Maine Huts & Trails

Name

Maine Huts & Trails

Legal name

Maine Huts & Trails

Website

https://mainehuts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Recreation and Backcountry Eco-Lodge Hospitality

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (72121)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Wilderness & Backcountry Lodges (Remote/Off-Grid) (THAGAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mountain & Wilderness Lodges (THAAAHAE), Seasonal & Long-Term Campsites (Snowbirds, Extended RV Stays) (THAMAJAF)

Keywords

• Backcountry eco-lodges
• Hut-to-hut hiking
• Outdoor recreation services
• Nonprofit hospitality
• Trail maintenance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Winter Hut Overnight Stays (Full-Service & Self-Service): Revenue from overnight hut stays during the winter season (December 27 – March 21). Full-service stays include dinner, breakfast, and lunch cooked by hut staff served family-style. Self-service stays allow guests to use commercial kitchen facilities to prepare their own meals. This is described as the primary revenue stream funding the free trail network.
2. Summer Hut Rentals (Private Full-Hut Bookings): During summer (mid-May to early November), huts are available for private full-hut rentals for groups including schools, youth organizations, community groups, outing clubs, and families. Flagstaff Lake Hut sleeps up to 48 guests; Stratton Brook Hut offers attached bunkhouse with mountain views. Grand Falls Hut remains closed.
3. Public Events (Ticketed): Ticketed events hosted at huts including the Forest & Forage (fungi and food event, 4th year in 2026), Harvest at the Huts (fall event with live music and dinner), Alpine Feast (winter celebration, 6th annual in 2026), and Flagstaff Foliage & History Weekend. These events generate revenue while promoting the organization's mission.
4. Weekend Lunches and Concessions: Stratton Brook Hut is open on select weekends during summer for day visitors to purchase lunch, beverages, and ice cream. Lunches include soups, sandwiches, and baked goods with prices ranging from $1 for cookies to $12 for soup/sandwich combos.
5. Donations and Foundation Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Maine Huts & Trails relies on tax-deductible donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships. Donor levels range from $50 (Trailhead) to $3,000+ (Peak). Donations support trails maintenance, hut operations, environmental sustainability improvements, and the Youth & Community Experience Fund. A $250,000 grant was awarded by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Maine Trails Program for Dead River Corridor trail restoration.
6. Gear Shuttles: Optional paid gear shuttles from trailheads to huts, transporting guests' equipment for a more enjoyable experience. Mentioned in winter trip planning materials.
7. Beverage Sales at Huts: A selection of wine, beer, and other beverages are available for purchase at huts during all stays and day visits. Maine craft beers are highlighted in the beverage program.
8. Store / Merchandise: Maine Huts & Trails operates an online store (mht-online-store.square.site) selling merchandise and goods. Gift certificates are also available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Maine Huts & Trails operates four off-grid backcountry eco-lodges connected by approximately 50 miles of free, year-round, multi-use trails in Western Maine. The organization sells overnight hut stays (full-service meals or self-service use of commercial kitchens), private summer hut rentals for groups, gear shuttles, ticketed culinary events, free guided outdoor programs, and merchandise. The trail network is offered free to the public, funded by hut revenue, donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships, and is supported by an off-grid energy infrastructure using solar, hydroelectric, and lithium-ion battery systems.

