Since 1888 AMC has managed backcountry huts on the high peaks of New Hampshire’s iconic White Mountain National Forest. Each of our eight huts is accessible only on foot and connected by the famed Appalachian Trail. Guests stay overnight in warm bunks and enjoy home-cooked meals fromthe Hut “Croo,” friendly staff living and working in the mountains. Join the tradition and explore the backcountry without the heavy pack.
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AMC’s hutsbustle with activity while being surrounded by remote forests, glacial lakes, and rocky summits. By daythey’reinformationcenterswhere hikersrest, grab a snack, and checkweatherconditions. At night guestseat family-style dinners andsleep inbunkrooms withmattresses and blankets included.
On-trail backcountry lodging
Sleep with a roof over your head in the middle of the White Mountain National Forest. Sunrise and sunsets included!
A welcoming mountain community
Whether you’re thru-hiking or vacationing with the kids, there’s a place for you here. Meet hikers from across the world who have come for adventure in the White Mountains.
Home-cooked meals
Let the croo cook for you! Dinner and breakfast are included in your stay.Get a sneak peak of the Hut's dinner menu here.
Supporting the outdoors
Staying with one of America’s oldest conservation organizations means every dollar supports landscape protection, trail building, and outdoor opportunities for all.
Accessible only by foot, each of AMC’s eight huts provide rustic hospitality to overnight guests through home-cooked dinners and breakfasts, comfortable bunks, cold-running water, and bathroom facilities.While all eight huts offer unmatched scenery in the backcountry, their elevation and distance from a trailhead vary. That means there’s a hut for you, whether you’re an experienced hiker or just getting started. Explore the tabs below to discover some of the many ways to experience the huts.
| Hut | Elevation* | Mileage from Trailhead** | Cumulative Elevation Gain*** | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zealand Falls | 2,635 ft. | 2.7 miles | 714 ft. | From Zealand Rd. |
| Lonesome Lake | 2,775 ft. | 1.5 miles | 1,082 ft. | From Lafayette Campground |
| Mizpah Spring Hut | 3,793 ft. | 2.6 miles | 1,968 ft. | From Connector on Mt. Clinton Rd. |
| Carter Notch | 3,290 ft. | 3.7 miles | 2,032 ft. | via Nineteen Mile Brook Trail |
| Greenleaf | 4,200 ft. | 2.8 miles | 2,470 ft. | via Old Bridle Path |
| Lakes of the Clouds | 5,014 ft. | 2.9 miles | 2,635 ft. | via Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail from lower USFS hiker parking lot |
| Galehead | 3,777 ft. | 4.5 miles | 2,368 ft. | via Gale River Trail |
| Madison Spring | 4,795 ft. | 3.6 miles | 3,538 ft. | via Valley Way |
Spend multiple nights on the trail with a hut-to-hut traverse. Hut-to-hut trips are a great way to see some of the most iconic places in the White Mountains, like thePresidential Range andPemigewasset Wilderness.The difficulty of hiking to each hut varies by location. Our hut system includes options for experienced hikers as well as beginners and families.View availability across the hut system here.
Distances between Huts (West to East)
Cumulative Elevation Gain does not factor in the cumulative elevation loss - it is a tally of the uphill climbing only.
| Huts and Trails | Distance | Cumulative Elevation Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Lonesome to Greenleaf via Lonesome Lake Tr and Old Bridle Path (not the AT) | 4.5 miles | 2,540 ft. |
| Greenleaf to Galehead via Greenleaf Tr and Garfield Ridge Tr | 7.0 miles | 3,384 ft. |
| Galehead to Zealand Falls via Twinway | 6.4 miles | 2,018 ft. |
| Zealand Falls to Mizpah via Ethan Pond and Webster Cliff Trails (Not via Highland Center - see below) | 13.4 miles | 4,504 ft. |
| Mizpah to Lakes of the Clouds via Webster Cliff Trail and Crawford Path | 4.7 miles | 2,095 ft. |
| Lakes of the Clouds to Madison Spring via Crawford Path, Mt Washington summit, and Gulfside | 6.6 miles | 2,562 ft. |
| Madison Spring to Pinkham Notch Visitor Center via Osgood, Osgood Cutoff, Madison Gulf and Old Jackson Rd (AT) | 7.0 | 1,780 ft. |
| PNVC to Carter Notch via Lost Pond, Wildcat Ridge | 5.4 miles | 3,478 ft. |
| Zealand Falls to Highalnd Center via A-Z Trail and Avalon Trail | 5.4 miles | 1,543 ft. |
| Highland Center to Mizpah via Crawford Path and Mizpah Cutoff | 2.5 miles | 1,940 ft. |
AMC’s Guided Adventures sort out all the logistics and are led by AMC Guides who are with you every step of the way. They'll ensure you’re on the right path and provide insider knowledge of the trails, natural history and facilities throughout your trip. Check out our upcoming guided trips to the huts by clicking the button below.
White Mountain Guide: AMC's Comprehensive Guide to Hiking Trails in the White Mountain National Forest, 31st Edition
Trail Guide to Mount Washington and the Presidential Range: Abridged version of the above guide featuring the full Presidential Range and Great Gulf
Passport to AMC's High Huts in the White Mountains: Packable guidebook featuring history around the huts, suggested hikes and a passport section to gather stamps at each of the huts you visit.
Curious what's on the menu? View theHut's weekly rotating dinner menu here.
Want help planning your Hut trip? Call our Trails Information Desk at 603-466-2721 for trail advice or our reservation staff at 603-466-2727.
Interested in planning a larger group trip? Contact our Group Sales Department at[email protected].
The Appalachian Mountain Club is an equal opportunity service provider. The AMC operates its system of backcountry huts in the White Mountain National Forest under special use permit from the US Forest Service.
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