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Established Camping

Mount Philo State Park Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Mount Philo State Park Campground, near Charlotte, Vermont, is a cozy spot that offers a peaceful escape with stunning views of Lake Champlain and the surrounding mountains. With just ten campsites, including seven tent sites and three lean-tos, it’s perfect for those seeking a bit of privacy in nature.

The campground features clean facilities, including composting toilets and coin-operated showers, which visitors have found to be well-maintained. Campers appreciate the picnic tables and fire pits at each site, making it easy to enjoy evenings around the fire. One reviewer noted, “The sites are very private and shaded,” which adds to the overall charm of the area.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the short hike to the summit is a must-do, especially for catching breathtaking sunsets. There are also nearby trails for hiking and exploring, plus local attractions like beaches on Lake Champlain and a brewery just a stone's throw away. As one happy camper put it, “It’s quite an amazing site,” highlighting the beauty that surrounds this campground.

While the park itself is small, the scenic views and tranquility make it a fantastic choice for a weekend getaway. Just remember to book early, as spots fill up quickly!

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Location

Mount Philo State Park Campground is located in Vermont

Detail location of campground

Directions

From the junction of Hwy 22A and U.S. 7: Go 6 miles north on U.S. 7, then 1 mile east on local road.

Address

5245 Mt Philo Rd
Charlotte, VT 05445

Coordinates

44.27700002 N
73.22100036 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Poke-O-Moonshine

Poke-O-Moonshine

34 min away

Bridgeview Harbour Marina

Bridgeview Harbour Marina

37 min away

Drive Time

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Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

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Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

10 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 11, 2025

Hidden gem!

Great little campground at a beautiful state park. The campground had widely spaced wooded sites and was exceptionally quiet. Very well-maintained! Recommend nearby Charlotte town beach for swimming ($10 for non-residents).

Site6
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Sep. 17, 2021

Quiet, secluded, great view

Sites 1, 6 and 8 and the best if you're only camping with those at your site as they're the most secluded and private. Sites 2 and 3 are more open, to both each other, and to those en route to the bathrooms.

Bathrooms were very clean. Coin-op shower with hot water is 50 cents for 5 minutes, 75 cents for 7:30, etc.

The toilets are composing toilets, but from the user experience, it's very close to a regular toilet in that it's in a stall in a nice, well maintained proper bathroom (unlike some composting toilets in outhouse situations I've used).

There's not much to do at the park itself, other than a nice scenic overlook and some short hiking/walking. But there's plenty to do in the surrounding area: hikes, beaches on Lake Champlain (although dog unfriendly), fiddlehead brewery and a vineyard across the street, and everything in Burlington.

Site1
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Drew Q., September 17, 2021
  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Drew Q., September 17, 2021
  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Drew Q., September 17, 2021
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Jul. 21, 2019

Great small park

Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service. Nice hikes and cool views of the area!

  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Kaelin P., July 21, 2019
  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Kaelin P., July 21, 2019
  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Kaelin P., July 21, 2019
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 16, 2018

Great little park

What a great little park! apparently this is the first state park in Vermont. Only 8 campsites so try to book early. Nice trails that lead to scenic views of Lake Champlain. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Showers were quarter operated, 50 cents for 5 minutes. Firewood sold on site. Sites are well groomed and have a fire pit and picnic table.

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  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Beau B., August 16, 2018
  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Beau B., August 16, 2018
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2018

Beautiful Vermont

I only got to stay two nights here but it was veey nice. only seven tent sites and three Leanto so pretty secluded. the best part is every night its only a ten minute hike to the summit from where the sites are and you get to watch the sunset over Vermont and lake champlain as the sun falls behind the adirondack mountains, its quite an amazing site. very highly recommended if y oi u want piece and quiet and that mountain feel with a stunning view.

