Mt. Philo State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Mt. Philo State Park was established in 1924 on 237 acres surrounding Mt. Philo in Vermont. Mt. Philo features sedimentary rock that was deposited millions of years ago when the area was once covered by the sea, and these rocks have thrust up due to seismic activity. From the mountain’s peak at 968 feet above sea level, visitors can enjoy views of the Green Mountains, the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain. The land was originally donated to the state by the owner of the nearby Mt. Philo Inn, which still operates today. In addition to being Vermont’s first state park, it took a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
Nearby Cities:
Shelburne, VT
Burlington, VT
Charlotte, VT
Ferrisburg, VT
Spring 20-60 F
Summer 55-75 F
Fall 30-65 F
Winter 5-30 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Mt. Philo State Park
Campground Accommodations
Mt. Philo Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 20 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire pits, restrooms, coin-operated showers, firewood available
Shelburne Camping Area
One of the closest campgrounds to Mt. Philo State Park, Shelburne Camping Area lies just 10 miles north. Campsites here are tucked under the trees, offering plenty of shade on warm summer days. Choose RV sites with or without full hookups; no matter which you select, you'll have access to the swimming pool and dump station. Lake Champlain is less than 2 miles away, offering excellent fishing and boating. This spot offers nightly camping from April through November; after that, you must book in four-week increments. Nightly rates for no-hookup sites start at $36, while full-hookup sites range from $38 to $52 depending on your electric and cable TV needs.
North Beach Campground
Make the most of a summer visit to Mt. Philo State Park by booking a campsite at North Beach Campground. Located just across the road from Lake Champlain, this campground sits a short walk from a lovely sandy beach that's popular with local families. Spend your days swimming and playing on the beach playground or bring your bikes and jump on the bike path that runs nearby. After a day in the sun, the campground's hot showers and bathrooms are a great spot to clean up. Choose from 29 full-hookup sites or 39 sites with electricity and water. Every site comes with a picnic table, fire ring and free Wi-Fi access. North Beach Campground is open from May to mid-October, and you can expect to pay $45 per night for full-hookup sites and $41 for electric/water sites.
Appletree Bay Campground
If you love a full-service RV campground, head straight for Appletree Bay Campground. Located inside Apple Island Resort less than one hour from Mt. Philo State Park, this campground offers something for everyone in the family. Play a round on the golf course, take a dip in the pool or work out in the fitness center. You'll also find a general store, playground, community center and a museum, as well as a regular schedule of fun events. RV sites all offer full hookups. Some even offer patios and views of the lake. Rates start at $70 per night on weekdays and $80 per night on weekends and holidays.
What to Do at
Mt. Philo State Park
Mt. Philo State Park is most well-known for its incredible views from the top of the mountain, which features a picnic area. Views are also breathtaking along the park’s trails and while enjoying a scenic drive to the peak. Depending on your pace, you can spend a day or two hiking along the trails and savoring views, and you can also observe many animals and birds that call the area home. As a quiet park with only seven campsites, this is the ultimate destination for a relaxing trip in the great outdoors.
Inside Mt. Philo State Park
Beautiful Mt. Philo State Park is easy to explore in one day. If you're up for a gentle challenge, park at the bottom of the mountain and hike the trail to the top of Mt. Philo. The views along the way are spectacular, and the round trip is a lovely way to spend a few hours. There's also a road to the top, so you can drive to the summit. Bring snacks or a meal to enjoy in the picnic area; in the summer and fall, get there early to secure a parking spot and a picnic table.
Nature Watching
Whether you are camping, enjoying a picnic or hiking along the three scenic trails, you could observe several species in their native habitat. Migrating raptors are often seen between the months of September and November. Other bird species that you could spot from various elevations in Mt. Philo State Park include red-tailed hawks, cooper’s hawks, merlin falcons and kestrel falcons.
Stargazing
The lower trails and the camping area are heavily treed, but you can enjoy open skies from the summit of Mt. Philo. The park is closed to day-use visitors at sunset, so you will need to camp in the park to enjoy the brilliant night sky. The trail up to the summit may be difficult to navigate in the dark, so it is advisable to drive the short distance to the peak to admire the stars.
Flora and Fauna
In addition to the many birds that pass through Mt. Philo State Park each year, there are other stunning species for you to observe. Depending on the season, you could spot black bears, moose, white-tailed deer, coyotes, chipmunks, bats, squirrels and skunks. The landscape also displays wild lettuce, painted trillium, starflowers, jack-in-the-pulpit and other types of plants.
Hiking
The Summit Trail is heavily traversed, and it covers 1.7 miles as it winds from the parking lot to the summit. The Devil’s Chair Trail is only 0.4 miles long, and it takes you along the bottom of a cliff with wonderful views. Other trails at the park are the House Rock Trail, the Rabbit Rock Trail, the Waters Between Trail, the Old Carriage Road Trail and the North Vista Trail.
How to Get to
Mt. Philo State Park
Mt. Philo State Park is located in a remote yet easily accessible area just east of Highway 7 in western Vermont. It is roughly equidistant from Burlington to the north and Vergennes to the south. From Highway 7, turn east on State Park Road. This road leads you into Mt. Philo State Park. The parking area and the park office are located just inside the park’s boundary to the left. The campground is located on the opposite side of Mt. Philo.
Entering Mt. Philo State Park
The daily entry fee to Mt. Philo State Park is $2 for children between 4 and 13 years old, and $5 for those 14 and older. Younger children can enter for free.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mt. Philo State Park
Camping, hiking and nature watching are popular activities during the warmer months of the year, but the park also is popular for sledding in the winter. The park maintains a plowed parking lot and portable toilets in the winter.
Birds and mammals thrive in the habitat at Mt. Philo State Park. Seasonally, you may see kestrel falcons, merlin falcons, cooper’s hawks, red-tailed hawks and raptors overhead. The area is also home to squirrels, bats, coyotes, skunks, chipmunks, moose, bears and white-tailed deer.
The seven camping spots in Mt. Philo State Park are open for both tent and RV camping. However, you should note that the road leading to the campground is narrow in places, making it difficult for large vehicles to travel. It's not recommended if you're towing a trailer.
The camping fee for Vermont residents is $20 per night, and this increases to $28 per night for non-residents. There is an additional fee of $5 per person per night for groups of more than four people. The nightly pet fee is $2 per pet. Advance reservations are available but not required, and the non-refundable reservation fee is $8 per campsite.
Yes, pets are permitted at Mt. Philo State Park. If you are traveling with a dog, you are required to clean up after them.
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