Free Cabins for Hikers: Explore U.S. Wilderness Shelters

The Concept of Wilderness Huts

Imagine this: you're hiking through the San Juan Mountains in the Rockies, and you see an empty cabin as the sun starts to set. Night is going to fall soon, and the cabin is empty, well-equipped, and unlocked. In fact, it's there for you to use. While it might sound too good to be true—and even a bit reminiscent of those childhood fables like Hansel & Gretel—the reality is that these wilderness huts exist for hikers to use. They’re remote, often barebones, and left unlocked on purpose.

If you’ve been following the story of Tiffany Slaton, a solo hiker who survived a grueling stint alone and injured in the Sierra Nevadas, you might recognize the idea. Slaton survived after finding a remote cabin, which had been unlocked specifically for emergencies like this. Welcome to the world of wilderness huts, also called backcountry huts or backcountry shelters. They're a well-known quantity to hikers who forge out into the US's most remote areas—but to the rest of us humble travelers, they sound like the start of a horror film.

A Global Tradition

The concept of wilderness huts isn't unique to the United States. It dates back to the Old World, where the idea of leaving a cabin unlocked for wayward hikers sounds like a callback to the frontier days, when resources were fewer and Mother Nature was less manageable. In reality, wilderness huts can be found around the world. In Scandinavia, for example, it's common to find wilderness huts throughout the region, where hiking and cross-country skiing are popular year-round. The same is true in the Alps; one famous wilderness hut near Zermatt, Switzerland, dates back to 1917, built strictly for emergencies for high-altitude hikers.

You can also find them in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Russia. In fact, some regions have their own special variation on the wilderness hut. In Germany, you might find biwakschachteln, a more impromptu variation of the hut. In Finland, there are even wilderness huts that are maintained by the state each year.

The United States’ Wilderness Hut Systems

The US also has a few well-known chains where you can find remote, empty cabins along famous hiking routes. These huts are often part of larger trail systems and provide essential shelter for hikers traveling long distances.

One of the best places to find wilderness huts is in national parks. For example, Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii has a few wilderness cabins that you can use during a multi-day hike. The National Park Service has plenty of information on the route, the cabins that are available, how to use them, and other relevant tips.

Another notable example is LeConte Lodge in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This lodge is accessible only via hiking and offers a place to rest for those traversing the area. However, the largest and most extensive wilderness hut system is located on the country-crossing Appalachian Trail.

The Appalachian Trail and Beyond

The Appalachian Trail is a scenic route that weaves almost 2,200 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia up to Mount Katahdin in Maine. This National Scenic Trail sees around three million hikers take on part of the route each year, and is overseen by various groups, from the National Park Service to the nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

On more well-known hiking routes like this, you can expect to find multiple areas with wilderness huts. Once again, be very local if you're searching for options. For example, in New Hampshire's White Mountains region, there are eight wilderness huts overseen by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). These huts provide essential shelter and are often used by hikers traveling through remote areas.

Planning Your Hike

If you're planning a hiking trip that includes wilderness huts, it’s important to do your research beforehand. Most networks are short and localized, so the best way to find wilderness cabin maps and routes is to search for them when you've identified your immediate hiking area and route. Many trails offer detailed information about available huts, how to access them, and any rules or guidelines for their use.

By understanding the availability of these huts, hikers can better prepare for their journey and make the most of the resources provided. Whether you're looking for a place to rest, seek shelter, or simply enjoy the beauty of the wilderness, these huts offer a unique and valuable experience for those who venture into the great outdoors.