Facilities
Q. What are the AMC's outdoor lodging options?
A. The AMC manages more than 50 outdoor-recreation facilities throughout the Northeast from New Jersey to Maine. Options range from full-service (food and lodging) roadside lodges to remote backcountry huts (with full- and self-service options), ski lodges, camps, and shelters. Complete details may be found in the Lodging section of this Website.
Q. How do I make a reservation at an AMC hut, lodge, or camp?
A. Although you can check availability for some of our facilities online in real-time, you must make reservations by phone. For White Mountain and Cardigan Lodge (central New Hampshire) accommodations, call 603-466-2727, Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For Mohican Outdoor Center (Delaware Water Gap), call 908-362-5670.
AMC's regional camps have separate reservations systems. You can review them and other camp information in this Website's Regional Camps area.
Q. Are dogs and other pets allowed in AMC facilities?
A. Due to food preparation, the variety of visitors we receive, and in particular the close quarters and communal nature of our facilities, the AMC cannot allow pets at any of its lodges, huts, camps, or campsites located on or near lodge grounds (e.g. Cardigan and Mohican campsites).
At AMC Shelters, dogs are allowed but they must be on a leash when staying at the campsite. The U.S. Forest Service requires them to be on a leash or under voice command when hiking on the trail. For the sites that have a shelter, dogs are not allowed inside the structure. Most sites that have a shelter also have tent sites. We also ask dog owners to pick up the dog's waste and deposit in the outhouse. Check with the caretaker for a shovel and for any other guidelines regarding dogs.
Q. What AMC lodges are best for kids?
A. Many parents find that Cardigan Lodge, Joe Dodge Lodge, and Lonesome and Zealand huts are best for kids. All are either drive-up or an easy hike; all but Zealand have smaller bunkrooms. Lonesome has the lake, and Zealand has the waterfall — and water always keeps the little ones busy.
Zealand has larger bunkrooms and parents need to be considerate of others when sleeping in the room with their children....and the children need to be realistic with their expectations of privacy. Check out more details in the lodging section.
Q. What do I need to know about the USFS parking passes in the White Mountains?
A. You will need a parking pass in your vehicle when you park and leave it unattended while recreating on the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF). Passes can be purchased at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, at all USFS stations in the White Mountains, and at many local stores in the White Mountains. The cost of the pass is $5 for a one-week pass or $20 for a one-year pass. Other options are also available. Contact any U.S. Forest Service office for more information or call 603-528-8721.
Q. Are there any places to camp in the Presidential Range?
A. Camping is extremely limited throughout the Presidential Range due to the open ridge on which the trail passes. Backcountry regulations prohibit camping above treeline (i.e., where trees are less than eight feet tall) or within 1/4 mile of any trailhead, hut, shelter, tent platform, or cabin.
The AMC's Nauman Tentsite at the Mizpah Spring Hut is available first come, first served at a charge of $8 per person per night. There are five single platforms and two double platforms, with a maximum capacity of 30.
Hermit Lake Shelter at the base of Tuckerman Ravine is a non-AMC facility located about 1.5 miles from the ridge and has 10 shelters and 3 tent platforms, capacity 86. Tickets to stay at Hermit Lake must be purchased in person at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center for $10, first come, first served. Camping outside of Hermit Lake Shelter is prohibited within the Cutler River Drainage.
On the northern end of the range, The Perch, operated by the Randolph Mountain Club, is located on the Perch Path between the Randolph Path and Israel Ridge Path. It is an open-faced shelter that sleeps eight and has four tent platforms available on a first come, first served basis. A roving caretaker for the Randolph Mountain Club collects a nominal fee. First come, first served.
Osgood Campsite, operated by the WMNF, is located on the Appalachian Trail to the southeast of Mount Madison. Three tent platforms, with a total capacity of 12, are available on a first come, first served basis.
That's pretty much it for established camping areas. If you choose to leave the ridge and camp off a trail please do so with great caution and pay close attention to the backcountry camping regulations set forth by the White Mountain National Forest.
Q. How do you get all that food to the high mountain huts?
A. In the early days, hut supplies from blankets to baked beans were carried to the huts on the strong and able backs of hut crews. Though great for setting legendary hiking records in the Whites, it was hard on their bodies in later years.
Because of increased use, much of the heaviest bulk staples today are airlifted in by helicopter before the beginning of the season and then resupplied in September. Hut crews still "pack" twice a week carrying all of the meats, vegetables, and dairy products that would otherwise spoil. Each hut has its own landing platform or delivery area. If you are lucky enough to be visiting during one of these supply times, we ask only that you stand clear of the helicopter and let the crews do their work.
