Located in Crawford Notch in the heart of the White Mountains, Highland Center is operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club, the country’s oldest recreation and conservation organization. Staying at Highland Center will provide opportunities to hike, ski, and climb out your front door. Your stay supports the AMC’s ongoing conservation efforts.
The Shapleigh Bunkhouse is a shared bunk space at Highland Center that accommodates 16 people in 2 separate bunkrooms. All bunks are in bunkbeds and the specific bunk is claimed on a first come first served basis. There are 2 private bathrooms and 2 private shower rooms each with a single shower in the bunkhouse. A kitchenette offers running water, a fridge, counter space and limited serving ware. The common space includes a futon for seating as well as a large table that seats up to ___ people comfortably. Bedding and towels are provided.
Guests staying in Shapleigh have access to the Highland Center Lodge. The lodge has a living room with a propane fireplace, comfortable sitting areas and well as tables for playing games or working on a laptop. The library in the lodge is more private on the second story overlooking the notch. With a variety of books, magazines and games to entertain you during your stay, a game room is in the basement with table tennis, air hockey and a variety of board games. Outside the lodge, we have a natural playscape for children to burn off extra energy. Internet is available throughout the lodge and bunkhouse.
Your stay includes a breakfast buffet in the dining room of the lodge. Dinner can be purchased ahead of time and lunches can be purchased ahead of time or upon your arrival. Lunches are bagged and provided immediately after breakfast to be taken on your hike, ski or other adventure for the day. You can also purchase beer and wine from our onsite bar in the lodge.
Your stay also includes access to our free gear library in the lodge. This includes almost anything you’ll need to enjoy hiking in the area, from boots to long underwear. You can pick up an item you forgot or be fully outfitted if you don’t have the gear you would want to hike in the area. You may take these on your adventures during your stay with us and return them when you depart. You can inquire about using these items upon check-in
A number of trails of varying degrees of difficulty depart from Highland Center such as the Crawford Path, Mount Willard Trail, Around the Lake Trail and Avalon Trail. In the winter these trails are often tracked out and can be travelled with snowshoes. Bretton Woods Ski Area offers excellent alpine and cross-country skiing only a 10 minute drive from Highland Center. The Cog Railway is located 15 minutes from Highland which offers train rides to the summit of Mount Washington as well as backcountry skiing in the winter months. Highland Center also puts you a 30-minute drive from the thriving mountain towns of Littleton and North Conway.
Our staff is knowledgeable about local recreation opportunities and can point you in the right direction for hiking trips, fishing spots, ski tours and great locations to spot local flora and fauna on land and on the water. Natural history presentations are often offered on site as well.
There is a meeting space available to rent if you have a larger group that would like to have a space set aside.
