AMC Carter Notch Hut. Photo by Brady Robinson.
The Appalachian Mountain Club has been operating its High Mountain Huts in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest since 1888, and in the past 130+ years, we’ve gotten to know New Hampshire pretty well. Even if you’ve been coming to New Hampshire every year, there’s something new to explore. And if you’ve never been to the Granite State, what are you waiting for? Book a stay with AMC this summer and discover the best landscapes, small towns, winding roads, watering holes, and people you’ll ever meet. Leave the crowded parking lots to the clueless tourists; this is your guide to the best local spots in New Hampshire, from us to you.
Book a New Hampshire stay with AMC
Carter Notch Hut
Stay a night at Carter Notch Hut and encounter a world of rock jumbles, towering cliffs, and tranquil mountain lakes. Carter Notch is a hidden gem within AMC’s iconic High Mountain Huts system in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest. If you’re looking for quiet trails and unforgettable summits, this is the hut for you.
Appalachian Trail. Photo by Corey David Photography.
The Appalachian Trail
I know what you’re thinking: the legendary AT as a best-kept secret?! But with nearly 2,200 miles to explore, you’ve really got to be in the know to recommend a spectacular stretch of it. Bethany Taylor, AMC’s Huts Manager, has a specific segment in mind for intrepid explorers:
“I am particularly partial to the Appalachian Trail north of Carter Notch Hut. It’s very much a steep push up and out of the beautiful glacial valley of Carter Notch, but absolutely worth the scramble. The steepness of the trails leading up to and away from Carter Notch cannot be overemphasized—the nearby Wildcat Ridge has the steepest mile of the entire AT—but once up and on the more open ridge between Carter Dome and Mt. Hight, it’s lovely and offers a special view back towards the Presidential Range. Getting above treeline in good weather and either good company or good solitude is the best.”
Carter Notch Hut Shirt Carter Notch Hut Hoodie
AMC Mizpah Springs Hut. Photo by Corey David Photography.
Mizpah Springs Hut
Because hikers on the Crawford Path are so eager to get to Lakes of the Clouds Hut, AMC’s most famous High Mountain Hut, Mizpah Spring Hut, a third of the way between AMC’s Highland Center and Lakes, is often bypassed. That’s a shame, because Mizpah is an ideal base for exploring the southern Presidential Range, and it’s particularly accessible to families. 2 to 4 hours of hiking on the moderate Crawford Path with 2,000 feet of elevation gain will get you to a comfortable bunk, hot meals, and naturalist programming by AMC’s hut croo.
Super Secret Ice Cream
One you’ve made your way back down the Crawford Path, treat yourself to a singular ice cream cone with a stop at Super Secret Ice Cream in Bethlehem, NH. A 20-minute drive from the Crawford Path Trailhead will get you to the James Beard Award-nominated ice cream shop. With flavors like nectarine elderflower and Mount Cabot maple, you’ll enjoy scoops featuring North Country ingredients that you can’t find anywhere else in New Hampshire. Take your cone to the covered shed behind the shop for a blissful experience—you’ve earned it.
AMC High Cabin. Photo by Corey David Photography.
High Cabin
High Cabin is a rustic retreat for backcountry enthusiasts looking for a secluded escape with breathtaking scenery. A two-mile hike from AMC’s Cardigan Lodge, High Cabin is protected just below the tree line on the saddle between the Mount Cardigan summit and South Peak. Bring a group and book this 12-bunk cabin as your secret hideaway in southern New Hampshire. Because this is a hike-in self-service cabin, High Cabin is a real “iykyk” basecamp for hikers to explore Cardigan Mountain State Park.
AMC Cardigan Lodge. Photo by Corey David Photography.
Cardigan Campsites
If you want the tent-on-a-platform experience without hiking in and cooking all your food, another secret hack is to book one of AMC’s Cardigan Campsites. James Wrigley, AMC Director of Occupancy, notes that the Cardigan Campsites offer a range of roadside and hike-in tent platforms. The Clark Brook Campsite is a group site 1.1 miles from Cardigan Lodge, which means you can enjoy the experience of backcountry camping—but you also have the option of reserving a hot meal at the lodge to make your trip a little more luxurious.
AMC Cold River Camp. Photo by James Doucett (2020 AMC Photo Contest).
Cold River Camp
Did you know that AMC volunteers run ten camps and cabins? For over a hundred years, Cold River Camp on the border of New Hampshire and Maine has offered guests an authentic New England hiking camp experience in the White Mountains, great for all ages. For generations, families have enjoyed their weeklong stay at CRC. But what you may not know is that partial week reservations of three nights are also available, as well as reduced pricing in the “extension” season in late summer. Call the Camp Registrar before June 21, 2025 at (914) 747-3194 for a secret code to submit your online registration.