Mount Moosilauke stands at 4,802 feet on the southwestern edge of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, making it the westernmost of the state’s 48 four-thousand-footers. Its broad, treeless summit — the name derives from the Abenaki language, most commonly translated as “bald place” — offers some of the finest 360-degree views in the region, from the Franconia Ridge and Presidential Range to the east to Vermont’s Green Mountains to the west. The mountain is laced with trails maintained by the Dartmouth Outing Club and sits along the Appalachian Trail, making it a natural destination for a camping and hiking trip. Here is what you need to know to plan an overnight visit.
Where to Camp Near Mount Moosilauke
Beaver Brook Shelter
The Beaver Brook Shelter is the most direct overnight option on the mountain itself. Located about 1.5 miles up the Beaver Brook Trail (which is also the Appalachian Trail), the shelter sits just past the steepest section of the trail, near the top of the Beaver Brook Cascades. It accommodates approximately eight people and has a privy. As an Appalachian Trail shelter, it operates on a first-come, first-served basis — no reservations. This is a good base if you want to break a longer traverse or avoid the full summit push in a single day. Expect company during thru-hiker season (typically June through September).
Moosilauke Ravine Lodge
The Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, owned and operated by Dartmouth College’s Outing Club, sits in the valley on the southeast side of the mountain at the end of Ravine Lodge Road. The lodge provides bunkhouse-style accommodations and family-style meals. It is open to the public — you do not need to be affiliated with Dartmouth to stay — but operates on a seasonal schedule and requires reservations. Check the Dartmouth Outing Club website for current dates, availability, and rates before planning your trip. The lodge provides direct access to the Gorge Brook Trail and the Asquam Ridge Trail, making it a convenient base for summit hikes.
White Mountain National Forest Campgrounds
There is no developed campground at the Moosilauke trailheads themselves, but several White Mountain National Forest campgrounds are within a short drive. Hancock Campground, located on the western end of the Kancamagus Highway near Lincoln, is the closest option with drive-in sites along the Pemigewasset River. It is open year-round and costs approximately $25 per night (verify current rates before visiting). Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis outside of peak reservation season. Lincoln and Woodstock, both within 15–20 minutes of the Ravine Lodge and Beaver Brook trailheads, also offer private campgrounds and motels for those who prefer more amenities.
Backcountry Camping
Backcountry camping in the White Mountain National Forest is permitted with some important restrictions. You must camp at least 200 feet from any trail, water source, or road, and at least a quarter mile from any established campground, shelter, or trailhead. Fires are not permitted above treeline or in the alpine zone. Note that much of Moosilauke’s southern and eastern slopes are owned by Dartmouth College, where backcountry camping is not allowed. Stick to National Forest land if you plan to dispersed camp, and be aware of any seasonal closures or fragile-area restrictions posted at trailheads.
Hiking Trails to the Summit
Mount Moosilauke has an extensive trail network with routes from all directions, allowing hikers to match their camping location to their preferred trail.
Gorge Brook Trail
The most popular route, starting from the Ravine Lodge trailhead. The trail is approximately 3.7 miles to the summit with about 2,400 feet of elevation gain. It follows Gorge Brook for the first 1.5 miles before climbing through forest and eventually breaking into the alpine zone with switchbacks leading to the open summit. This is the best choice for a straightforward day hike or as part of a loop combining the Carriage Road and Snapper Trail on the descent.
Beaver Brook Trail
The steepest and most dramatic route, following the Appalachian Trail from Kinsman Notch on NH Route 112. The trail covers 3.8 miles to the summit with roughly 3,050 feet of total elevation gain. The first 1.5 miles climb extremely steeply alongside the Beaver Brook Cascades, with wooden stairs and iron rungs on the most exposed sections. Mist from the cascades keeps the rock wet, making this route significantly more challenging in rain or when icy. The trail passes the Beaver Brook Shelter at the 1.5-mile mark, then continues past Mount Blue (4,529 feet, a sub-peak) before joining the Benton Trail for the final push through the alpine zone. This trail demands caution on the descent — tired legs and steep, slippery rock are a serious combination.
