Riga Shelter: On The Appalachian Trail In Connecticut

Riga Shelter is a Connecticut Appalachian Trail shelter with nearby tent sites.  All information in this post is accurate, to the best of my knowledge, as of an October 2018 visit.  If you have any updated information about this shelter please comment below.

Location of Riga Shelter

Riga shelter is located in Northern Connecticut just off of the Appalachian trail at about mile 1503 heading northbound.  It is 3.4 miles north of Undermountain Road in Salisbury and just over 3 miles south of the Massachusetts state line. We hiked to Riga Shelter from the Route 41 trailhead using Undermountain Trail.  Nearby viewpoints include Lion’s Head to the south and Bear Mountain, the highest summit in Connecticut, to the north.  Click here for my post about an overnight hike that included a stay at Riga Shelter and a visit to Bear mountain.

Camping at Riga Shelter

Riga Shelter sleeps six and is known for having the best sunrise views of any shelter in Connecticut.  Unfortunately, during our recent visit cloud cover allowed only a few brief glimpses of the view and no visible sunrise.  Behind the shelter are four tent sites, two with tent pads and two with platforms. There is also a large site available for groups.

Other Useful Things to Know About Riga Shelter

This camping area has a bear box and there is a picnic table in front of the shelter.  Campfires are not allowed on the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut.

There is a spring located close to the AT.  The blue blazed trail to the shelter also crosses a brook that may be a more plentiful water source if the spring is not flowing.

The privy is spacious and well maintained despite some obvious animal damage.  The shelter log confirms that a porcupine was frequent privy visitor throughout the spring and summer.