Galehead Hut
Stay a night at Galehead Hut and experience soaring peaks, sublime waterfalls, and never-ending views. Have a seat on our front porch and take it all in.
Located between South Twin Mountain and Galehead Mountain, reach Galehead Hut by journeying 4.6 miles from the Gale River Trailhead along the strenuous Gale River Trail. Once you arrive, enjoy exceptional hiking opportunities on the dramatic peaks of the Pemigewasset Wilderness.
| Difficulty | Hut Elevation | Mileage/Trail | Elevation Gain | Hiking Time | Trailhead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strenuous | 3,780 ft | 4.6 miles/Gale River Trail | 2,250 ft | 3 – 5 hours | Gale River |
Want to hike hut-to-hut on the Pemigewasset Wilderness Check out our resources tab for suggested trip itineraries.
Overnight guests can stay in one of our four bunkrooms, which have a total capacity of 38 people. We strongly recommend you make reservations in advance. Each room:
- Has individual bunks with mattresses
- Is fully enclosed
- Three wool blankets and 1 pillow with a pillowcase are provided on every bunk during the full-service season, however, bringing an extra pillowcase and sleeping bag is still recommended
- Is unheated and has no electricity/overhead lighting, each bunk has a small reading light
- Is co-ed and may be shared by multiple people from different reservations
Guests must bring:
- An appropriately rated sleeping bag and pillow for your bunks
- A headlamp
- Appropriate clothing that will keep you warm during your stay
- Appropriate gear for a backcountry hike (see pack list tab for more information)
The hut dining room acts as a common space for overnight guests and day visitors. At the hut, guests can:
- Chat with an AMC hut croo member or caretaker
- Eat meals prepared and served by hut staff (for overnight guests)
- Refill on water and hot drinks
- Purchase snacks, merchandise and limited gear from 10am to 5pm (cash encouraged; no mobile payment apps accepted)
Want to go to a hut with a guided group? See what programs our Outdoor Guides are offering.
A portion of the proceeds from AMC Huts goes towards funding conservation projects across our region.
The stunning backcountry locations and unique “off-the-grid" facilities of the AMC hut system make them a one-of-a-kind experience that keeps guests coming back year after year.
Offerings by Season for All Guests
| Service Level | Bathrooms | Water Refills | Daytime Access to Main Hut Building | Purchase Snacks, Hot Drinks, Limited Gear | Purchase Soup and Bread for Lunch |
| Full | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Self | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
Asking a hut croo member/caretaker about trip planning advice, the latest weather report, or just to chat is always welcome.
Offerings by Season Just for Overnight Guests
| Service Level | Accommodations | Breakfast and Dinner Provided | Naturalist Programs |
| Full | Unheated Bunkhouse | Y | Y |
| Self | Unheated Bunkhouse | N | N |
Hut Etiquette & Additional Info
This is a carry in/carry out facility for all trash and recyclables so please pack out what you bring, including leftover food.
Quiet hours are from 9:30pm – 6:30am.
There is no Wi-Fi or electrical outlets (there are no places to charge your cell phone) and cell reception is limited.
Food at Galehead Hut
Full-Service Season
Dinner and breakfast are included with your stay during our full-service season from June to mid-October.
Please notify AMC Contact Service Center if you have food allergies or other dietary restrictions and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Dinner is served family-style at 6pm sharp and includes fresh bread, soup, salad, a hearty entrée, and dessert. Alcoholic beverages are BYOB and should be consumed responsibly.
Breakfast is served family-style at 7am sharp and includes eggs with pancakes or a baked good, plus oatmeal, and breakfast meat, such as bacon or sausage, with coffee, cocoa, or tea.
Lunch is not included for overnight guests. Soup and bread are available for purchase daily from 10am to 5pm.
Self-Service Season
Overnight guests are responsible for bringing their own food, preparing their own meals, and cleaning up after themselves.
