Lakes of the Clouds Hut

For New Hampshire's dedicated hikers, the **Lakes of the Clouds Hut** is more than just a place to sleep—it is an iconic symbol of the state's rugged beauty and a necessary haven in the challenging alpine zone. As the highest and largest of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) renowned high-mountain huts, it sits at a staggering elevation of over 5,000 feet, nestled in the col between Mount Washington and Mount Monroe. This unique position places it literally in the clouds, making for an unforgettable experience that few traditional campgrounds can rival.

Operating only during the summer Full-Service Season (typically early June to mid-September), a stay here allows you to conquer New England’s highest peaks, like Mount Washington, without the need to carry a heavy backpack loaded with tent, sleeping pad, and cooking gear. The Hut provides a comfortable bunk, fresh water, and hearty, family-style meals, serving as a welcome oasis after a strenuous day of hiking above the treeline. The reviews are consistently enthusiastic, capturing the feeling that "Life is great in the mountain air" when you're perched so high above the world.

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Introduction / Overview

The Lakes of the Clouds Hut is not a typical New Hampshire campground but a high-altitude, full-service lodge designed specifically to support long-distance and challenging hiking in the Presidential Range. It holds the distinction of being the most popular, highest, and largest hut in the AMC system, capable of accommodating over 90 guests nightly in shared, co-ed bunkrooms. Its initial construction was driven by necessity—built after two AMC leaders perished in a storm near Mount Washington in 1900—highlighting its vital role as a safety and information center on the exposed ridge.

Due to its immense popularity and demanding location, reservations are an absolute necessity, often booked out well in advance. The hut's main building features a large common room where hikers gather to eat, play games, and receive evening educational programs from the energetic Hut "Croo" staff. Its location above the treeline, where tent camping is prohibited to protect the fragile alpine ecology, makes staying at the Hut the best, and often only, legal option for overnighting on the high ridges of the White Mountains. The lack of heat and electricity adds to the rustic, authentic high-mountain experience.

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Location and Accessibility

Lakes of the Clouds Hut is located in a stunning, yet unforgiving, environment high in the Presidential Range of the White Mountain National Forest.

The physical location is listed as:

Dry River Trail, Jackson, NH 03846, USA (The nearest town reference)

Access is strictly by foot, and hikers must be prepared for extreme and rapidly changing weather conditions at this elevation of approximately 5,012 feet. It is not open year-round; the full-service season is limited to the summer and early fall months.

Common access routes include:

• **Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail:** The shortest and most direct route from the west, approximately 3.1 miles with a 2,500-foot elevation gain, starting near the Cog Railroad Base Road. This trail features steep sections above Gem Pool.
• **Tuckerman Ravine Trail:** A highly scenic but more strenuous route from Pinkham Notch, approximately 4.6 miles, involving a difficult ascent of the headwall.
• **Crawford Path:** A longer, historic route from the south along the Presidential Ridge.

The Hut is located right on the Appalachian Trail (AT) and the historic Crawford Path, making it a critical stop for thru-hikers and those attempting the multi-day Presidential Traverse. Parking depends on the chosen trailhead, but the AMC Hiker Shuttle runs during the summer season to help with car spotting.

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Services Offered

During its brief but busy summer Full-Service Season, Lakes of the Clouds Hut provides comprehensive services to minimize the gear weight required for a high-altitude overnight stay.

• **Catered Meals:** A hearty, family-style dinner is served promptly at 6:00 PM and a substantial breakfast at 7:00 AM. These meals are included with the overnight stay and feature freshly baked goods, soup, an entrée, and dessert.
• **Overnight Bunks:** Co-ed bunkrooms provide individual sleeping bunks with mattresses, pillows, and wool blankets. A lighter sleeping bag or liner is often recommended for personal comfort and hygiene.
• **Potable Water:** Fresh, cold-running water is available for drinking and light washing. This is a critical service in the dry alpine zone.
• **Sanitation:** Composting toilets and sinks with cold running water are provided. Showers are not available.
• **Retail & Resupply:** The main hut offers snacks, hot drinks, merchandise, and limited essential gear for purchase from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (cash is highly encouraged).
• **Educational Programs:** The Croo provides informative skits, weather updates, and natural history talks in the evening.
• **Emergency Shelter:** Outside of the main season, an unheated, emergency refuge room ("The Dungeon") is left open in the cellar for life-saving use only.

It is important to note that the Hut adheres to a strict "carry in/carry out" policy for all trash and recyclables, preserving the fragile alpine environment.

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Features / Highlights

The greatest feature of Lakes of the Clouds Hut is its unparalleled location, which offers access to some of New Hampshire's most spectacular natural wonders.

• **Proximity to Mount Washington:** The summit of the Northeast's highest peak (6,288 feet) is only a scenic 1.5-mile hike away via the Crawford Path, making it an ideal base for an early morning summit bid before the crowds arrive.
• **The Lakes of the Clouds:** The Hut takes its name from the two small alpine tarns (lakes) adjacent to the building. This high-mountain water source is a beautiful and serene focal point of the immediate area.
• **Presidential Ridge Views:** The Hut sits directly on the main ridge, offering 360-degree views that, on a clear day, extend across the entire Presidential Range and beyond. The sunsets and sunrises from this vantage point are truly legendary.
• **Alpine Zone Experience:** This is the highest lodging available, giving hikers a rare opportunity to spend the night in the rare and delicate alpine tundra, learning about its unique ecology through the Hut's naturalist programs.
• **Hub for the Presidential Traverse:** The Hut is a key overnight point for those undertaking the strenuous, multi-peak Presidential Traverse hike, providing essential rest and nourishment halfway through the journey.

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Contact Information

All reservations, trail advice, and official information are coordinated through the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) centralized service.

Address: Dry River Trail, Jackson, NH 03846, USA (Located on the ridge between Mount Washington and Mount Monroe)

Reservations Phone: (603) 466-2727 (AMC Contact Service Center, Mon–Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m.)

Trails Information Phone: (603) 466-2721 (For current weather and trail conditions)

Reservations are essential, especially for weekend stays during the summer season, as the Hut is often fully booked.

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What is Worth Choosing

Lakes of the Clouds Hut is absolutely worth choosing for any New Hampshire resident who seeks the ultimate White Mountains experience. The convenience of a prepared dinner and breakfast saves significant weight in your pack, enabling you to focus entirely on the challenging, high-altitude hiking of the Presidential Range. Choosing to stay here means choosing a night above the clouds, a chance to witness world-class sunrises and sunsets from over 5,000 feet, and guaranteed proximity to the summit of Mount Washington.

While it is the largest and most popular hut—sometimes earning the nickname "Lakes of the Crowds"—the electric atmosphere of shared adventure, the hearty meals, and the unparalleled panoramic views make it a destination that every serious New Hampshire hiker must experience at least once. It’s an investment in a lightweight, high-reward backcountry journey into the heart of New England's most magnificent mountains.

Lakes of the Clouds Hut

Dry River Trail, Jackson, NH 03846, USA