Q. Where does the money I spend at AMC facilities go?
A. Revenue raised from lodging, meals, merchandise, workshops, and the hiker shuttle help pay for expenses directly related to operating those facilities and programs. These revenues do not cover the costs of AMC's White Mountain National Forest operations, however. The AMC, as a nonprofit public service organization, makes up for this shortfall through membership dues, contributions, endowment income, and other club revenues.
Q. Are all AMC facilities accessible according to ADA standards?
A. Some facilities are wheelchair accessible, others are not. Some are in remote locations, accessible only via backcountry trails; some are roadside. Many facilities are making improvements to come into compliance with the recommended guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Learn more about the AMC facilities you're interested in. Then if you have further questions, call the facility contact person for the location you are interested in and ask about the accommodations you will need.
Membership
Q. What benefits does AMC membership include?
A. Annual membership entitles you to discounts on AMC lodging, workshops, guided trips, and books and maps; local chapter affiliation; and AMC Outdoors magazine (which includes feature articles, departments on gear and destinations, conservation news, and local AMC trip/program listings). Member benefits are detailed in the Membership area of this site.
Q. What products and services do AMC members get discounts on?
A. AMC members are entitled to a 10 percent discount on all AMC facilities, guided trips and skills workshops, and books and maps.
Q. What is Membership in a Bottle?
A. Membership in a Bottle is a gift membership you can give to others or yourself. It's a 32-ounce Nalgene water bottle with a $50 individual membership, a $10 gift certificate, a temporary membership ID, and a window decal. You can order Membership in a Bottle online.
Q. I got another renewal notice but I sent in my payment already. What happened?
A. Most of the time when this happens, it's due to our renewal mailing and your payment crossing paths. If you have waited for the very end of the membership term to renew, you should call 617-523-0636 and ask the Member Services Representative to check the status of your membership.
Q. I joined AMC years ago and never got involved in anything. What can I do to get involved?
A. Best place to look: your chapter newsletter or listings in the "Backcountry" section of AMC Outdoors for new member or introductory activities. Try a get-together, potluck supper, or meeting first, if you want. Most chapters offer socials and new member events to highlight the range of activities you can chose from.
If you're ready to do something active, try a chapter trip!
Outdoor Programs
Q. What outdoor adventures does the AMC offer?
A. The AMC offers hundreds of organized recreational opportunities — guided hikes, paddling trips, backpacking trips, summer and winter outdoor skills workshops — all year long. Both staff-organized programs and volunteer, chapter-based programs take place throughout the Northeast.
Staff-based programs are organized into two seasonal catalogs: spring-summer and fall-winter. You can read all about currently available programs and register online for courses through our Outdoor Adventures and Workshops catalog.
In addition, the AMC offers Teen Wilderness Adventures for 12-18 year olds and supports youth workers wishing to lead outdoor activities through the Youth Opportunities Program.
Chapter-based program information is available through the individual chapters, which publish them in their newsletters. Learn more about each AMC chapter.
Q. What is A Mountain Classroom?
A. A Mountain Classroom is our residential environmental school program. Courses can range from daylong to weeklong programs. A Mountain Classroom has programs from elementary school right up to high school. For further information on how your school can take advantage of this program, email us by selecting "A Mountain Classroom" from this email form.
Publications
Q. What guidebooks does AMC publish?
A. The AMC publishes about 50 books and maps. Most are guidebooks covering the Northeast, including the flagship AMC White Mountain Guide, published continuously since 1907. The new White Mountain Guide includes six new full-color topographical maps.
Book categories are: Adventure Narratives for your armchair favorites; Families and Children for sharing the outdoors with kids; Field Guides/Natural History for guides to flora, fauna, and wildlife; Hiking Guides for comprehensive trail information; How-To Guides to help hone your outdoor skills; Mountain History for titles that take you back in time; Multi-Sport for all-in-one guides to hiking, biking, and paddling; Paddle Sports for guides that get you out on the water; and Snow Sports for skiing and snowboarding adventure in the backcountry. Browse all our AMC books.
Q. What is Appalachia journal and how do I get it?
A. Appalachia journal is a biannual (published June and December) 160-page journal of essays, commentary, poetry, and other writings on mountain themes. Its contents represent the literary side of outdoor writing. The journal also includes mountaineering reports from around the world, AMC club affairs, and the much-discussed White Mountain Accident Reports and Analysis.
The journal is available through one-, two-, and three-year subscription ($10, $20, and $25, respectively). You can read a sample of the journal, subscribe online, or obtain a mail-in subscription form in the journal area of this Website.
Employment
Q. How do I find out about job opportunities at AMC?
A. Our current seasonal jobs and career (full-time and part-time staff) opportunities are listed in the Employment section of this Website. You can generally email your resume and cover letter directly to the hiring manager for full-time and part-time positions, or submit your application online for any of our seasonal positions.