Product overview

Maine Huts & Trails is a nonprofit organization operating four off-grid eco-lodges (Stratton Brook Hut, Poplar Stream Hut, Flagstaff Lake Hut, and Grand Falls Hut) connected by approximately 50 miles of free, year-round multi-use trails in Western Maine. The portfolio includes core lodging experiences (full-service and self-service overnight stays), trail access (day-use and multi-day hut-to-hut trips), and seasonal programs (winter skiing/snowshoeing/fat biking, summer rentals and events). Add-on offerings include guided programs, special culinary events (Forest & Forage, Harvest at the Huts, Alpine Feast), youth/community funding programs, weekend lunches, and an online merchandise store. All huts operate off-grid using solar and hydroelectric power systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stratton Brook Hut (The Gateway to the Bigelows) Highest elevation off-grid eco-lodge in the Maine Huts & Trails network, offering mountain-top access with views of the Bigelow Range. Features attached bunkhouse, outdoor fire pit, modern amenities including hot showers and composting toilets, weekend lunch service in summer, and access to hiking and mountain bike trails.
• Poplar Stream Hut (The Northwoods Nook) Northwoods off-grid eco-lodge along the Carrabassett River, featuring access to waterfalls and waterfall loop trails. Powered by a hydroelectric system that reduces propane consumption by approximately 80% and conserves 43,000 lbs of carbon. Includes modern amenities (composting toilets, hot showers, gear drying room) and new restaurant-grade kitchen appliances installed for Winter 2025-2026.
• Flagstaff Lake Hut (The Lakeside Haven) Largest off-grid eco-lodge in the network, accommodating up to 48 guests on Flagstaff Lake. Features great dining room, game/lounge room, private bathrooms, full commercial kitchen, and free use of canoes, kayaks, paddles, and PFDs. Includes caretaker on-site and is the primary venue for school/youth group programs and large private retreats.
• Grand Falls Hut (The Riverside Retreat) Remote wilderness off-grid eco-lodge near the Grand Falls waterfall; currently closed due to infrastructure damage from flooding and battery issues. Listed as the Riverside Retreat in the hut network.
• Winter Hut Trips Seasonal overnight hut-to-hut stays during winter (December 27 – March 21) with full-service meals cooked family-style by hut staff or self-service option using commercial kitchens. Includes optional gear shuttles from trailheads and access to groomed Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking trails. Described as the primary revenue stream funding the free trail network.
• Summer Hut Rentals Private full-hut rentals for groups including schools, youth organizations, family reunions, outing clubs, community groups, and professional teams during summer season (mid-May to early November). Pricing varies by hut; Flagstaff Lake Hut sleeps up to 48 guests; Stratton Brook Hut offers attached bunkhouse with mountain views.
• Youth & Community Experience Fund Financial assistance program providing discounted and free hut stays for qualified schools, community organizations, summer camps, and youth groups. Supported by sponsors including L.L.Bean, Central Maine Power, and Quimby Family Foundation. In 2025, 33 overnight groups served, 406 youth received discounted stays across 12 educational establishments and 14 youth/community organizations.
• Free Guided Program Series Free seasonal guided outdoor activities including snowshoe hikes, cross-country ski trips, and fat bike rides led by Registered Maine Guides and naturalists. Programs run January through March and bring outdoor-minded individuals together, with optional lunches at huts available for purchase during guided trips.
• Forest & Forage Event Annual immersive foraging and culinary experience in its 4th year in 2026, featuring guided foraging hikes led by Rewild Maine, wilderness skills instruction, and multi-course forager's dinner prepared by chefs including Pete Uzzell and Iulian Fortu (Noma-trained). Held at Stratton Brook Hut / Flagstaff Lake Hut.
• Harvest at the Huts Event Annual fall celebration featuring live bluegrass music, locally-sourced dinner, and overnight backcountry experience at Stratton Brook Hut.
• Alpine Feast Event Annual winter celebration at Stratton Brook Hut in its 6th year in 2026, featuring food stations curated by Big Tree Catering, craft beer from Bissell Brothers and 1820 Brewing, a ChappyWrap blanket raffle, and community gathering. Described as the organization's biggest winter fundraiser.
• Weekend Lunches at Stratton Brook Weekend food service at Stratton Brook Hut during summer, serving lunch, beverages, and ice cream for day visitors on select Saturdays and Sundays. Lunches include soups, sandwiches, and baked goods priced from $1 (cookies) to $12 (soup/sandwich combos).
• MH&T Online Store E-commerce platform selling Maine Huts & Trails merchandise and products, powered by Square commerce at mht-online-store.square.site.
• Gift Certificates Gift certificates redeemable for hut stays and experiences at Maine Huts & Trails.
• Maine Hut Trail System Approximately 50 miles of free, year-round, multi-use trails connecting the four eco-lodges, groomed for cross-country skiing in winter, with trails for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and fat biking. White diamonds mark the main groomed trail; blue diamonds mark ungroomed side trails. Free and open to the public year-round.

