Cabins
OPO cabins in the Grant for alums and employees, DOC cabins for anybody and everybody, and a couple of random cabins.
- Read the cabin descriptions.
- Read about cabin reservations (our policies).
- View cabin availability to request a reservation online.
| We are changing our cabin reservation policy! For OPO cabins after May 23, 2008, and for ALL new DOC cabin reservations, see the New Policy. Also see an update on our transition progress. |
Who can make a cabin reservation?
7 DOC Cabins outside the Grant — anyone!- 3 DOC Cabins inside the Grant — Dartmouth students, alums, and employees only
- 7 OPO Cabins inside the Grant — Dartmouth alums and employees only
There is also Titcomb Cabin, on Gilman Island in the Connecticut River, which is reserved through the Ledyard Canoe Club (by anybody and includes a free canoe rental).
Finally, it’s not really a cabin, but the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge accepts room and meal reservations as well — or you might be thinking of the shelters on the Appalachian Trail which are all first-come, first-serve, no reservations possible.
When can I rent cabins?
- DOC Cabins — three weeks in advance (four weeks for student DOC members)
- OPO Cabins — six months in advance
The DOC cabins are primarily intended for students (whose planning tends to be somewhat short-term) so we allow Dartmouth students who are DOC members to reserve DOC cabins up to four weeks in advance, and everyone else can reserve them three weeks in advance (effectively giving student DOC members first crack at them). But we know alums and employees need to be able to plan their excursions with more notice, so OPO cabins can be reserved up to six months in advance (and wow, do they go quickly six months before hunting season!).
All of the cabins are available year-round, except that we close the Grant down around the month of April for mud season. Also, we don’t plow all the roads in the Grant every year (it depends on where logging operations are going on), so some cabins may be far from parking in the winter.
What are the cabins like?
They vary. Dartmouth’s cabins were constructed or acquired over many decades, and philosophies of cabin design and construction have varied over time. Sometimes folks want to build cabins with modern amenities, and sometimes folks want a cabin to provide the greatest possible escape from modern life.
Most of the cabins are log structures, one or two rooms, usually with a porch. Most of the cabins are heated by woodstoves (with wood provided to burn), have bunks with mattresses (but no linens, pillows, or blankets), and have an inventory of basic cooking gear: pots, pans and utensils, plates, bowls, glasses and silverware, etc. Most have only outhouses for facilities. See the cabin descriptions for more details on each cabin.
How much do the cabins cost?
DOC Cabins: $60 per night ($40 for DOC members, $20 for Dartmouth students, $10 for Student DOC members, free for DOC life members)
OPO Cabins: $60 per night
How do I make a reservation?
For DOC and OPO cabins, first get an overview of the cabin descriptions, and review the reservation policies and procedures. Then check what‘s available to request a reservation online.
We do not answer questions about cabin availability by email or fax, nor take cabin reservations by email or fax (because it usually turns into a back-and-forth about what cabins are available what days and it’s impossible to keep track of).
