Family Lodge-to-Hut in the White Mountains Itinerary

Remember playing in the woods as a kid? The wilderness felt wilder, the trees taller. Now that you have a family of your own, it may be time to introduce your children (and maybe re-introduce yourself) to the joys of outdoor adventure. New Hampshire’s White Mountains, with their tall peaks, flowing waterfalls, and accessible trails, are the perfect place for a family-friendly outing.

AMC’s front-country lodge in Crawford Notch, the Highland Center, is your starting point for a White Mountain adventure to inspire a lifetime of loving the outdoors. The lodge offers family-friendly educational activities, full meals, and short hikes right from your doorstep.

For older kids ready to go further, check out our itineraries for overnight adventures at two of AMC’s famous backcountry High Mountain Huts. Both Zealand Falls and Mizpah Spring Huts are only a few miles from a trailhead, so you’ll be sure to see plenty of other families in the bunkroom. With mattresses and blankets on site, and the friendly hut “Croo” cooking dinner, these trips remove the most dreaded logistics of an outing with little ones.

Overnight Adventure Option 1: Highland Center to Zealand Falls Hut

Total Distance: 2.8 miles one-way (out and back)
Elevation Gain: 600 ft
Difficulty: Moderate. Expect to be active 4+ hours per day.

From its treehouse-style architecture to the namesake waterfall next door, Zealand Falls Hut looks like something out of a storybook. No wonder kids have loved coming here for almost a century. Whether you’re introducing your children to a place full of nostalgia, or this is a first-time adventure for you, too, your family will not be disappointed.

From the Highland Center, drive or take the AMC White Mountain Hiker Shuttle to the Zealand Trailhead. The trailhead is located at the terminus of Zealand Road, off NH Route 302. Directions from there are easy: Just stay on the Zealand Trail for 2.8 miles, until you reach the hut. The terrain is mostly flat, except for a short incline just before the hut.

There’s plenty of ways kids can explore once you arrive! Take a dip in Zealand Falls or relax on the rocks and just enjoy the views. Join the hut naturalist for an engaging educational program. Each hut has a dedicated naturalist to lead a rotating list of educational programs and aid AMC conservation research.

After a night at the hut, it’s time to head back home or to the Highland Center. After breakfast, which includes a costume-filled skit from the Croo, simply retrace your steps back down Zealand Trail.

Overnight Adventure Option 2: Highland Center to Mizpah Spring Hut

Total Distance: 2.7 miles one-way (out and back)
Elevation Gain: 2,000 ft
Difficulty: Moderate. Expect to be active 4+ hours per day.

Located on the southern edge of the Presidential Range, Mizpah Spring Hut is an achievable feat that offers kids a taste of the more ambitious hikes they can attempt when they’re older.

From the Highland Center, carefully cross NH Route 302 and head up the Crawford Path past several small waterfalls. First cut in 1819, the Crawford Path is considered the oldest continuously used and maintained hiking trail in the U.S. After 1.9 miles, turn right onto the Mizpah Connector and continue to the hut.

Mizpah Spring Hut is a great spot for families with its extensive library room, including plenty of games. Thanks to its location, the hut is also a wonderful place for bird watching and bird songs. The hut naturalist can help your kids identify birds.

The next day, following breakfast and a skit, head back the way you came. Be sure to let your kids know how proud you are of them for their accomplishment!

Ready to take the leap and go on a family lodge-to-hut trip, but worried about the logistics? Going on a professionally guided, family-friendly trip with AMC is a great way to take out some of the guesswork and introduce your kids to the outdoors in a fun, group setting. Plan your trip today!

The AMC Highland Center

The AMC Highland Center is your destination for family adventure in the White Mountains. Located in Crawford Notch, one of the most popular areas for visitors to the White Mountains, the Highland Center sits on a network of trails that includes many family-friendly options. Hike to the summit of Mount Willard (1.5-miles one way), arguably the best view for the least effort in all the Whites. Arethusa Falls, meanwhile, is just a short drive away.

Back at the lodge, you’ll find a children’s playscape, private rooms for your family, and buffet-style breakfast and dinner included with your reservation. Plus, guests have free access to the L.L. Bean Gear Room, which offers boots, backpacks, outerwear, snowshoes, and more in child and adult sizes.