Skip to content

Choosing the Correct AMC High Mountain Hut: A Guide

AMC High Mountain Huts Manager, Bethany Taylor, discloses exclusive details about each of the AMC's mountain retreats nestled in New Hampshire's White Mountains.

Choosing the Suitable AMC High Mountain Hut: A Guide
Choosing the Suitable AMC High Mountain Hut: A Guide

Choosing the Correct AMC High Mountain Hut: A Guide

Discover the Unique Charm of AMC's High Mountain Huts

Nestled in the heart of the White Mountains, the Appalachian Mountain Club's (AMC) High Mountain Huts offer a unique blend of adventure, sustainability, and history. Each hut possesses its own distinct personality and setting, providing visitors with immersive and environmentally responsible backcountry experiences.

For families and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a memorable adventure, Zealand Falls Hut is a great destination. With a 2.8-mile trail along an old logging railroad track, it offers a relatively level hike that leads to stunning waterfalls, scenic vistas, and a close-knit community experience. Adjacent to the Pemigewasset Wilderness, this hut is a haven for those seeking a taste of wilderness living.

Carter Notch Hut, built in 1914, boasts a cozy main hut, two 8-bedroom bunkhouses, and a bathhouse. Located at the confluence of the Appalachian Trail, the 19 Mile Brook Trail, and the Wildcat River Trail, this hut is a hub for hikers traversing the region.

Madison Spring Hut, in operation since 1888, offers access to Mount Madison, the Adams Family Quintet of peaks, and Star Lake. After its rebuild in 2011, the hut exudes a sense of being out of linear time, transporting guests to another era.

Mizpah Spring Hut, with a library room and accommodations for 60 guests, is a unique structure that resembles a combination of a pirate ship and a horse barn. The typical trail to Mizpah offers opportunities to explore the alpine zone and Presidential Ridge on Mount Pierce, Mount Jackson, and Dry River Wilderness.

Lonesome Lake Hut, a popular starting point for hut adventures, is a 1.5-mile hike from Lafayette Place that includes steep and rocky sections. It has 10 separate bunkrooms in two bunkhouses, making it a good spot for families.

The AMC High Mountain Huts are powered by renewable energy sources such as solar panels, feature energy-efficient technologies like heat pumps and induction stoves, and incorporate insulated building envelopes to reduce emissions and support AMC’s broader Net Zero Plan. This eco-conscious infrastructure ensures reliable heating, hot water, and home-cooked meals in an off-grid, remote setting.

These huts are tied to exceptional trail systems, such as the Maine Huts & Trails system, which offers some of the best trails in the world, featuring winding switchbacks, natural bridges, and streams. AMC maintains a dedicated stewardship of trails and hut leases that ensures public access to these special backcountry places for generations.

To book a stay at any of the AMC High Mountain Huts, contact the AMC Contact Service Center for reservations, trip planning, and trail advice. Whether you're seeking adventure, history, or a connection to nature, the AMC High Mountain Huts offer an unforgettable experience.

Read also:

Latest