Nystuen is a historic mountain lodge at 980 metres, at the western end of lake Otrøvatnet. First mentioned in 1627, but believed to be much older. The owners were compensated by the king to aid travellers and provide shelter on the crossing. When tourism developed in the late 1800s, the lodge expanded into Nystuen Hotel and became an important starting point for trips into Jotunheimen and towards Årdal.
The painter J.C. Dahl visited in 1850 and made several studies here. His painting "Stugunøset at Filefjell" from 1851 hangs in the National Museum. The landscape around Nystuen has barely changed since he captured it.