Velvet Rocks Shelter

Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations or fees required.

About

Velvet Rocks Shelter is a backcountry Appalachian Trail shelter located within the White Mountain National Forest, approximately 1.2 miles from downtown Hanover via the Velvet Rocks Trail. The shelter serves as a waypoint for AT thru-hikers and section hikers traversing New Hampshire. Access begins behind the athletic fields near the Hanover Food Co-op, with the trail climbing through hemlock forest with switchbacks before reaching the shelter via a blue-blazed side loop. The shelter offers basic amenities including a pit privy located nearby. Water is available along the loop trail but is unreliable during dry months and must be treated before consumption. The site operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations or fees required. This primitive shelter provides essential protection for hikers on the northern New Hampshire section of the Appalachian Trail. The Velvet Rocks area features steep terrain and rocky outcrops that give the location its name. Winter access is possible year-round, though hikers should be prepared for challenging conditions including snow and ice on the steep approach trail during colder months.

Directions

From downtown Hanover, the Appalachian Trail heads southeast from NH Route 120 near Chase Field House. Access the Velvet Rocks Trail behind the athletic fields next to the Hanover Food Co-op. Follow the AT uphill through hemlock forest with switchbacks. At 0.8 miles, take the blue-blazed side loop trail (left fork) for 0.2 miles to reach Velvet Rocks Shelter.

Nearby Campgrounds