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Brassie Brook Shelter - Bear Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

2 ReviewsAdd Review

This free Appalachian Trail shelter requires a hike-in approach starting from the Undermountain Trailhead off Route 41. Campers follow the AT north past Bear Mountain summit for about a mile to reach the lean-to, which accommodates small tents inside and offers additional tent sites on the surrounding ground. The site includes a picnic table, bear box, fire pits, and basic toilet facilities.

The location sits roughly a mile south of the Riga Lean-To, making it a convenient stopping point for multi-day AT hikers. Reviewers note steep, rocky terrain on the approach trail and recommend preparing for variable weather conditions. The shelter works well for backpackers seeking an established overnight spot along this section of trail.

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Location

Private Campground

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

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

42.0315934852097 N
73.45298530731748 W

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Connectivity

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    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/5/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/5/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

FREE established camping

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

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2 Reviews

Nora S.The Dyrt PRO User
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
  • Review photo of Brassie Brook Shelter - Bear Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail by Nora S., May 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Brassie Brook Shelter - Bear Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail by Nora S., May 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Brassie Brook Shelter - Bear Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail by Nora S., May 28, 2021
  • (15) View All
Tina D.The Dyrt PRO User
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
  • Review photo of Brassie Brook Shelter - Bear Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail by Tina D., September 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Brassie Brook Shelter - Bear Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail by Tina D., September 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Brassie Brook Shelter - Bear Mountain — Appalachian National Scenic Trail by Tina D., September 29, 2018
  • (7) View All
Showing results 1-2 of 2 reviews

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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