  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Thomas B., August 5, 2018
  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Thomas B., August 5, 2018
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Reviewed Oct. 30, 2017

Worth it for the Views Alone

Vermont’s oldest state park has just 10 campsites (7 tent sites and 3 lean-tos). We’ve stayed there a few times, and even during high summer the campsites aren’t usually full. The park itself is busy during the day, in part because the views from the top of Mt. Philo are incredible, and you can drive your car right to the top for an impromptu picnic.

My favorite part about camping here is getting up early and hiking the short trail to the top for a spectacular sunrise. The sites are very private and shaded, and it’s close proximity to Burlington make it a good choice for travelers, but because the road is steep and winding, it’s not suitable for RVs. Bathrooms are small and clean with hot showers. If you want to cool off in the summer, head to Kingsland Bay State Park on Lake Champlain, which is just a few miles away.

Site8
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Tara S., October 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Tara S., October 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Tara S., October 30, 2017
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Aug. 29, 2016

Mt. Philo-- gorgeous views and private.

We visited and camped here 3 years ago with children. We love how private the camp sites were. There are less than 20 sites total, and all sites are near walk-in paths to excellent views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks or the Green Mountains. The facility is small, but adequate. If you want to camp in the Champlain Valley, this is a great place to check out.

Reviewed Jul. 27, 2016

Awesome Views of the Vermont Country side

Great little park, not many sites but I come here for the short hike and the amazing views. You can't beat them in the Summer, Spring, Fall, or even snowshoeing in the winter

  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Meag F., July 27, 2016
  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Meag F., July 27, 2016
  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Meag F., July 27, 2016
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 28, 2016

The views!

Fantastic spot in VT! Not many sites so book early, but so much nature, great for a family trip, the views from the summit of the mountain overlook lake Champlain and the mountains of Vt and ny. Nice hiking trails, is quite popular for walks and hikes and can be crowed sometimes.

  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Michelle D., June 28, 2016
  • Review photo of Mount Philo State Park Campground by Michelle D., June 28, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

How do visitor reviews rate the camping experience at Mount Philo State Park?

Mount Philo State Park Campground is consistently rated highly by campers, with most giving it 5 stars. As Vermont's oldest state park, it's known for its small, intimate camping area with just 10 sites (7 tent sites and 3 lean-tos). Campers particularly appreciate the privacy and seclusion of the well-spaced, wooded sites. The campground is noted for being exceptionally quiet and well-maintained, even during peak summer months. Sites 1, 6, and 8 are considered the most private and secluded, while sites 2 and 3 are more open and closer to the bathrooms.

What amenities are available at Mount Philo State Park Campground?

Mount Philo State Park Campground offers clean bathrooms and coin-operated hot showers (50 cents for 5 minutes). Each campsite includes a picnic table and fire pit, with firewood available for purchase on-site. The campground has only 10 sites total - 7 tent sites and 3 lean-tos. Facilities are basic but well-maintained. Moderate cell service is available throughout the campground. For swimming, nearby Charlotte town beach is recommended, though it has a fee for non-residents.

When is the best season to camp at Mount Philo State Park in Vermont?

Mount Philo State Park offers excellent camping experiences across multiple seasons. Summer provides warm weather and full access to all amenities. Fall is spectacular with colorful foliage enhancing the already impressive views of Lake Champlain and surrounding mountains. Spring brings blooming vegetation and fewer crowds. The park can even be enjoyed in winter for snowshoeing, though camping may not be available. For the best combination of pleasant weather and stunning views, late summer through mid-fall is ideal. Due to limited sites, booking well in advance is recommended for any season.

What is the hiking experience like at Mount Philo State Park?

Hiking at Mount Philo State Park offers accessible trails leading to spectacular panoramic views. From the campground, it's only a short 10-minute hike to the summit, making sunset viewing a popular activity. The trails provide scenic overlooks of Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks, and the Green Mountains. While the park is quite popular for day hikers, which can make trails crowded at times, the proximity of these breathtaking vistas to the campsites is what makes this park special. Multiple paths around the mountain accommodate hikers of various experience levels.