With spectacular views of the Franconia Ridge across a pristine glacial lake, Lonesome Lake Hut offers big mountain scenery without the big mountain effort. Lonesome Lake is just 1.6 miles from the trailhead, making it an ideal first-time backcountry experience and a great intro to AMC’s hut system. More experienced hikers will find plenty of challenge, with nearby Cannon Mountain, the Kinsman Ridge, and miles of Appalachian Trail beyond.
Located in Franconia Notch State Park, Lonesome Lake Hut is open year-round. Visit in the summer and fall and savor our delicious, home-cooked breakfasts and dinners. Or opt for a quieter overnight escape during other seasons and bring your own food. Our caretaker will be waiting.
Check Availability and Rates
Lonesome Lake Hut Season
Self Service Season
January 1 – May 31
October 21 – December 31
Full-Service Season
June 4 – October 17
For a full list of season dates and policies for all AMC Huts, view our White Mountain Huts Open/Close Calendar.
Accommodations
Rooms
AMC Huts are in backcountry locations and are “off the grid”. Lonesome Lake Hut offers co-ed bunkrooms and separate washrooms with toilets. Bunkhouses are not heated and have no lighting. Electrical outlets are not available.
Full-Service Season
Each guest is provided with a pillow and 3 wool blankets. Cold running water is available in the washrooms. Please bring an appropriately-rated sleeping bag and a headlamp or flashlight.
Self-Service Season
In winter, each guest is provided with a pillow. Blankets are not provided during self-service season. Rooms stay cold, so please bring an appropriately-rated sleeping bag and a headlamp or flashlight. A caretaker is available from 4:00-10:00 PM and from 7:00-10:00 AM. The caretaker may light a fire in the main building after 4:00 PM.
Meal Service
Full-Service Season
Dinner and breakfast are included with your stay.
Dinner is served family-style at 6:00 PM sharp and includes fresh bread, soup, salad, a hearty entrée, and dessert. With advance notice, we can offer child-friendly meal options and accommodate dietary preferences including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets.
Breakfast is served family-style at 7:00 AM sharp and includes eggs with pancakes or a baked good, plus hot cereal, fruit and breakfast meat, like bacon or sausage, with coffee, cocoa or tea.
Lunch: bring your own; otherwise soup and baked goods are available during the day.
Please notify AMC Reservations if you have food allergies or any other dietary needs. Please Carry In/Carry Out all trash and recyclables.
Self-Service Season
Guests pack in their own food and have full use of the hut’s stove, oven, cookware and serviceware. Please plan to Carry In/Carry Out all personal trash and recyclables.
A caretaker is available from 4:00-10:00 PM and from 7:00-10:00 AM. The caretaker may light a fire in the main building after 4:00 PM.
Other Features
AMC has a long-standing commitment to using its huts, lodges and sporting camps as models for sustainable operations and environmental stewardship.
Our Hut Naturalist offers daily programs about the local flora and fauna before and after dinner in full-service season. Kids can complete an activity booklet to earn their Junior Naturalist patch.
AMC offers a Hiker Shuttle to major hut trailheads from Highland Center and Pinkham Notch Visitor Center/Joe Dodge Lodge (summer and fall).
The friendly AMC hut “croo” or caretaker are available to assist you with trip planning, trail information, and weather reports.
Pets
We are not able to accommodate pets at any AMC Hut. Please ask for our list of local kennels.
Quiet Hours
Please be respectful of other guests and observe quiet hours from 9:30 PM to 6:30 AM.
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are allowed in moderation and should be consumed in a responsible manner. Please carry in/carry out all containers.
Smoking
Smoking or open flame are not allowed in or near any structure.
Accolades
Top things to do
Just 1.6 miles from the trailhead, Lonesome Lake is a great first-time backcountry experience as well as a quick reward or base for more ambitious adventurers.
Spot a moose
Take an early morning stroll and you just might be rewarded with a glimpse of elusive moose munching on tasty aquatic plants in Lonesome Lake.
