Rattle River Shelter
Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations or fees. Winter access depends on trailhead parking conditions, as the lot is only occasionally plowed.
Wind Advisory issued December 30 at 12:33AM EST until December 30 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Gray ME
* WHAT...West winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * WHERE...Portions of southwest, west central, and western Maine and central, northern, and southern New Hampshire. * WHEN...Until 7 PM EST this evening. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Expect the power outage threat to continue through the rest of tonight into Tuesday morning in areas that have significant ice remaining on trees. Power outage threat will remain elevated in these areas as cold air and the gusty winds cause ice loaded branches to snap.
About
Rattle River Shelter sits in the White Mountain National Forest, 1.7 miles from the trailhead along the gradual Rattle River Trail. This backcountry site features a traditional USFS three-sided shelter that accommodates several campers, plus three designated tent platforms for additional capacity. The location serves as a convenient base camp for hikers exploring the Carter-Moriah Range and accessing trails to nearby 4,000-foot peaks. The shelter operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees or reservations required. Water is available from nearby natural sources but must be treated or filtered before consumption. A composting toilet provides basic sanitation. Campers should be prepared for backcountry conditions and follow Leave No Trace principles, including restrictions against camping within 200 feet of trails and water sources except at designated sites.
Directions
From Route 2 in Shelburne, park at the Rattle River Trailhead. Hike 1.7 miles south on the Rattle River Trail to reach the shelter.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| 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
| Rattle River Shelter | |
| View on Recreation.gov |
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