should you choose? Who each location is best suited for If you're planning a trip to Vancouver and want more than just a bed, this episode will help you find the right hostel experience. Links mentioned in the episode: HI Vancouver Jericho Beach: https://hihostels.ca (https://hihostels.ca) HI Vancouver Downtown: https://hihostels.ca (https://hihostels.ca) Follow Hostel Road Trip for more real conversations from hostels across North America.

3. 

   2 Apr 2026

   Cloudcroft, NM | A Solo Motorcycle Dream That Built Cloudcroft Hostel In The New Mexico Mountains

   In this episode of the Hostel Road Trip Podcast, we travel to the mountains of New Mexico to sit down with Stephanie, the founder of Cloudcroft Hostel — a rustic, community-driven mountain hostel perched at 6,700 feet in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest. What started as a solo motorcycle adventure across America in 1994 turned into a lifelong dream. Stephanie bought a dilapidated building on a hillside and spent five years restoring it by hand before opening Cloudcroft Hostel in 2006. Today, it stands as a beloved basecamp for hikers, bikers, and adventure travelers seeking connection and authentic mountain hospitality. In This Episode, We Talk About: How a solo motorcycle trip across America sparked Stephanie’s dream of opening her own hostel The five-year journey of buying and restoring a rundown building by hand Why she chose the high mountains of New Mexico as the perfect location Creating a safe, welcoming space especially for solo travelers and women adventurers What it really takes to run a small, independent mountain hostel for nearly 20 years Lessons on community, perseverance, and building something that lasts Located at 6,700 feet with 28 acres backing directly onto the national forest, Cloudcroft Hostel offers a true mountain escape — just minutes from hiking trails, scenic drives, and White Sands National Park. It’s the perfect basecamp for anyone seeking real connection and adventure in southern New Mexico. This episode is perfect for: Aspiring hostel owners and future founders Travelers exploring New Mexico and the Southwest Solo travelers and women adventurers Anyone who loves mountain hospitality and authentic, owner-operated hostels People inspired by stories of perseverance and building a dream from the ground up About Cloudcroft Hostel Cloudcroft Hostel is a rustic, intimate, owner-operated mountain hostel in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Designed for connection and adventure, it welcomes backpackers, hikers, and road-trippers looking for a genuine community experience in the heart of the Sacramento Mountains. 🔗 Learn more: https://cloudcrofthostel.com/ (https://cloudcrofthostel.com/) About Hostel Road Trip Podcast Hosted by Jimmy Black & Bobby Dyer of ITH Hostels, the Hostel Road Trip Podcast highlights inspiring hostels, passionate founders, and the communities shaping the modern hostel movement. 🌍 Explore more episodes: www.HostelRoadTrip.com (http://www.HostelRoadTrip.com)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

2,689

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 57 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

59

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

68

Contact Hostel Road Trip Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.