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Brassie Brook Shelter - Bear Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

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CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Brassie Brook Shelter is located near Bear Mountain along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Connecticut. The terrain consists of forested areas and hilly landscapes. Campers can explore nearby attractions such as Bear Mountain and the Appalachian Trail, with temperatures ranging from 20°F in winter to 80°F in summer.

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Location

Brassie Brook Shelter - Bear Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail is located in Connecticut

Coordinates

42.0315934852097 N
73.45298530731748 W

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LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Tolland State Forest Campground

46 min away

Treetopia Campground

52 min away

Drive Time

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46 min from Pittsfield
59 min from Kingston
1 hr from Waterbury
1 hr 12 min from Hartford

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Access

Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Group

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Phone Service
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Nora S.

Legend

Reviewed May. 28, 2021

A refuge in the woods

We ended up stumbling on this campsite on our way to the Riga lean-to, which was a very happy surprise. We started our hike at the under-mountain trailhead, located right off route 41, and climbed up the mountain. Be prepared for steep inclines, and lots of rocks. After about a mile, you reach a trail intersection, stay left and continue up the hill until you reach the giant sign that reads "Appalachian Trail - North and South". As we started pretty late in the afternoon, we ended up directly taking a left and heading to the Riga shelter. On the way, you pass the Brassie Brook Lean-to and its about another mile to Riga. As I said earlier, we stayed for one night at Riga, and after hitting the bear mountain summit (right at the big sign), we turned back to spend the night at Brassie Brook. Brassie Brook has a small lean-to as well as about 4/5 campsites located all around. Firepits, toilets but that's about it. Leave NO Trace! We had a phenomenal time, and definitely recommend!

Month of VisitMay

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Tina D.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2018

Weekend Backpacking

This site is just south of the Bear Mtn summit. You can park at the Undermountain Trailhead area. Once you hit the AT go to the right and it goes to the summit. From the summit it was a left and another mile or so. You will run into the Brassie Brook shelter lean-to. It's a pretty great little site for being in the middle of nowhere like we like. The lean-to fit our small tens, and there is a picnic table. There's also a bear box near by. Room to camp your tent on the ground too if you wanted to or had more ppl along. Our trip was sadly cut short because we were freezing and it was raining a lot LOL but hey it's part of the experience. The fall views made it worth it. We did have some sun spots at least throughout the trip. Great weekend overnight backpacking.

SiteBrassie Brook

Month of VisitOctober

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Brassie Brook Shelter located near Bear Mountain?

Brassie Brook Shelter is located just south of the Bear Mountain summit in Connecticut along the Appalachian Trail. To reach it, park at the Undermountain Trailhead off Route 41, then hike up to the AT. Once on the AT, head right toward the Bear Mountain summit. From the summit, turn left and continue for approximately another mile to reach the shelter. The shelter is situated near Brassie Brook, offering a peaceful spot for hikers traversing this section of the Appalachian Trail.

What camping options are available at Bear Mountain?

Bear Mountain offers several camping options for hikers. The primary option is Brassie Brook Shelter, a lean-to structure that provides basic accommodations for overnight stays. There are also tent sites available in the vicinity of the shelter for those who prefer to pitch their own tent. Additionally, hikers might find the Riga lean-to as another option in the area. These rustic camping spots are designed for backpackers traversing the Appalachian Trail rather than for vehicle-accessible camping.

What hiking trails connect to camping areas at Bear Mountain?

The primary trail connecting to camping areas at Bear Mountain is the Appalachian Trail (AT), which runs directly past Brassie Brook Shelter. Hikers can access the AT via the Undermountain Trail, which begins at a trailhead off Route 41. This trail involves steep, rocky terrain for about a mile before intersecting with the AT. From there, hikers can follow the AT to either Bear Mountain summit or continue on to reach Brassie Brook Shelter and other camping areas like Riga lean-to. The trail system offers beautiful but challenging hiking with significant elevation changes and rocky sections.

Do I need permits for camping at Bear Mountain?

No formal permits are typically required for overnight stays at Brassie Brook Shelter or camping along this section of the Appalachian Trail near Bear Mountain. However, it's always best practice to follow Leave No Trace principles, including properly disposing of waste and respecting site capacity. For the most current regulations, check with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy or the local trail maintaining club before your trip, as policies can change seasonally or annually.

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Brassie Brook Shelter - Bear Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

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Location

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For Campers

FREE established camping

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Reviews

5.0

A refuge in the woods

Weekend Backpacking

Where is Brassie Brook Shelter located near Bear Mountain?

What camping options are available at Bear Mountain?

What hiking trails connect to camping areas at Bear Mountain?

Do I need permits for camping at Bear Mountain?