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Taft Lodge

updated: March 8, 2017

The largest, oldest shelter on The Long Trail – originally built in 1920, reconstructed in 1996.

There is usually a GMC caretaker in residence.

photos October 3, 2007

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About Jamie Compos

I'm the guy behind DownTheTrail.com. I love the outdoors, and the Grand Canyon is my favorite destination. Go to the about page to see more about me and this site, or go here to see the latest posts.

Comments

  1. Louis Butler says

    March 29, 2021 at 8:07 pm

    How do i reserve it?

    Reply
    • Jamie Compos says

      March 29, 2021 at 8:59 pm

      Reservations are not available, space under the roof is allotted on a first come, first “serve” basis. This is a simple backcountry shelter, so the term “lodge” may be misleading.

      Reply
  2. Andrew Hutton says

    October 8, 2019 at 10:46 am

    How does occupancy tend to be this time of year? What are the alternatives if there isn’t space?

    Reply
    • Jamie Compos says

      October 8, 2019 at 2:58 pm

      Hi Andrew, unfortunately I haven’t visited Taft Lodge since 2007, so I can’t speak for its recent trends. I do know that it reportedly has space to sleep 24, and I was one of only three people at the shelter when I was there in ’07. The mountains get cold in October so I imagine there would be plenty of room. I think overflow camping should be possible in the general area, too.

      Reply
  3. Stephanie says

    July 6, 2018 at 10:47 am

    Hi, i was wondering if we have to pay or make a reservation to stay a night in a shelter of mount mansfield. Thank you

    Reply
    • Jamie Compos says

      July 8, 2018 at 3:02 pm

      It’s a very informal backcountry setting. There’s no reservation system and a caretaker may be present to accept cash payments.

      Reply
      • Louis Butler says

        March 29, 2021 at 8:08 pm

        What is a caretaker?

      • Jamie Compos says

        March 29, 2021 at 8:57 pm

        A caretaker is someone camping at the shelter as a temporary resident, commissioned by the Green Mountain Club to collect fees. This individual will often perform maintenance duties like shoveling out the fire pit, keeping an eye on the condition of the outhouse, clearing downed trees from the nearby trails, and educating visitors about Leave No Trace principles.

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