Quantifiable outcome

• 43,000 lbs of carbon conserved through hydroelectric power at Poplar Stream Hut (reducing propane use by 85%)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnered with Maine Huts & Trails for the Tracks and Trees Nature Walk, a guided snowshoe program led by Registered Maine Guide Bob Duport around Flagstaff Lake Hut. NRCM members participated in the final winter guided program of 2026.
• Bissell BrotherscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Event sponsor for the 6th Annual Alpine Feast winter celebration, providing Maine craft beer for the event. Sponsorship supports the organization's biggest winter fundraiser.
• 1820 BrewingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Event sponsor for the 6th Annual Alpine Feast, providing craft beverages for the winter celebration event.
• ChappyWrapcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Maine-based company that donated cozy blankets for raffle at the 6th Annual Alpine Feast, supporting the winter fundraiser event.
• Big Tree CateringcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Award-winning catering company that curates food and beverage stations for the Alpine Feast winter event (Izakaya-themed in 2026 with charcoal roasted skewers, soup, and homemade sushi). Also catered the Alpine Dinner for donors and the 5th Annual Alpine Feast (2025). Long-term event partnership.
• Carrabassett Region New England Mountain Bike Association (CRNEMBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for winter fat bike rides and trail maintenance. CRNEMBA maintains singletrack trails used by MH&T guests. Second annual winter fat bike ride organized in January 2026 with participants from across Maine and Canada. CRNEMBA-maintained trails connect to the MH&T trail system.
• Rewild MainecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Nonprofit partner providing foraging education and wilderness skills instruction for the Forest & Forage event at Stratton Brook Hut. Led by Zack, the organization conducted foraging hikes finding Black Trumpet, Chanterelle, Turkey Tail, Hemlock Reishi, Tiger Eye, and Eastern Candy Cap mushrooms.
• High Peaks AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Coordinates the High Peaks Recreation Rangers program, which completed trail maintenance across the northern and central parts of the MH&T trail system. The crew of four rangers worked on Sticky Trail, Warren's Trail, Larry's Trail, Shore Trail bog bridging, and trail tread work near Halfway Yurt.
• Skowhegan OutdoorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnered with MH&T for novice ski to Flagstaff Lake Hut and co-led the Tracks and Trails Snowshoe. Skowhegan Outdoors also ran youth mountain bike camps with overnight hut stays at Stratton Brook Hut.
• Chef Pete UzzellcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Returning chef for Forest & Forage event (3rd year in 2025), providing multi-course culinary experiences featuring foraged ingredients at Stratton Brook Hut. Also participates in the annual culinary event series.
• Chef Iulian Fortu (Poplar Restaurant, Washington DC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Executive Chef at Poplar restaurant in Washington DC; trekked from DC to join Forest & Forage 2025. Graduate of Culinary Institute of America, trained at Noma in Copenhagen. Professional forager serving notable DC restaurants. Featured in the special culinary guest lineup for Forest & Forage.
• Sam Fitz (ANXO Cider / Poplar Restaurant)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025President of ANXO Cider (Mid-Atlantic cidery) and operations overseer for Poplar restaurant in Washington DC. Avid forager collecting wild mushrooms with his daughter. Joined Forest & Forage 2025 to showcase cider pairings and culinary ingredients.
• Wabanaki Youth in SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Week-long Summer Earth Camp held at Flagstaff Lake Hut with activities including swimming, canoeing, archery, fishing, and traditional cultural practices. First-time hut group in 2025.
• Agren ApplianceminorOthers · 1 January 2025Delivered three restaurant-grade refrigerators and freezers to Poplar Stream Hut, which were then transported through snow to the hut via tracked side-by-side for the winter 2025-2026 season opening.
• Maine Solar SolutionscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Partnered with Maine Huts & Trails to install a 7-kilowatt rooftop solar array at Stratton Brook Hut, replacing storm-damaged panels. The project was funded through the Business Recovery and Resilience Fund grant.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Outward Bound USA: Operates wilderness education programs with expeditions using backcountry huts and lodges. Comparable in serving youth and community groups with outdoor experiences funded in part by donations and partnerships.
• NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School): Provides wilderness education courses in backcountry settings. Comparable in delivering guided, fee-supported outdoor experiences and in serving youth/educational customers, though it is course-led rather than lodging-led.

Broad incumbents

• REI Co-op: National outdoor co-op offering gear, guided programs, and stewardship of trails across the US. Comparable as a large outdoor-recreation ecosystem player and as an indirect channel partner (e.g., similar to Maine Huts & Trails' L.L.Bean partnership) for backcountry hut users.
• High Sierra Camps (Yosemite Hospitality/Delaware North): Operates a network of high-elevation backcountry camps in Yosemite National Park. Comparable product (curated backcountry lodging with meals and guided experiences), though delivered as a large hospitality concessionaire rather than a nonprofit.

Direct peers

• Green Mountain Club: Maintains Vermont's 272-mile Long Trail and associated shelters. Comparable as a nonprofit stewarding a long-distance, fee-free backcountry trail network with overnight accommodations, volunteer-driven maintenance, and donor support.
• Hostelling International USA: A nonprofit hostel network offering affordable lodging in outdoor and urban destinations. Comparable as a mission-driven accommodation provider with strong youth travel and educational travel demand, though focused on hostels rather than backcountry huts.
• Adirondack Mountain Club: Operates lodges, lean-tos, and trail networks across the Adirondack Park in New York. Comparable as a membership-based nonprofit providing backcountry lodging, trail stewardship, and youth outdoor programming in the Northeast.
• Appalachian Mountain Club: Operates the White Mountain hut system in New Hampshire, providing backcountry overnight lodging connected by a multi-use trail network. Highly comparable to Maine Huts & Trails in operating model, hut-to-hut trips, free trail access, and member/nonprofit funding structure.
• Vermont Huts Association: A nonprofit association linking a network of backcountry huts and trails in Vermont with a membership-based access model. Closely parallels Maine Huts & Trails' hut-and-trail system, multi-use trail access, and reliance on partnerships with private landowners.

Others

• Student Conservation Association: National nonprofit engaging youth in trail building and conservation service. Comparable audience (youth volunteers on trail projects) and donor-funded nonprofit model, though not a competing lodging operator.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mainehuts
• Instagraminstagram.com/mainehuts
• Xx.com/mainehuts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maine Huts & Trails