The American Mountaineering Center is the premier building devoted to mountaineering and outdoor education in the United States and possibly the world. With construction funded by special member contributions and grants--not member dues--the AMC includes the second-largest mountaineering-oriented library in the world, a 350-seat auditorium with advanced multimedia capabilities, a gift shop, an Interactive Learning Center for mountain-oriented education, a Conference Center, Climbing Wall, other meeting rooms available for CMC use, and staff and volunteer offices.

In addition to the CMC, the AMC houses the American Alpine Club and the administrative headquarters of Outward Bound, Wilderness.