Trapper John Shelter
Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations accepted. No fee required.
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
Trapper John Shelter is a classic Appalachian Trail lean-to located in the White Mountain National Forest near Lyme, New Hampshire. Built and maintained by the Dartmouth Outing Club, this three-walled wooden shelter can accommodate up to 8 hikers on a first-come, first-served basis. The shelter sits along the AT corridor, accessed via a 1.1-mile hike from Dorchester Road on the Holts Ledge Trail and a short spur trail. Facilities are minimal but functional for backcountry camping. A moldering privy provides sanitation, and a fire ring is available for campfires. A stream serves as the water source, though hikers must boil, filter, or chemically treat all water before consumption. There are no fees to stay at the shelter. As with all AT shelters in this section, Trapper John operates on a thru-hiker-friendly ethic where long-distance hikers traditionally have priority, though the shelter is open to all. Campers should pack out all trash and practice Leave No Trace principles. Bear-proof food storage (canister or proper hang) is recommended throughout the White Mountain backcountry.
Directions
From Dorchester Road in Lyme, NH, hike 1.1 miles via the Holts Ledge Trail (Appalachian Trail) and follow the spur trail to the shelter.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| 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 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| USFS Trapper John Shelter |
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