New Huts Planned

New Huts in USA & Canada: planning or expansion

New Huts USA, planned, under construction, or under discussion are listed in the order in which hut2hut.info hears about them (most recent  first). Please let us know about new huts under discussion or planning in USA!

  • Superior Highland Backcountry in Lutsen, MN advocates for backcountry skiing and is planning a backcountry ski hut system from Finland, MN to Lutsen, MN.
  • Several hut systems are in very early stages of discussion: Bay Area Ridge Trail (San Francisco); Seward, Alaska; and Sitka, Alaska (Sitka Conservation Society);
  • Alaska Huts Association is planning a Lodge and two huts in a system called the Glacier Discovery Project, in partnership with the Chugach National Forest and Alaska Railroad
  • Apx1.co , with a group of investors, envisions creating a hut system extending from the U.S. Canadian border to the U.S. Mexican border.  To the extent possible this system will utilize existing trails and link existing hut systems, and will build new trails and huts as needed.  They are investing $1,000,000 in creating an open source reservations platform optimized for hut system reservations, supporting both exclusive-use and by-the-bunk reservation models.  The new huts will be owned and operated by Apx1.co, while new trails will be built and maintained by a separate non-profit.
  • Seawall Trail in Cape Breton, Canada is planning a 4 hut coastal walk.
  • Wallowa Mountain Huts is hopes to expand its season to include summer.
  • LandPaths, a land trust in Sonoma County, California, is in the early stages of planning a paradigm-shifting hut system dedicated to their mission of connecting people to the land through environmental education and hands-on land stewardship.  Will include treks linking existing lodging options (AirBNB, hotels, etc.), and also hut-to-hut options.
  • Vermont Huts Association is exploring viable sites in Green Mountain National Forest to host a year-round facility capable of serving various outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers, mountain bikers, backcountry skiers, and snow-shoers.  The plan is to develop a statewide network of hut-to-hut possibilities.
  • American Prairie Reserve opened its first 2 huts and opened them in 2018.  A third is under construction and will open in 2019.  Planning for a hut system by the American Prairie Reserve in Montana envisions a system of 10 huts travelled by foot, canoe, and bike.   Their website has conceptual map and designs, and states that: “American Prairie Reserve Hut-to-Hut System will offer a level of affordability, a sense of security, and shelter from the elements that appeal to a wide range of visitors, including families, well-traveled adventurers, seniors, youth programs, and less experienced campers.”
  • Plans for the 650 mile single-track biking Oregon Timber Trail include a network of huts along the trail.  The huts are planned for later phases of the newly opened and as yet incomplete trail.
  • Tenth Mountain Division Huts completed work on a c. $600,000 “Base of Operations” located on 4.2 acres of donated land in Leadville. The facility include three buildings (vehicle and equipment storage, toolshed, and short-term housing for up to 4 people), and an area to process firewood. Opened in 2018.
  • Grand Huts in Colorado have received a $100,000 grant to help fund the construction of a new hut, the second in a hut system projected to grow to up to seven huts.
  • Summit Huts Association (CO) has received a special use permit from US Forest Service to add a fifth hut to its system.  This hut was completed and opened in 2019.
  • Spearhead Huts System, a joint project of the Alpine Club of Canada and British Columbia, has been in the planning process for a traverse comprised of three huts near Whistler, B.C. Their 2012 project proposal gives a good overview of plans at that time. Updates on the planning process are available on their website.
  • The Columbia River “Towns to Trails Initiative” is a project of the Friends of the  Columbia River Gorge Friends. From their website: “Gorge Towns to Trails is a vision for a comprehensive trail system wrapping around the Columbia Gorge, linking communities with recreation, benefiting tourism, and highlighting and enhancing the beauty and wonder of the Columbia Gorge. ” They appear to be in the very early stages of planning.
  • [Appalachian Mountain Club (NH) has officially withdrawn a proposal to add a ninth hut to its system in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains.]
  • Maine Huts and Trails has completed 4 of its planned huts. Plans for continued expansion are not yet set.  Moved from Full Service to Self Service in 2019.
  • Adirondacks “Hamlets to Huts” plans to open the first of several hut-to-hut trails in 2020.  They are planning a system based on linking existing trails and supplementing existing lodging options to created a series of hut and trail systems in the Adirondack Park. This will hut system will be called