The Long Trail is a 273 (approximately because it’s always changing) mile-long trail stretching from Massachusetts to the Canadian border in Vermont. Scared throughout the trail across the Green Mountains are places to rest your head after a long day of hiking, Long Trail Shelters. With 70+ shelters along the Long Trail (all maintained by the Green Mountain Club), there are plenty to choose from. Since I completed my hike of the Long Trail I compiled this list of the top shelters on the Long Trail to help you choose the best places to spend your evenings. Here they are!
Top 10 Shelters on the Long Trail
Kid Gore Shelter
The Kid Core shelter itself is not something particularly special. It is only a three-sided lean-to, with bunk space for 8. What you want to stay here for is the view!
If you wake up early enough you’ll be privileged to a spectacular sunrise peeking over the mountains to the east. Even at night the view is gorgeous and there’s even a spot to build a campfire.
Although the privy is a hill, The easy access to water in the picnic table out front make this a great spot to spend the night.
Read More: 30 Practical Tips for Hiking the Long Trail
Stratton Pond Shelter
After coming off Stratton Mountain and seeing the views from the Stratton Mountain fire tower you’ll be rewarded again with this amazing shelter. This post and beam shelter is the only one of its kind on the Long Trail with bunk space for 20 and 2 picnic tables under a front porch.
The privy is close but not too close, and unfortunately, while there is a spot to build a fire nearby fires are prohibited in this area.
One of my favorite things about the shelter is how close it is to Stratton Pond. Located just .1 miles from the spur to the shelter you can head over there and enjoy a cool breeze or hope to catch a glimpse of a moose.
Please note there is a small fee to use this shelter. It can be paid to the on-site caretaker.
Spruce Peak Shelter
Spruce Peak shelter is the first shelter I ever stayed at along the Long Trail when I move to Vermont. To my knowledge, it is the only Long Trail shelter with a small wood stove inside. There used to be many other Long Trail Shelters with wood stoves, but they’ve either been removed or the shelter has burned down. This makes it perfect for winter camping.
Located not far from route 11/30 crossing this shelter is a fully enclosed log structure with a sliding door, bunk space for 16, and a table inside.
For a great sunset take the short .4 mile walk north to the Spruce Peak overlook. You get views of the sun going down behind Mount Equinox with the town of Manchester below.
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Clarendon Shelter
Clarendon is on this list for one thing and one thing alone – Trail Magic!
For those of you who don’t know trail magic is little things, people do along long-distance hiking trails for hikers. In the case of Clarendon Shelter, it consists of a cooler regularly filled with beer and other cold drinks and they’ll take any trash you have in hand. A lovely man in an ATV brings everything in and out.
Please know that if you’re not an LT thru or section hiker please don’t take the trail magic. It’s a HUGE bummer when people do that.
Just because I feel I have to give you info on the shelter itself it’s a four-sided frame building with bunk space for 12. The water source is super close to the cabin too which is pretty nice.
Read More: 60 Things to do [During Every Season] in Vermont
Glen Ellen Lodge
Heading further north is Glen Ellen Lodge. Located just north of mount Ellen, Glen Ellen Lodge is worth the .3 mile downhill hike to get to it.
This log construction cabin with bunks for eight and a table inside, is close to it’s water source has amazing views to the east for spectacular sunrises.
The night I spent there while hiking the Long Trail was a bit rainy. As a result, when the sun came out we saw a double rainbow. Of all the shelters on the Long Trail this one is my personal favorite!
Montclair Glen Lodge
Montclair Glen Lodge is the perfect place to spend the night for summiting Camels Hump. Its a log cabin with bunk space for 10 people and an indoor picnic table. It is the spot of a recent bear issue on the Long Trail. As a result the door has been reinforced and bear boxes have been provided for use.
Do not let this deter you from stopping at this great shelter with a great place to clean up, wash some clothes in the stream and dry them on the big rock out front of the lodge.kool
Puffer Shelter
Well, I’m sad that I didn’t spend the night at Puffer I did get a stop for lunch and enjoy the view. The shelter itself is only a three-sided lean-to with space for 6.
What makes the shelter stand out is the amazing view of Mount Mansfield. While hiking the Long Trail everyone said that this was one of their favorite shelters to stay at because of the sunsets. Sad I missed it, guess I’ll just have to go back!
Taft Lodge
If you’re headed northbound Taft Lodge is my recommendation of where to stay after a long day summiting Mount Mansfield. And if you’re going southbound stay there the night before.
Located just below the chin, Taft is the largest lodge or shelter on the Long Trail with bunk space for 24, benches and tables inside, and a nice deck.
While fires are not a lot of this lodge It doesn’t really matter because of you north off of Mount Mansfield is absolutely spectacular! You will not regret staying at the lodge.
A small fee is charged when staying at this site and can be paid to the on site care taker.
Corliss Camp
Corliss Camp is the most adorable frame cabin on the entire Long Trail. Located just before the ascent of Butternut mountain Corliss Camp is a four-sided cabin with space for 14 both inside and in the upper loft.
There is a piped water source close to the cabin and plenty of great trees to hang your bear bag. I know that sounds silly, but we had a tough time at some shelters.
Spruce Ledge Camp
I’m actually sitting in the bunk at Spruce Ledge Camp writing this blog post. Almost every person we spoke with on the trail told us to either stop or stay at this site.
While I liked Corliss Camp more this four-sided frame cabin with sliding door and space for 8 isn’t the main attraction here.
Just past the cabin and accompanying small pavilion with a picnic table underneath is Devil’s Perch overlook. From here you can see Ritterbush Pond and Belvedere Mountain.
Long Trail Shelters Map
The Green Mountain Club has a great waterproof Vermont Long Trail map with shelters. This Long Trail Map shows the topography of the trail, the location of all the shelters on the Long Trail, distances, and parking areas.