Three Ponds Shelter

About

Three Ponds Shelter is a rustic three-sided Adirondack-style shelter located in the Pemigewasset Ranger District of White Mountain National Forest near Rumney, New Hampshire. The shelter sits beside the scenic middle pond of the three trailside ponds, offering a classic White Mountains backcountry camping experience. With a capacity of 8 people and a fire ring for warmth and cooking, it provides basic overnight accommodation for hikers exploring this area. The shelter is reached via an easy 2.3-mile hike from the Three Ponds Trailhead, located on Stinson Lake Road just north of Stinson Lake. The trail doubles as a snowmobile route in winter, but is also open to skiers, snowshoers, and winter hikers. From the shelter, hikers can continue on an easy-to-moderate 5.3-mile loop back to the trailhead via the Donkey Hill Cut-off and Kineo Trail. This is a primitive backcountry site with no restroom facilities, no potable water, and no designated tent sites. Visitors must filter or treat water from nearby sources and pack out all trash. The shelter operates year-round, 24 hours daily, on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees or reservations.

Directions

Take Stinson Lake Road north from the Village of Rumney. The Three Ponds Trailhead is located on Stinson Lake Road just north of Stinson Lake. From the trailhead, hike 2.3 miles on the Three Ponds Trail to reach the shelter.