Glencliff Trail
This Appalachian Trail route ascends the southwestern face of Moosilauke from the Glencliff trailhead off High Street (also called Sanatorium Road) in Benton. The trail is approximately 3.0 miles to the junction with the Carriage Road near South Peak, with another 0.9 miles from there to the summit — roughly 3.9 miles and 3,300 feet of elevation gain total. The lower section passes through fields and mixed forest before steepening considerably as it nears the ridge. A short spur trail near the top leads to South Peak (4,523 feet), which is worth the detour for its views back toward the main summit and into Tunnel Brook Ravine. Thru-hikers heading north toward Maine or south toward Georgia’s Springer Mountain are commonly encountered on this route.
Moosilauke Carriage Road
The longest and most gradual route, originally built in the 1800s to carry guests to a summit hotel (the Prospect House, later known as the Tip Top House — no longer standing). The Carriage Road starts from a small parking area on Breezy Point Road and covers approximately 4.8 miles to the summit with about 3,000 feet of elevation gain. The trail’s width and moderate grade make it the most forgiving descent route and a popular choice for backcountry skiing in winter. Views open up toward Vermont’s Green Mountains, including Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield, as you near the top.
Less-Traveled Options
The Asquam Ridge Trail (also called the Ridge Trail) offers a longer approach from the Ravine Lodge trailhead, covering about 5.8 miles to the summit via Mount Jim (4,172 feet), another of Moosilauke’s sub-peaks on the Trailwrights 72 list. The Benton Trail, at 3.6 miles, follows an old bridle path up the northern side of the mountain with good views of the Kinsman Range before joining the Beaver Brook Trail near treeline. The Snapper Trail (1.1 miles) connects the Gorge Brook Trail and Carriage Road, enabling the popular Moosilauke loop hike from the Ravine Lodge.
Getting There
The Ravine Lodge and Carriage Road trailheads are both accessed from NH Route 118, while the Beaver Brook trailhead is on NH Route 112 at Kinsman Notch. All three are within 15–20 minutes of Lincoln and Woodstock off I-93 (Exit 32). Ravine Lodge Road is gated in winter, which adds 1.5 miles of road walking (or skiing) to any trip starting from that trailhead during the cold months.
The Glencliff trailhead is more remote. From NH Route 25 — which runs roughly east-west on the western side of Moosilauke — turn onto High Street (Sanatorium Road). The trailhead parking area is about a mile up the road, marked by a White Mountain National Forest sign. A parking pass is required at some trailheads within the National Forest; check current requirements at the USFS website before your trip.
What to Bring
Moosilauke’s summit is famously exposed to wind. Because the mountain sits alone at the western edge of the Whites, it catches weather with little shelter. Even in midsummer, temperatures on the summit can be 20–30 degrees colder than at the trailhead, and high winds are common. Bring a wind-resistant layer, warm insulation (a puffy jacket is rarely wasted), and gloves regardless of the season. In winter, full alpine gear including crampons, an ice axe, and face protection is essential for the above-treeline section.
For camping, standard backpacking provisions apply: bring enough water or a filter (the mountain has several brook crossings), a stove for cooking, and layers for sleeping. If you plan to use the Beaver Brook Shelter, bring a sleeping bag and pad — it is a basic three-sided shelter with no amenities beyond the privy. A good topographic map of the White Mountains is worth carrying, as several trails intersect on the upper mountain and conditions in New Hampshire’s mountains can change rapidly.
Planning Tips
The most popular camping-and-hiking combination is to stay at the Ravine Lodge or Hancock Campground and hike the Gorge Brook Trail–Carriage Road–Snapper Trail loop, which covers about 7.9 miles with roughly 2,450 feet of elevation gain. This loop lets you ascend the most direct route and descend the most gradual one, with a stop at South Peak along the way. For a more ambitious trip, the Beaver Brook Trail can be combined with an overnight at the Beaver Brook Shelter, though the steep terrain makes this better suited to experienced hikers.
Backcountry skiing is another popular reason to camp near Moosilauke. The Carriage Road’s wide, moderate grade and the open summit slopes make it one of the classic ski descents in the White Mountains. After a major winter storm, the combination of skinning up the Carriage Road and skiing down is a memorable experience — just be prepared for full winter alpine conditions above treeline.
Peak foliage season (late September through mid-October) and summer weekends draw the most visitors. Parking at the Ravine Lodge can fill early on busy days, so an early start is advisable. The shoulder seasons — late spring and late fall — offer quieter trails but require more preparation for variable conditions. Whatever time of year you visit, Moosilauke rewards the effort with one of the most impressive summit panoramas in New England.
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