Cardigan Lodge
Mount Cardigan rises out of the Shem Valley as a beacon for outdoor lovers. Next to 5,000-acre Mount Cardigan State Forest, Cardigan Lodge is located on a 1,200-acre reservation owned by AMC and is a short 2-hour drive from Boston.
Whether snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, hiking, or camping, Cardigan Lodge offers the perfect setting to easily enjoy the outdoors. Guests can access more than 50 miles of hiking and historic ski trails, built by the Civilian Conservation Corp., directly from the lodge and choose from numerous routes up to Cardigan Mountain’s 3,121-foot treeless granite summit. Known as ‘Old Baldy,’ Mount Cardigan is a three-peaked mountain with Cardigan the highest, flanked by the neighboring summits of South Peak and Firescrew. The 360-degree panorama includes views of Mount Monadnock, the White Mountains, Camel’s Hump in Vermont, and Pleasant Mountain in Maine.
Group and individual walk-in campsites are available for reservations and are easily accessible for those wishing to camp and enjoy the quiet forest, natural mountain springs, and dark night skies. A small retail store offers books, maps, gear, gifts and other last-minute items. Our Demo Center offers guests the opportunity to try out Deuter backpacks and LEKI poles for free.
During full service, your stay includes dinner, breakfast, and trail lunch, along with provisions such as linens, soap, and towels. On warm days, relax on the porch or explore the pond after your hike. If you prefer to be indoors, there is a large dining room with tables and a comfortable sitting room on the main floor, as well as a small library/game room downstairs. Please note that dogs are not allowed in the lodge at any time.
Breakfast is served at 7:30 a.m. Hot beverages are available at 6:30 a.m. Trail lunches are made to order and available for pick up at breakfast. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. Meal reservations are available to campsite guests.
During the Self- Service times, guests have full access to and use of the kitchen to prepare their meals.
Linens, towels, soap and shampoo are provided year round.
Learn more about AMC’s cancellation policies for lodging and programs.
From southern New Hampshire, Boston and its suburbs
- Take Interstate 93 North to Route 104 West (Exit 23, New Hampton, N.H.).
- Take Route 104 West, about six miles to Route 3A North in Bristol, N.H.
- Follow directions below from Bristol.
From northern New Hampshire
- Take Interstate 93 south to Route 104 West (Exit 23, New Hampton, N.H.).
- Take Route 104 West, about six miles to Route 3A North in Bristol, N.H.
- Follow directions below from Bristol.
From southern New Hampshire, Boston and its suburbs
- Take Interstate 93 North to Route 104 West (Exit 23, New Hampton, N.H.).
- Take Route 104 West, about six miles to Route 3A North in Bristol, N.H.
- Follow directions below from Bristol.
From northern New Hampshire
- Take Interstate 93 south to Route 104 West (Exit 23, New Hampton, N.H.).
- Take Route 104 West, about six miles to Route 3A North in Bristol, N.H.
- Follow directions below from Bristol.
Upper and Lower Nature Trails (Easy): This 1-mile loop includes interpretive displays as you explore the nearby forests of Cardigan State Forest. Step out straight from the Lodge and follow the signs to the loop, and be sure to bring a pair of binoculars for any wildlife sightings on your journey.
Mount Cardigan (Strenuous): Hikers of all ages enjoy a hike up Mount Cardigan, with its 360-degree views of surrounding White Mountains. Start just outside Cardigan Lodge on the Manning Trail, hiking 0.2 mile to the intersection with the Holt Trail. Follow the Holt Trail for 1.8 miles to the summit of Cardigan, then head north along the Mowglis Trail to the summit of Firescrew Mountain and reconnecting with the Manning Trail. Continue on Manning Trail back to Cardigan Lodge.
Explore more hikes in the area in AMC’s Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide.
Also located nearby:
Mountain Biking options for both beginners to advanced riders: Green Woodlands Foundation and Highland Mountain Biking Park.
Kayaking, SUP, boating and fishing on Newfound Lake.
One of the premier sport climbing destinations in the country, Rumney Rocks!
Cardigan Lodge Accessible Areas
Dining and living room areas are accessible. Sleeping rooms and restrooms are not accessible.
All Persons Trail
The Cardigan All Persons Trail is a one-mile out-and-back trail accessible from the Cardigan Lodge parking lot and can be enjoyed by visitors in wheelchairs, hikers with walkers, families with strollers, and more.
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 Cardigan Lodge we use solar panels and have a car charging station. Our food is locally sources and we trade food waste with a local farmer for firewood and snowplowing services. Cardigan Lodge also offers environmental education opportunities.