Kinsman Pond Shelter

Open — Open year-round. Fee is $15 per person per night and is collected year-round via self-service cash boxes when seasonal caretaker is not present.

About

Kinsman Pond Shelter is a popular backcountry camping destination situated on the northern shore of Kinsman Pond at an elevation of 3,750 feet in the White Mountain National Forest. Located at the junction of the Kinsman Pond Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, and Fishin' Jiminy Trail (which carries the Appalachian Trail), this site serves as a strategic stopover for through-hikers and backpackers exploring the Kinsman Range. The site accommodates up to 12 people in the main Adirondack-style shelter, with additional capacity on one group tent platform and three single tent platforms. Amenities include a composting outhouse, a designated dishwashing area, and metal bear boxes for secure food storage. Water must be treated or filtered from nearby sources. A seasonal caretaker is present during peak months to maintain the site and collect fees, though the shelter remains accessible year-round with self-service payment when the caretaker is not present. Access requires a backcountry hike from Highway 112 west of Woodstock. The shelter's high elevation location provides a remote wilderness experience in the heart of the White Mountains, making it a favorite among experienced backpackers tackling the Kinsman peaks or traversing the Appalachian Trail through New Hampshire.

Directions

Located off Highway 112 west of Woodstock, NH. Access requires backcountry hiking from trailheads along NH Route 112 in Kinsman Notch. The shelter is reached via Kinsman Pond Trail, accessible from the Appalachian Trail and connecting trails.

Nearby Campgrounds