GENTIAN POND SHELTER
Open year-round, first-come first-served. No reservations or fees. Group size limited to 10 people. Camping prohibited within 1/4 mile of the shelter. Bear canisters required for food storage.
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…
Lincoln Woods Trail Closure
UPDATE: Lincoln Woods Trail will close beginning June 15th through November 2026 when when restoration work commences. See the Lincoln Woods Trailhead page for more information.
Pemigewasset Wilderness Food Storage Requirement
Effective May 1st, 2026, all overnight campers in the Pemigewasset Wilderness must store all food, food containers, scented items (such as soap, lip balm, and toothpaste) and refuse in a cylindrical, hard-sided, non-pliable Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) certified bear resistant…
About
Gentian Pond Shelter offers backcountry camping in one of the more remote sections of the White Mountain National Forest. The three-sided wooden lean-to with adjacent tent platforms provides basic overnight accommodation for hikers traversing the Appalachian Trail through the rugged Mahoosuc Range. The shelter is located near scenic Gentian Pond, offering access to both day hiking and extended backpacking opportunities. Reaching the shelter requires a 3.5-mile hike from North Road, starting near the intersection of the Austin Brook and Mahoosuc Trails. The terrain is typical of the Mahoosucs: challenging and rocky. This is a primitive site with no developed amenities. There is no potable water, no restrooms, and no established fire rings or picnic tables. Campers must bring all water, food (in a bear-proof canister as required by WMNF regulations), and pack out all trash. The shelter operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations or fees. Group size is limited to 10 people per WMNF backcountry regulations. Camping is prohibited within 1/4 mile of the shelter, so overflow campers must disperse farther into the backcountry.
Directions
From North Road in Shelburne, NH, hike approximately 3.5 miles north via the Austin Brook Trail to its intersection with the Mahoosuc Trail. The shelter is located at this junction along the Appalachian Trail.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (603) 536-6100 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| USFS Gentian Pond Shelter | |
| WMNF Camping & Cabins |
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