Head straight up
Take your pick of peaks: Cannon Mountain, the Cannon Balls, and North and South Kinsman are great peak-bagging options. And the views don’t disappoint.
Find your winter wonderland
Ski or snowshoe to Lonesome Lake Hut for a serene winter escape. The trails sparkle after a fresh snowfall, and the only other tracks you’ll see have four paws.
Learn from a naturalist
Our hut naturalists love to share their knowledge about local wildflowers, geology, and hut history during talks before and after dinner. Kids can earn their Junior Naturalist patch!
Try a guided program
We offer a range of guided outdoor skills and adventure programs year-round, including our popular Adult Adventures, Lodge-to-Hut trips, and Family Adventure Camps. View upcoming schedule.
Build your own adventure
Our guides offer custom outdoor trips on your schedule, based on your group’s interests and experience level. We offer everything from 1-2 hour, day-long, and overnight programs. Learn more.
Before You Go
What to Bring
Clothing
The right clothing and gear are essential in the unpredictable weather of the Northeast’s mountains. Even if it feels like summer in the valleys, it can be cold and winter-like on the high peaks. Use the gear guides below to make sure you’re packing everything you need for comfort and safety. Be prepared for severe weather regardless of season, dress in layers (including synthetic or wool base and insulating layers, and a windproof/waterproof outer shell), eat high energy foods, and stay hydrated.
Personal Items
Full-Service Season
A Bunk with pillow and three wool blankets are provided; bring sheets, a sleep sack or lightweight sleeping bag.
Enclosed gender-specific washrooms have cold running water, so you may want to bring a small towel or washcloth.
Dinner and breakfast are included in your hut rate, but please bring your own lunch and snacks. Some snack items, soup, or baked goods are available for purchase at the hut from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM.
Lighting is limited to common areas only. Bring a headlamp for the bunkrooms at night.
Self-Service Season
A Bunk with pillow is provided, but blankets are not available during self-service season and the bunkhouse is unheated. Bring an appropriately rated sleeping bag.
Guests must pack in their own food and have full use of the hut’s stove, oven, cookware, and serviceware. Please pack out all trash, recyclables, and food waste.
Caretaker available 4:00-10:00 PM and 7:00-10:00 AM; caretaker may light fire in wood stove on winter evenings.
Hiker Shuttle and Public Transportation
AMC’s Hiker Shuttle connects the Highland Center, Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, and the towns of Lincoln and Gorham with major trails to the huts, allowing hikers to start and end their trip at different points. The stop in the town of Lincoln is coordinated with Concord Coach bus service. The AMC Hiker Shuttle runs daily for most of the full-service hut season, from early June to mid-September. The shuttle operates weekends-only from mid-September to mid-October. Reservations are strongly recommended. View a complete schedule.
CONTACT US
Lonesome Lake Hut
Lincoln, NH 03251
amclodging@outdoors.org
Emergency Contact
Pinkham Notch Visitor Center
603-466-2721, ext. 0 (24 hours)
Reservation Changes
AMC Reservations: 603-466-2727
Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Directions to Lonesome Lake Hut
Public Transportation
AMC’s Hiker Shuttle offers transportation from Joe Dodge Lodge/Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and the Highland Center to all major approach routes to the huts in Summer and Fall. The Hiker Shuttle also picks up and drops off at the Irving gas station on Main Street in Gorham, NH. Reservations are required (call 603-466-2727).
Trail Access
Lonesome Lake Trail to Lonesome Lake Hut is considered easier because the distance is only 1.2 miles from the trailhead. While it is short, the climb to the hut is a steady uphill grade gaining 1000 feet of elevation. Book time is estimated at 1 hr, 20 min. Hikers should plan on 1-2 hours to get to Lonesome Lake. The trailhead is ccessible from the southbound lane of I-93 Franconia Notch Parkway) in Franconia Notch State Park with parking at Lafayette Campground. Park at the picnic area at the end of the south parking lot.