High Mountain Huts of the White Mountains

AMC Huts

AMC makes it easier to experience the wild, unique landscapes of the White Mountains without the added pack weight of items, such as tents and cookstoves, that guests would need for a more traditional backpacking trip.

Each hut has its own rustic charm, steeped in 150 years of history and mountain lore. Our friendly hut croos live on-site and try to make every guest’s visit special through their high-mountain entertainment, trip planning support, and shared love of the outdoors.

Meals included
Hike-in

Description

Plan Your Stay

Hiking Hut-to-Hut

Activities

Resources

Pack List

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.

The chart below ranks the most direct hikes to each hut from easiest to most difficult and is a helpful starting point when trying to plan out your stay.

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

*Elevation based on 1-meter resolution Lidar.

**Mileage based on surficial 3D distance derived from 1-meter resolution Lidar; may differ from guidebook stats.

***Cumulative Elevation Gain is not the net gain (differential) between TH and Hut; it is the amount of uphill only.

The difficulty of hiking to each hut varies by location. Our hut system includes options for experienced hikers as well as beginners and families. 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.

Each AMC hut offers daily programs, including activities for kids, for our guests to learn more about the natural and cultural history of the unique environments our facilities call home.

Our friendly hut “croos” operate each hut and are an essential part of the hut system’s rich history. Whether they are providing high-mountain entertainment in the form of an informational skit, helping a guest plan out their hiking itinerary for the day, or preparing a delicious meal, our croos try their best to make a stay at the huts special for first timers and veterans alike.

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.

Want to go with an AMC Outdoor Guide to Carter Notch Hut? Check out our Guided Adventures.

Interested in planning a larger group trip? Contact our Group Sales Department at [email protected].

Do you need a trip planning resource? Check out the AMC WhiteMountain Guide and map set.

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.

View permit information for Lonesome Lake Hut.

Full-Service Season

Gear

Backpack with waistbelt to carry extra layers, water and lunch, overnight gear
Pack cover, trash bag or other pack liner
Trekking Poles
Two 1-liter water bottles or hydration system
Sleeping bag rated 35 – 45 degrees, synthetic or down
Travel pillow
Headlamp/flashlight with extra batteries
Hand towel, toiletries, personal medications

Outerwear

Waterproof rain jacket with hood
Waterproof rain pants
Midweight fleece jacket or wool sweater
Hiking pants/shorts depending on temperature

Clothing

Synthetic t-shirts/long sleeves for each day
Hiking socks (wool or synthetic) for each day plus one extra
Lightweight thermal bottoms, synthetic or wool
Down/synthetic insulated jacket or vest
Wool or fleece hat
Lightweight or liner gloves

Footwear

Hiking boots or low-cut hikers, broken in
Shoes for the hut: crocs, slippers, etc.

Other Essentials

Map and compass
First Aid Kit
Emergency shelter, such as a mylar blanket
Duct tape/gear repair kit
Pocket knife/small multi tool
Matches/Firestarter
Sunglasses with retainer strap
Sunblock and lip balm
Extra food/snacks
Whistle
External battery for charging electronic devices
Headphones/ear plugs for bunkroom
Cash/card for hut purchases and gratuity

Self-Service Season

Gear

Snowshoes
Traction device: stabilizers, micro-spikes, etc.
Backpack with waistbelt to carry extra layers, water and lunch, overnight gear
Pack cover, trash bag or other pack liner
Trekking poles
Two 1-liter water bottles
Sleeping bag, rated 0 to 20 degrees.
- Bringing a sleeping bag liner can add warmth without a lot of added weight
Travel Pillow
Headlamp/flashlight with extra batteries
Hand towel, toiletries, personal medications

Outerwear

Waterproof rain jacket with hood
Waterproof rain pants
Midweight fleece jacket or wool sweater

Clothing

Mid or lightweight thermal tops, synthetic or wool
Mid or lightweight thermal bottoms, synthetic or wool
Fleece or wool pants
Down or synthetic insulated jacket or vest
Wool or wool blend hiking or ski socks, one for each day plus one extra
Balaclava or neck gaiter for face protection
Wool or fleece hat
2 pairs of heavy warm gloves or mittens

