established in 1919
The mountain trails of the Evans Notch area were explored by members of the Appalachian Mountain Club (Appies) in 1879. In 1919, through the generosity of Theodore Conant, the AMC was able to purchase “The Ledges” - a church camp located alongside the Cold River consisting of six buildings, a tennis court and a cold spring situated on 38 acres of land.
During the initial camp summer of 1919 thirty-seven guests explored the nearby trails and found lifetime friends at the newly named Cold River Camp (CRC). By the following year, seven cabins alongside the ravine had been built, and CRC welcomed 472 guests for the summer of 1920. The 1920 weekly charge was $18 for a cabin, $16 for a tent. Today, CRC features 26 cabins, ranging from the cozy single-occupancy Chalet and Villa to spacious family cabins like Speckled and Caribou, which comfortably sleep up to six. Each summer, CRC welcomes up to 70 campers per week for nine full-service weeks, along with two partial-service Extension weeks.
As stewards of this cherished historic place, we embrace the challenge of preserving its rich past while ensuring a vibrant future. Every historic building is lovingly maintained and thoughtfully enhanced, while new structures are designed to harmonize with the camp’s history and surrounding natural beauty. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, the highly anticipated Lodge Improvement Project has transformed and expanded Conant Lodge, creating a welcoming space that will inspire and serve guests for the next century.
A Tradition of Friendship
CRC is more than its charming buildings—it’s a community, a family built on lifelong friendships and shared adventures. Generations of campers have explored the trails, taken refreshing dips in the Cold River, and savored the simple joys of camp life. Whether swapping stories on the Lodge porch as native hummingbirds flit by or losing themselves in a good book in the quiet comfort of the library, our guests find a home here.
A Tradition of Hiking
For generations, people have been drawn to this breathtaking corner of the White Mountains for many reasons. For hikers, the trails of Evans Notch offer something for everyone—from gentle nature walks to rugged, above-treeline climbs. Cool off in crystal-clear pools, scramble up rocky ledges, or explore hidden relics of the region’s logging and mining past. Discover cascading waterfalls, bubbling springs, and quiet moments along the Cold River. And for those seeking even more adventure, the Presidential, Carter, Mahoosuc, and Wildcat ranges await just beyond CRC. The mountains are calling—what will you explore?
A Tradition of Outdoor community and Education
Each week at CRC includes dedicated volunteer Trip Leaders (Hike Leaders and Naturalist). These passionate guides lead hikes and nature discovery activities while serving as valuable resources for those eager to explore the area’s trails and natural wonders on their own. Children can become Junior Naturalists by completing activities from the Junior Naturalist booklets. These activities inspire curiosity about the outdoors – whether it’s identifying trees by their leaves, observing water striders in the Cold River or taking nocturnal walks to listen for the barred owls, or to gaze up at the Milky Way. CRC fosters a deep connection to nature, encouraging guests of all ages to learn, explore, and appreciate the natural world that surrounds us.
a tradition of volunteerism
CRC thrives because of its passionate and dedicated volunteers, whose time, energy, and skills sustain this beloved AMC treasure. From those who roll up their sleeves during Opening and Closing Weekends to Trip Leaders, trail maintainers, and garden caretakers, every contribution strengthens the camp community. At the heart of it all is the CRC Committee (CRCC), a volunteer board that oversees camp operations, stewards its finances, and ensures its legacy for future generations. Supporting them, professional staff manage the summer, extension seasons, and off-season use—ensuring that CRC remains a place of adventure, connection, and stewardship.
and of course, CRc traditions!
At CRC timeless traditions run deep, connecting generations through shared experiences - morning coffee on the lodge porch, community blueberry picking in CRC’s own fields, poetry readings, the legendary Baldface Circle hike, an invigorating dip in the Cold River before breakfast, summer blooms showcased at flower shows, cut-throat ping pong tournaments, “shooting the chutes” below the Cold River dam, the Friday night talent show, showcasing guests’ (and the croo’s!) hidden skills, singalongs, and the wake up horn in the morning signaling the start of another day filled with exploration, adventure, and camaraderie. For many, CRC is more than just a summer getaway—it’s a home away from home. Multi-generational families return year after year, drawn back by friendships, the call of the mountains, shared experiences, and a shared commitment to conservation.
If you are curious about the rich history of the land around CRC and what is now known as New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Folk Life Learning Center has a breadth of information on Native Americans in New Hampshire.
This interactive Native Land Map can also help you visually explore the lands around Cold River and to learn more about the peoples that inhabited it.
before crc
Twice a year, in winter and summer, CRC publishes The Little Deer Dispatch, a lively newsletter filled with the latest camp happenings, seasonal highlights, and updates from the Camp community.