Great Gulf Wilderness

Size: 5,552 acres

Trails: Approximately 22 miles of maintained trails, including 2.7 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Description: Added to the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1964 as a part of the original Wilderness Act, the Great Gulf Wilderness is the smallest of the WMNF Wildernesses . The Great Gulf lies in a glacial cirque surrounded by the northern Presidential mountains.

Special Regulations (in addition to those listed on main page):

  • No wood or charcoal fires at any location.
  • No camping from the intersection of the Great Gulf and Sphinx trails in the direction of Spaulding Lake.
  • No camping within 200 feet of any trail except at designated site.


WMNF Wilderness Areas

  • Sandwich Range
    35,800 acres: 25,000 designated by the 1984 New Hampshire Wilderness Act and 10,800 designated by the 2006 New England Wilderness Act.
  • Pemigewasset
    45,000 acres designated by the 1984 New Hampshire Wilderness Act.
  • Presidential Range - Dry River
    29,000 acres designated by the 1975 Eastern Wilderness Act and expanded in the 1984 New Hampshire Wilderness Act.
  • Great Gulf
    Approximately 5,552 acres, designated by the 1964 Wilderness Act.
  • Wild River
    23,700 acres designated by the 2006 New England Wilderness Act.
  • Caribou-Speckled Mountain
    Approximately 5,552 acres, designated by the 1964 Wilderness Act.