Footwear

Insulated, waterproof winter hiking boots
Insulated slippers or comfortable shoes for the hut

Other Essentials

Sleeping bag liner for extra warmth
Hand and toe warmers
Gaiters
Water bottle parkas or mittens/wool socks that fit around the bottle
Thermos
Map and compass
First Aid Kit
Emergency shelter, such as a mylar blanket
Duct tape/gear repair kit
Pocket knife/small multi tool
Matches/Firestarter
Sunglasses with retainer strap
Sunblock and lip balm
Extra food/snacks
Whistle
External battery for charging electronic devices
Headphones/ear plugs for bunkroom
Cash/card for hut purchases and gratuity

Location Information

Lonesome Lake Hut

With spectacular views of Franconia Ridge across a pristine glacial lake, Lonesome Lake Hut offers big mountain scenery without the big mountain effort. Learn More

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Meals Included
Water
Shuttle

Shuttle stop at the trailhead
Hike-In
No dogs overnight

Greenleaf Hut

Greenleaf Hut surrounds guests with high mountain beauty as you enjoy stunning views of Franconia Ridge, Cannon Mountain, and the Kinsmans. Learn More

Book Now

Meals Included
Water
Shuttle

Shuttle stop at the trailhead
Hike-In
No dogs overnight

Galehead Hut

Stay a night at Galehead Hut and experience soaring peaks, sublime waterfalls, and never-ending views. Have a seat on our front porch and take it all in. Learn More

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Meals Included
Water
Shuttle

Shuttle stop at trailhead
Hike-In
No dogs overnight

Zealand Falls Hut

Whether you’re an experienced hiker, beginner, or traveling as a family, Zealand Falls Hut is the perfect backcountry destination any time of year. Visit in the fall for some of the best leaf-peeping around. Learn More

Book Now

Meals Included
Water
Shuttle

Shuttle stop at trailhead
Hike-In
No dogs overnight

Mizpah Spring Hut

Mizpah Spring Hut, located just off the legendary Crawford Path, is an ideal stopping point before or after an exploration of the southern Presidential Range. Come for the views, stay for the library. Learn More

Book Now

Meals Included
Water
Shuttle

Shuttle stop at trailhead
Hike-in
No dogs overnight

Lakes of the Clouds Hut

Stay a night at our most popular hut, steps away from some of the most iconic high peaks in the White Mountains. AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut provides exceptional mountain views and even better sunsets. Learn More

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Meals Included
Water
Shuttle

Shuttle stop at the trailhead
Hike-in
No dogs overnight

Madison Spring Hut

Madison Spring Hut sits above treeline in the famed Presidential Range, nestled between the northern peaks of Mount Adams and Madison. This hut has sunset views that will knock your socks off after a day on the trail. Learn More

Book Now

Meals Included
Water
Shuttle

Shuttle stop at trailhead
Hike-in
No dogs overnight

Carter Notch Hut

Stay a night at Carter Notch Hut and encounter a world of rock jumbles, towering cliffs, and tranquil mountain lakes. This lesser-known hut is for those in search of quiet trails and unforgettable summits. Learn More

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Meals Included
Water
Shuttle

Shuttle stop at the trailhead
Hike-In
No dogs overnight

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High Mountain Huts

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Start your own tradition of staying at an AMC Hut and experience the adventure of a lifetime.

AMC Huts

Meals included

Hike-in

Location Information

Meals Included

Water

Shuttle

Hike-In

No dogs overnight

Meals Included

Water

Shuttle

Hike-In

No dogs overnight

Meals Included

Water

Shuttle

Hike-In

No dogs overnight

Meals Included

Water

Shuttle

Hike-In

No dogs overnight

Meals Included

Water

Shuttle

Hike-in

No dogs overnight

Meals Included

Water

Shuttle

Hike-in

No dogs overnight

Meals Included

Water

Shuttle

Hike-in

No dogs overnight

Meals Included

Water

Shuttle

Hike-In

No dogs overnight

Book Now

Plan your visit to New Hampshire's High Mountain Huts.