The AMC maintains and operates this US Forest Service facility under a special use permit. Located 2.4 miles up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail from the AMC’s Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, camping at the shelters provides access to Tuckerman Ravine and the summit of Mt. Washington as well as many other trails.
This area is the only legal campsite on the eastern slopes of Mt. Washington. The following recommendations are intended to assist you group in preparing for a safe and rewarding experience at this site.
Accommodations and Facilities - 5 three-sided shelters, 3 four-sided shelters, 3 tent platforms for a total accommodation of 86 people.
- Caretaker on duty at Cabin year-round mornings and evenings.
- Weather forecast, seasonal avalanche report, and backcountry register available in Caretaker Cabin lobby.
- Emergency supplies available for sale at Cabin when staffed.
- Summer: Potable water is available from a hand-pump located 500 ft. up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, flush toilets are open.
- Winter: Untreated water is available from the Cutler River. Chemically treating, filtering, or boiling the water is recommended, outhouses are available in winter, spring, and fall.
Permitting - Permits must be purchased at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center Front Desk the day you plan on camping at Hermit Lake.
- Organized groups must call ahead to confirm space availability at (603) 466-2721 ext. 8116.
- All members of your party must be present when purchasing multiple spaces.
- Pinkham Notch Visitor Center is open from 6:30am – 10:00pm daily.
General Guidelines for Hermit Lake Leave No Trace
- The AMC and the US Forest Service require all visitors to follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles.
- Prepare & cook meals at your shelter or tent site using backpacking stoves. Dry wells are located at each site and are only for washing dishes.
- All visitors MUST carry out all of their personal trash. This includes any garbage produced and extra food not consumed. Please leave your site cleaner than you found it!
No fires
Open campfires are not permitted at the Hermit Lake Shelters, please use a stove for cooking.
Be considerate of other visitors
Shelter space shelter space and the peaceful mountain environment must be shared by everyone. Respect the rights of other guests, with particular attention to your noise level and the social atmosphere around you. If your group is occupying more than one shelter or tent site, it is recommended that group leaders disperse themselves amongst the group. While the caretaker will be happy to explain shelter guidelines, group leaders must ultimately be responsible for the supervision of their group at the shelter. Quiet hours are from 9:30pm to 6:30am.
Dogs
As Hermit Lake is a public facility, dogs are not permitted as overnight guests.
Plan Ahead and Prepare - AMC's Backcountry Weather Report and the USFS Avalanche Report are both online, or may be obtained by calling Pinkham Notch Visitor Center at (603) 466-2721 ext. 8133 (weather), ext. 8134 (avalanche), and ext. 8116 (trail information.)
- Read more about Tuckerman Ravine & safe spring skiing >>
- All commercial group trips heading into the White Mountain National Forest need to apply for an Outfitter Guide Permit from the US Forest Service. Please contact the WMNF District Office at (603) 528-9529.
- Recommended group size is 10 people traveling and camping together.