Caretakers will assign groups to kitchen time where they will have full use of the hut’s stove, oven, cookware, dishes and silverware.
Naturalist Programs
During the full-service season only, each AMC hut offers daily programs about the natural and cultural history of the unique mountain environments our facilities call home. Kids who participate in our Junior Naturalist program during their stay will receive a patch of completion at breakfast the following morning.
At AMC, we believe that fostering an appreciation and understanding of the outdoors will lead more people to want to protect essential natural resources, like the White Mountains.
Staff on Site
All Huts staff live and work on-site, provide trip planning assistance and weather updates to guests and day visitors, and help support search and rescue missions across the White Mountain National Forest.
Our legendary hut croo manages Galehead Hut from June to mid-October. In addition to their responsibilities above, they:
- Pack-in fresh ingredients each week for dinner and breakfast menus
- Pack-out trash accumulated from meal prep
- Prepare breakfast, lunch/snacks, and dinner daily
- Perform informational skits
Self-Service Season
Caretakers manage Galehead Hut from early-May to late-May and:
- Are available daily from 4pm to 10pm and from 7am to 10am
Thru-Hikers
AMC Huts also offer special programs for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, including a Thru-Hiking Pass and limited work-for-stay opportunities.
Learn more about AMC’s cancellation policies for lodging and programs.
The Appalachian Mountain Club is an equal opportunity service provider. The AMC operates its system of backcountry huts in the White Mountain National Forest under special use permit from the US Forest Service.
All AMC Huts are in backcountry locations that are only accessible by foot. The most direct and easiest route to Galehead Hut is taking the Gale River Trail from the Gale River Trailhead parking area, located in Bethlehem, NH on Gale River Loop Road off NH Route 3 between Franconia Notch and Twin Mountain.
| Difficulty | Hut Elevation | Mileage/Trail | Elevation Gain | Hiking Time | Trailhead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strenuous | 3,780 ft | 4.6 miles/Gale River Trail | 2,250 ft | 3 – 5 hours | Gale River |
For more information about hiking trails in the White Mountains, check out the AMC White Mountain Guide.
The Gale River Trailhead parking area is a stop of the AMC Hiker Shuttle. The Hiker Shuttle runs daily for most of the full-service hut season, from early June to mid-September, and operates on weekends only from mid-September to mid-October. Reservations are strongly recommended.
For up-to-date information about weather, trail conditions, or advice on trip itineraries in the White Mountain National Forest, call our Trails Information Desk at 603-466-2721.
Summit a 4,000-footer
Hike to one of the many nearby 4,000-footer peaks, such as Mount Garfield, Galehead, South Twin, and North Twin and experience breathtaking views of the Pemigewasset Wilderness.
If you are looking for a remote, challenging trek, travel southeast to the majestic Bond mountains.
Cool Off in a Waterfall
Hike down to Thirteen Falls and take a dip in one of a series of swimming holes.
Take a Guided Adventure to a Hut
Join an AMC Outdoor Guide and hike hut-to-hut while honing your outdoor skills, learning natural history, and connecting with other outdoor enthusiasts.
Hut-to-Hut Suggested Trips
For those looking for a challenging adventure through the Pemigewasset Wilderness, hike from Galehead Hut to Zealand Falls Hut.
| Origin | Destination | Trail | Mileage | Hiking Time | Difficulty |
| Gale River Loop Road | Galehead Hut | Gale River Trail | 4.6 miles | 3 – 5 hours | Strenuous |
| Galehead Hut | Zealand Falls Hut | Twinway | 7 miles | 4.5 – 6 hours | Strenuous |
Want to help planning your Hut trip? Try calling our Trails Information Desk at 603-466-2721 for trail advice or our reservation staff at 603-466-2727?
Want to go with an AMC Outdoor Guide to Carter Notch Hut? Check out our Guided Adventures.
Interested in planning a larger group trip? Contact our Group Sales Department at [email protected].
