GENTIAN POND SHELTER

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.