Q. Where do I learn about AMC's employee benefits?
A. Benefits for career employees can also be found in Employment. We also offer some benefits, such as free AMC membership, to seasonal employees.
Donations to the AMC
Q. Is the AMC a 501-C-3 organization?
A. Yes. 501-C-3 designates that the AMC qualifies for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) not-for-profit tax exempt status. Donors to the AMC can therefore claim a charitable contribution on their taxes. For more details on how to support the AMC financially, go to the Donations section of our Website.
Chapters and Volunteers
Q. What is an AMC chapter?
A. AMC chapters are local organizations run by AMC volunteers. Chapter activities, coordinated and led by thousands of dedicated, trained volunteers, include hikes, canoe outings, outdoor skills trainings, social events, and more. Each of the AMC's 12 chapters has a Website, which can be accessed from this Website's Chapters section.
Q. How do I join a chapter?
A. Membership in a chapter is automatic when you join the AMC. You will be affiliated with the chapter closest to your mailing address.
Q. Can I belong to more than one chapter? Can I change my chapter affiliation?
A. Since every chapter receives an allocation to fund their activities and services based on the numbers of members who affiliate there, it is impossible to belong to more than one. You may change your chapter affiliation online, by calling 617-523-0636, or by writing to: AMC Membership, 5 Joy St., Boston, MA 02108.
Q. How do I become a leader for AMC chapter trips?
A. Think about what type of trip you're interested in leading. You would then contact the chair of the committee that sponsors that type of activity in your chapter. The committee chairs can be found under the chapter activities section in the back of our member magazine, AMC Outdoors.
It's a good idea to go on a few trips before attempting to become a leader. The committee chair will outline what steps you need to take to become a leader. Leaders may need to have experience, take an AMC leadership training and/or co-lead (apprentice) with an experienced instructors. All leaders are encouraged to attend leadership trainings.
Q. How can I find out more about outdoor leadership?
A. The AMC offers a number of training programs for people who are interested in becoming outdoor leaders or just developing some new skills. Chapters sponsor many training programs. Look under the chapter listing or the "leadership" section in the "Backcountry" section of AMC Outdoors, our member magazine. The AMC also sponsors Mountain Leadership School every year in June. For more information on this intensive backcountry training program email us by selecting "Mountain Leadership School" on this email form. The AMC also offers skill-specific trainings in backcountry practices and wilderness first aid through the chapters and at various facilities. Again you can turn to AMC Outdoors for more information, or check out the Outdoor Adventures and Workshops catalog online.
Q. How do I know which chapter trip is going to be right for me?
A. Each trip listing will also detail the skills proficiency level requested of participants. If in doubt, contact the leader. You are responsible for your own safety on these trips, but the leader can advise you and may point you in the direction of another trip that is more appropriate. Trips to popular locales on busy weekends tend to fill up quickly, so don't wait to call and register.
Q. Why do I have to pay to go on an AMC trip?
A. AMC workshops, excursions, and chapter trips that charge a fee generally cover the costs for each participant, so that the event is run on a break-even basis. Costs may include food, transport, special gear, lodging, mailings, etc. Volunteers who lead AMC trips donate their time — not only during their trip, but in all the preparation, training, and scouting that precedes an activity. Large trips or excursions sometimes defray part of the leaders' costs as an appreciation.
Q. How can I contribute my skills to AMC without being a trip leader?
A. AMC has hundreds of volunteers — but can always use more! — with skills in organizing, training, trail work, outdoor skills, finance, grassroots advocacy, and just making sure that people have what they need to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Visit our Volunteer area to learn about the many opportunities that might interest you. You can also contact your local chapter or facility chair, or call Volunteer Relations at 617-523-0655, ext. 308, to find out how your time and skills might match up with an AMC opportunity.
Q. What is the AMC's role in White Mountain search-and-rescue operations?
A. The nature of AMC operations allows us to provide equipment, communications, and volunteer personnel for backcountry emergencies. Our backcountry employees are competent outdoorspeople who all have at least a basic knowledge of wilderness medicine. Many of our staff have advanced wilderness medical training.
In an emergency, the AMC's radio repeater network is available for field communication. Rescue equipment is cached in our facilities as well.
The AMC Volunteer Search-and-Rescue Team recognizes its responsibility to mountain visitors by assisting as volunteers in emergencies under the direction of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
Merchandise
Q. Where can I find AMC logo items?
A. AMC logo items, clothing, and gifts can be purchased online through our online AMC Store, or by calling 800-AMC-HILL.
The AMC also sells clothing, equipment, and other backcountry necessities in its facilities throughout the Northeast. The widest variety is found at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center Trading Post and the Boston store on Beacon Hill. Stock in other locations varies.
