Rattle River Shelter
Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations accepted. No potable water available; campers must filter or treat water from nearby sources. Fires prohibited.
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
Rattle River Shelter is a backcountry shelter situated along the Appalachian Trail corridor in the White Mountain National Forest. The shelter is reached by hiking 1.7 miles up the gradual grade of the Rattle River Trail, starting from a large gravel trailhead parking lot on Route 2, about 3.5 miles east of Gorham, NH. In addition to the shelter structure, three designated tent sites provide overflow camping capacity. A composting toilet serves the area, but there is no potable water on site. Campers must filter or treat water from nearby streams. Per White Mountain National Forest regulations, fires are prohibited within a quarter mile of backcountry shelters. The shelter operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system. It is a popular basecamp for backpackers looking to access the Carter-Moriah Range and the 4,000-foot peaks via the Kenduskeag Trail.
Directions
From Gorham, NH, drive east on US Route 2 for 3.5 miles to the Rattle River Trailhead, a large gravel parking lot where the Appalachian Trail crosses the highway. Hike 1.7 miles south on the Rattle River Trail to reach the shelter.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | No |
| 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 |
Community Posts
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