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Backcountry huts (or backcountry shelters) serve overnight hiking and trekking needs and can be found in many places in the world. New Zealand is a tramping (hiking, trekking) paradise, one of the reasons being that the country has an extensive network of tramping track and camping huts. The types of camping huts can vary from little bivouac shelters made of wood to slightly larger huts that may not have been maintained in the past, to huts that can sleep up to 40 people, and laid with cooking utilities and gas. Generally located in beautiful scenic spots or beside rivers and streams, they serve as a great camping experience. These huts are generally maintained by the Department of Conservation (New Zealand). There is over 800 of these huts throughout the country. Initially some of these huts were built to serve the deer cullers of the New Zealand Forest Service ^[1].

These cost of staying overnight at these huts can vary depending on the location and the condition of the hut ^[2]. The small bivouacs may not cost anything. Some huts, slightly larger ones, may cost about NZ$5. Some of the larger more popular huts along popular tracks have a charge of up to NZ$15. There may be a varying price again depending on the time of the year, summer or winter. If you are a regular tramper within the country you may consider getting a hold of a yearly ‘Hut Pass’ which may cost between NZ$60 to NZ$80 a year. Up-to-date information on the costs can be obtained from the Department of Conservation (New Zealand) offices or Visitor Information centres around the country. There are many private huts around the country, so be sure to establish this before you begin a tramp (hike, trek).

In the United States, backcountry huts may be provided by the Forest Service, state or national parks such as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park ^[3].

• pictures of huts
• topographic map of New Zealand