Where do thru-hikers stay at night?
A. Most thru-hikers stay in the many tentsites and shelters spaced about a day’s hike apart along the trail. Some thru-hikers also carry a tent in the event that a shelter is full or there is a perfect little campsite by a mountain pond that is simply irresistible. In areas of heavy use, such as the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Baxter State Park in Maine, there may be a fee assessed to stay at the shelters and backcountry tentsites. When in town (see next question below), thru-hikers may stay in hostels or hotels.
