Summit Huts Association

Welcome to Summit Huts

Summit Huts Association manages five backcountry huts, including the most visited hut in Colorado - Francie's Cabin. We are dedicated to developing and maintaining a system of backcountry cabins that are accessed by non-motorized trails in Summit County, Colorado. 

Our goal is to raise $12,000 for our scholarship fund, giving local youth, who might not otherwise have the chance, the opportunity to experience the wonder of backcountry education while staying at a Summit Hut. Through hiking mountain trails, learning in an experiential, natural environment, and sharing unforgettable moments with classmates, students discover lessons that come alive through hands-on activities, writing prompts, and games focused on stewardship, community, and gratitude. Your support helps the next generation connect with nature, appreciate the beauty of their own backyard, and build a lifelong love for the outdoors.

Mission

Summit Huts Association provides a backcountry refuge for self-propelled mountain recreational users and provides a unique venue in spectacular natural settings for community, charitable and educational programs.

Testimonials

Submitted by Devon O'Neil, Freelance journalist and writer

"The Summit Huts Association is like an unsung hero. Everyone knows the huts are there, but only when you experience the peace and grounding that happens at these cabins do you appreciate their transformative value to thousands of users. People visit the huts from across the country and throughout the world to take refuge from the bustle and stress of society. This includes everyone from children to grandparents; from groups of 20 to solo adventurers. The huts are particularly valuable as an educational resource to local school children who are just starting to learn about backcountry recreation and safety. It's one thing to hear about that stuff in a classroom, it's another entirely to live in a hut at 11,400 feet and experience the wilderness for oneself. More than anything, the huts are sanctuaries of enlightenment, often in ways and to extents we don't realize until we've returned (usually reluctantly) to the real-world swirl far below"

Summit County 5th Grader, Sylvia Scram

"Francie's Cabin - I will never forget the experience, I will never forget we played poker, we had a dance party, we played cards and had such a good time. I will never forget this experience."

Jaimee Keene

We (12 ladies) just finished an overnight hut trip at Francies Cabin outside of Breckenridge, and had the best bonding experience. The hike was a little steep but short (less than 1.6 miles). The place was clean with a well-stocked kitchen to make our meals. Highly recommend!