Ethan Pond Shelter
Open year-round, first-come first-served with no advance reservations. Caretaker season runs Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Fee is $15 per person per night, payable in cash. Groups of 6 or more should use the AMC Group Notification System at least two weeks in advance.
Discovery Trail Emergency Closure
This Order closes the Forest Discover Trail for public health and safety while the trail is repaired. You are prohibited from being on any part of the 1.5 mile Forest Discovery Trail. See Exhibit A - Map below for the location of the trail.
Rattlesnake Fire – Pemigewasset Ranger District
Rattlesnake Fire Final Update: Crews continue fire line rehab in the area. Buffalo Pit and Rattlesnake parking areas, along with Rattlesnake Trail off Buffalo Road, will be reopened by end today (Aug 26).
Town Hall Road Camping and Fire Restrictions
Camping and campfires are restricted along Slippery Brook Road (Forest Road 17) and East Branch Road (Forest Road 38), which together form a 7‑mile road system collectively known as Town Hall Road. Camping within ¼ mile of these roads is only allowed at designated campsites marked with a tent…
About
Ethan Pond Shelter is a classic backcountry destination on the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire's White Mountains. The site occupies a scenic location at the eastern shore of Ethan Pond, positioned at the edge of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The communal Adirondack-style shelter accommodates up to 8 people, while five tent platforms offer additional capacity for up to 20 campers total: three smaller shared platforms (2 tents each) and two larger group platforms (3-5 tents each). Facilities include a composting outhouse, a designated dishwashing area, and metal bear boxes for food storage. There is no potable water on site; campers must filter or treat water from Ethan Pond or the inlet brook. An AMC caretaker staffs the site during summer months (Memorial Day through Columbus Day) to collect fees and maintain facilities. Outside caretaker season, fees are collected via self-service cash boxes. Access is via a short side trail off the Ethan Pond Trail, which follows the Appalachian Trail corridor. The hike from the Ethan Pond-Ripley Falls Trailhead off Route 302 is approximately 2.6 miles with a gradual climb. Dogs are welcome on tent platforms when leashed or under voice command but are not permitted in the shelter itself.
Directions
From Route 302 near Bartlett, NH, access the Ethan Pond-Ripley Falls Trailhead. Hike approximately 2.6 miles on the Ethan Pond Trail (Appalachian Trail) to reach the shelter via a short side trail.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $15 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!