Do you need a trip planning resource? Check out the AMC WhiteMountain Guide and map set.
Full-Service Season
Gear
- Backpack with waistbelt to carry extra layers, water and lunch, overnight gear
- Pack cover, trash bag or other pack liner
- Trekking Poles
- Two 1-liter water bottles or hydration system
- Sleeping bag rated 35 – 45 degrees, synthetic or down
- Travel pillow
- Headlamp/flashlight with extra batteries
- Hand towel, toiletries, personal medications
Outerwear
- Waterproof rain jacket with hood
- Waterproof rain pants
- Midweight fleece jacket or wool sweater
- Hiking pants/shorts depending on temperature
Clothing
- Synthetic t-shirts/long sleeves for each day
- Hiking socks (wool or synthetic) for each day plus one extra
- Lightweight thermal bottoms, synthetic or wool
- Down/synthetic insulated jacket or vest
- Wool or fleece hat
- Lightweight or liner gloves
Footwear
- Hiking boots or low-cut hikers, broken in
- Shoes for the hut: crocs, slippers, etc.
Other Essentials
- Map and compass
- First Aid Kit
- Emergency shelter, such as a mylar blanket
- Duct tape/gear repair kit
- Pocket knife/small multi tool
- Matches/Firestarter
- Sunglasses with retainer strap
- Sunblock and lip balm
- Extra food/snacks
- Whistle
- External battery for charging electronic devices
- Headphones/ear plugs for bunkroom
- Cash/card for hut purchases and gratuity
Self-Service Season
Gear
- Snowshoes
- Traction device: stabilizers, micro-spikes, etc.
- Backpack with waistbelt to carry extra layers, water and lunch, overnight gear
- Pack cover, trash bag or other pack liner
- Trekking poles
- Two 1-liter water bottles
- Sleeping bag, rated 0 to 20 degrees.
- Bringing a sleeping bag liner can add warmth without a lot of added weight
- Travel Pillow
- Headlamp/flashlight with extra batteries
- Hand towel, toiletries, personal medications
Outerwear
- Waterproof rain jacket with hood
- Waterproof rain pants
- Midweight fleece jacket or wool sweater
Clothing
- Mid or lightweight thermal tops, synthetic or wool
- Mid or lightweight thermal bottoms, synthetic or wool
- Fleece or wool pants
- Down or synthetic insulated jacket or vest
- Wool or wool blend hiking or ski socks, one for each day plus one extra
- Balaclava or neck gaiter for face protection
- Wool or fleece hat
- 2 pairs of heavy warm gloves or mittens
Footwear
- Insulated, waterproof winter hiking boots
- Insulated slippers or comfortable shoes for the hut
Other Essentials
- Sleeping bag liner for extra warmth
- Hand and toe warmers
- Gaiters
- Water bottle parkas or mittens/wool socks that fit around the bottle
- Thermos
- Map and compass
- First Aid Kit
- Emergency shelter, such as a mylar blanket
- Duct tape/gear repair kit
- Pocket knife/small multi tool
- Matches/Firestarter
- Sunglasses with retainer strap
- Sunblock and lip balm
- Extra food/snacks
- Whistle
- External battery for charging electronic devices
- Headphones/ear plugs for bunkroom
- Cash/card for hut purchases and gratuity
Service Animals
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), businesses and organizations that serve the public must allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals into all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. This federal law applies to all businesses open to the public, including AMC managed lodging and visitor centers, where service animals are welcomed.
A service animal at AMC facilities must be under the control of its handler. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.
These rules do not apply to emotional support animals because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
For more information about our policies, click here.
Our Commitment to Sustainable Operations
AMC has a long-standing commitment to using its huts, lodges, and sporting camps as models for sustainable operations and environmental stewardship. At Galehead Hut we use solar panels and battery banks to run electricity and use LED lighting. The hut has composting toilets and we are committed to recycling and composting food.