Mount Philo State Park

Perched on a wooded hilltop in Charlotte, Vermont, Mount Philo State Park offers one of the most accessible and rewarding summit views in the Champlain Valley. The park centers on a 968-foot hill that rises sharply from the surrounding farmland, giving visitors a panoramic look west across Lake Champlain to the Adirondack Mountains of New York. It is one of Vermont’s oldest state parks, with a character that feels unhurried and genuinely welcoming to families, solo hikers, and anyone who wants a meaningful outdoor experience without a strenuous backcountry commitment.

The Summit View and What You Can See

The view from the top of Mount Philo is the reason most people come, and it delivers. On a clear day, the full width of Lake Champlain spreads out below, with the Adirondack High Peaks rising behind it to the west. To the north, visitors can often see the outline of Burlington and the Champlain Islands. The summit area includes a small grassy overlook where people spread out blankets, eat lunch, and watch the light shift over the water throughout the day. It is the kind of view that rewards arriving at different times, since morning light and late afternoon golden hour produce very different effects on the lake surface and surrounding hills.

Trails to the Summit

Two main hiking routes lead from the base to the summit. The summit hiking trail is about 3/4 mile to the summit, gaining about 500 feet in elevation through hardwood and mixed forest. The footing is generally good, though some sections involve rocky terrain and tree roots that require attention. A paved auto road also winds up to the summit, used both by vehicles and by hikers who prefer a gentler grade. Families with young children often take the road up and the hiking trail down, or vice versa. The trails are well-marked and the distances are short enough that most visitors complete a round trip comfortably in under two hours.

Camping at Mount Philo

The park offers a small, intimate campground with tent sites and a few lean-to shelters, all within the forested hillside. The campground is popular precisely because of its manageable size and the sense of quiet it provides, especially on weekday evenings. Campers have access to restroom facilities; the campground has 7 tent sites and 3 lean-to sites. RVs/trailers are not suited or recommended at Mount Philo, and Vermont State Park campsites do not have electric, water, or sewer hookups. Because the campground fills up quickly on summer weekends, reservations are strongly recommended and can be made through the Vermont State Parks reservation system. The experience of waking up at the base of the hill and hiking to the summit before breakfast is one of the park’s underappreciated pleasures.

Pet Policy

Leashed pets are welcome at Mount Philo State Park on trails and in most outdoor areas of the park. Dogs/pets must be leashed with a leash no longer than 10 feet or safely confined, unless otherwise posted. Pets are allowed in Vermont State Parks campgrounds, including lean-to sites, for the applicable pet fee; they are generally not allowed inside park buildings except service animals. Owners are expected to clean up after their animals. Given the presence of wildlife in the area, keeping pets close and under control is both a park rule and a genuine safety consideration.

Wildlife to Be Aware Of

Black bears live in Vermont, and campers should follow bear-safe food storage practices wherever bears may be present. Campers should store food, coolers, trash, and scented items securely, such as in a locked vehicle or approved bear-resistant container where provided, and follow current park staff instructions. Never leave food unattended at a campsite or picnic area, and do not attempt to approach or photograph a bear at close range. If a bear enters your campsite, make noise and give it space to leave.

White-tailed deer are common throughout the park, on trails and near campsites, particularly in the early morning and evening hours. They may appear calm and approachable, but feeding deer is not permitted and is genuinely harmful to them. Deer that become habituated to human food sources lose their natural wariness and can become a nuisance or a hazard.

Ticks are a real concern throughout the hiking season, from early spring through late fall. Deer ticks capable of transmitting Lyme disease are found in the wooded and grassy areas of the park. Wear long pants and closed shoes when hiking, apply repellent if desired, and do a thorough tick check on yourself, your children, and your pets after returning from any trail. Remove any attached ticks promptly using fine-tipped tweezers.

Practical Information

Mount Philo State Park’s official Vermont State Parks address is 5425 Humphreys’ Rd., Charlotte, VT 05445, roughly 12 miles south of Burlington. From Route 7, turn east onto State Park Road and follow signs to the park entrance. For 2026, Mount Philo is open for camping/shelter use from May 22 through October 12 and for day use from May 22 through October 25; dates vary by year.

Entry fees are $5 per adult age 14 and up, $2 per child ages 4 to 13, and free for children ages 0 to 3. Season passes and 10-punch cards are available for frequent visitors. See vtstateparks.com/fees for current rates and any updates.

Camping reservations can be made online through the Vermont State Parks system and are highly recommended for summer weekends. The summit auto road is accessible to passenger vehicles, making the park genuinely usable for visitors with limited mobility. For current conditions, hours, and availability, contact the park directly or check the Vermont State Parks website.