White Mt. NF--Zealand Falls Hut, Bethlehem

White Mt. NF--Zealand Falls Hut, Bethlehem

Jefferson, New Hampshire 03583

Official Website
Mount Zeland trails
White Mountain National Forest Official Website

About this Location

Hike through the Zealand Valley during peak fall foliage. Cool off in nearby waterfalls on warm days. Or ski in during caretaker season for a quiet winter escape. Whatever your season, Zealand Falls Hut has it.

About White Mountain National Forest

See all hotspots at White Mountain National Forest

In the decades prior to 1911, the unregulated logging practices of private timber companies in the White Mountains had resulted in a damaged landscape susceptible to both fire and flood. Fires had burned thousands of acres, and flash floods affected the water power necessary to the mills of major industrial centers downstream, such as Manchester, New Hampshire, and Lowell, Massachusetts. Concerns over losses to industry, business, and tourism, and the growing conservation movement led to citizen action. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and Society for Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF) spearheaded an effort to ensure the permanent protection of the White Mountains from further depredation. After years of lobbying and intense public pressure, Senator John Weeks of Massachusetts, a native of Lancaster, New Hampshire, introduced legislation that became known as the Weeks Act. The Weeks Act was passed by Congress in 1911, appropriating 9 million dollars to purchase 6 million acres of land in the Eastern U.S. In turn, this led to the creation of the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) in 1918, and twenty-one other national forests throughout the north and southeast. Many of the groups who were instrumental in the passage of the Weeks Act, including the SPNHF and the AMC, are still active today, and the WMNF has grown from 7,000 acres to almost 800,000. Today, the reforested mountains and hillsides supply forest products and provide magnificent recreational opportunities while maintaining healthy watersheds and ecosystems.

Notable Trails

An easy 2.8-mile hike leads to one of our more popular destinations for families and those new to backcountry travel. If you’re a more seasoned hiker, you’ll also appreciate Zealand Falls Hut for its eastern Pemigewasset location, near Zealand Mountain, the Bonds, and other majestic peaks. And as with our other huts, the Zealand crew whips up breakfasts and dinners that don’t disappoint.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Content from Official Website and White Mountain National Forest Official Website

Last updated November 13, 2023