Mount Philo State Park
Charlotte, VT
A small wooded summit with an open ledge looking west over Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. A short winding road reaches the top, and a brief trail leads to the best viewpoints; it is lovely near sunset.
Mount Philo in Charlotte became Vermont's first state park in 1924, making it the oldest. At 968 ft (about 295 m) the mountain is not high, but the summit offers wide views across the Lake Champlain valley to the Adirondacks. The park covers 232 acres (about 94 ha). In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps built roads, trails, a campground, ranger quarters, a picnic area and the Summit Lodge here.
Today you can hike to the summit on a trail of about 1.2 km (0.75 mile) or drive the narrow, steep mountain road; there are also picnic areas, a small campground and a pavilion. Because the view faces west, late afternoon is a good time to go; one to two hours is enough for the view and a short walk. The park is open from Memorial Day weekend to the second Monday in October (as of October 2026). The entrance and camp roads are not recommended for trailers and large vehicles.
- Nearest town
- Charlotte, VT
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 44.2770, -73.2290
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Maple Hill CampsitesCampsite14 mi from Mount Philo State Park
- Rivers Bend CampgroundMotorhome stopover15 mi from Mount Philo State ParkMotorhomes
- Poke-O-Moonshine CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Mount Philo State Park
- Lincoln Pond CampgroundCampsite20 mi from Mount Philo State Park
- Crown Point CampgroundCampsite20 mi from Mount Philo State Park
- Apple Island ResortCampsite25 mi from Mount Philo State ParkCaravans
All campsites in Vermont · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Mount Philo State Park?
Mount Philo State Park is in Charlotte, VT, at GPS 44.2770, -73.2290. It is about 14 mi from Burlington.
Can you camp near Mount Philo State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Paddlers Site, about 5 mi away; within 25 mi there are 36 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Mount Philo State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Shelburne Museum (7 mi), Church Street Marketplace (14 mi), Ausable Chasm (21 mi) and Smugglers' Notch (28 mi).
When is the best time to visit Mount Philo State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)