Emily Proctor Shelter

Open — The shelter is open year-round, first-come, first-served with no fees. However, access roads (Forest Roads 59, 54, and 201) are closed from December 15 to May 1, making the trailhead inaccessible by vehicle during winter and early spring.

About

Emily Proctor Shelter sits at the junction of the Emily Proctor Trail and the Long Trail in the heart of the Breadloaf Wilderness within Green Mountain National Forest. The shelter, an Adirondack-style open-front structure, was built in 1960 and rebuilt in 1983 and 2002. It honors Emily Proctor, an early benefactor of the Green Mountain Club who donated funds for shelter construction in 1914. The shelter accommodates 6-8 people and is accessed via the Emily Proctor Trail, a 3.7-mile hike that begins on an old woods road along the New Haven River before making a steep and rocky ascent through high-elevation forest to the shelter clearing. Limited tent space is available at the site. A composting toilet is located near the shelter, and water can be filtered or treated from nearby sources. The shelter serves as a base for exploring surrounding peaks including Mount Wilson and Breadloaf Mountain. Access to the trailhead requires driving Forest Roads 59, 54, and 201. These roads are closed seasonally from December 15 to May 1, making the shelter inaccessible by vehicle during winter and early spring. The shelter itself remains open year-round for those able to access it, operating on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees or reservations.

Directions

From Middlebury, travel south on Route 7 to Route 125. Travel east on Route 125 for 6.6 miles and turn left onto Forest Road 59. Travel 4.7 miles to Forest Road 54 and turn right. Travel 4.1 miles and turn right onto Forest Road 201, which dead-ends at the trailhead parking in 0.4 miles. Note: Forest roads are seasonally closed December 15 to May 1. From the trailhead, hike 3.7 miles on the Emily Proctor Trail to reach the shelter.

Nearby Campgrounds