USDA Forest Service · New Hampshire
Garfield Ridge Shelter
USDA Forest Service · New Hampshire, United States
- Cost
- Overnight Use: Single Site: $15 per person per night
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 4,062 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon weak (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Nearest town
- Bethlehem, NH
Season dates aren't confirmed for this campground yet - opening and closing dates haven't been verified. Check the operator's page or call ahead before you plan a trip.
Site map
The imagery of the campground. Press and hold the map to drop your own pins and notes; the operator publishes no site points here. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
US Forest Service campground. The Garfield Ridge Shelter is located at approximately 3,900 ft. on the eastern shoulder of Mt. Garfield just off the Garfield Ridge Trail (Appalachian Trail). The shelter is a 12-person 'Adirondack' style shelter. The site also has 7 4-person tent platforms, a composting privy, bear box and dishwashing area. A fine spring is nearby. This site is staffed by a caretaker during the summer months. Not reservable through Recreation.gov, so plan on first-come, first-served; check with the ranger district for current conditions and fees.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16° | -3° | -29° | 30° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 18° | 2° | -34° | 40° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 29° | 12° | -15° | 48° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 41° | 24° | 6° | 64° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 56° | 36° | 13° | 74° | 9 of 11 |
| June | 61° | 43° | 33° | 75° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 69° | 53° | 43° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 65° | 50° | 39° | 79° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 60° | 44° | 32° | 76° | 1 of 11 |
| October | 45° | 31° | 18° | 63° | 10 of 10 |
| November | 28° | 18° | -13° | 54° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 21° | 5° | -17° | 41° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- Gale River Trailhead · 2.9 mi as the crow flies
Gale River 3.8 mi Hike · Drive there - Garfield Trailhead · 2.9 mi as the crow flies
Garfield Trail 4.7 mi Hike · Drive there - Skookumchuck Trailhead · 3.8 mi as the crow flies
Skookumchuck 4.0 mi Hike · Drive there - Lafayette XC-Ski Trailhead · 4.2 mi as the crow flies · Drive there
- North Twin Trailhead · 4.4 mi as the crow flies
North Twin 4.1 mi Hike · Drive there
All 512 trails in White Mountain National Forest
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Thirteen Falls · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
- Guyot Shelter · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi
- Cannon Mountain RV Park (Franconia Notch State Park) · New Hampshire State Parks · 4 mi · 7 sites
- Lafayette Place Campground (Franconia Notch State Park) · New Hampshire State Parks · 5 mi · 97 sites
- Liberty Springs Tent Site · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
All public campgrounds in New Hampshire · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2025-07-31. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.