Camel’s Hump State Park Photo: Thomsonmg2000 / CC0
United States › Vermont

Camel’s Hump State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Size: more than 20,000 acres (81 km²)
  • Highest point: Camel’s Hump, 4,083 feet (1,245 m)
  • Trail link: the Long Trail runs over the summit
  • Distinction: the highest undeveloped peak in Vermont, with rare alpine tundra
  • Gateway: Waterbury and Huntington
  • Managed by: Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation

The landscape

Camel’s Hump’s distinctive double profile rises in the Green Mountains, its summit a small island of arctic-alpine tundra left behind by the last ice age. Northern hardwood forest gives way to spruce and fir near the top. Moose, black bears and many birds live on the mountain.

Best time to go

Summer and fall are the main seasons, with foliage in late September and early October. Spring mud season closes high trails. Winter brings deep snow and ice on the summit.

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Getting there and around

Trails climb from several trailheads around the mountain, including the Monroe, Burrows and Bamforth Ridge trails. Roads to trailheads pass through small communities; drive slowly and park only in designated spots.

Things to do

Day hikers climb to the summit by the Burrows or Monroe trails, and the Bamforth Ridge trail offers a longer, steeper route. Long Trail hikers cross the summit and stay at shelters on either side. Summit stewards explain the fragile alpine plants in season.

Staying safe

The summit is exposed and often much colder and windier than the trailheads. Carry layers and turn back in bad weather. Ice lingers into spring and returns in fall, so carry traction. Stay on the rock at the top to protect the tundra, and respect mud season closures. Leave a trip plan.

Know before you go

This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current trail conditions and closures with Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
44.2900, -72.8785
Magnetic declination
13.6° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

23 places in Camel’s Hump State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

On the trail 8

Trailheads

Route

Campground

Huts and shelters

Sights 15

Viewpoints

Lakes

Peaks 10

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeWeekend backpackingWinter trip

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
MountainsAlpineForest
Key hazards
Exposed summit in wind and coldIce and snow much of the yearFragile alpine vegetationMud season trail closures
Best seasons
Summer, Fall (foliage), Winter
Difficulty
Moderate to strenuous
Access / trailheads
Trailheads at Monroe (Huntington side), Burrows and Forest City from Huntington, and Bamforth Ridge from the Winooski River near Waterbury. Drive slowly through the communities on the access roads.
Water
Streams; treat all water. The summit is dry.
Cell / satellite coverage
Fair on the summit, patchy on the trails.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
Camping only at designated Long Trail shelters and sites. High-elevation trails in Vermont close during spring mud season, typically mid-April to Memorial Day.
Leave No Trace
Stay on the rock on the summit to protect rare alpine plants, camp only at designated sites, and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high55°F(13°C)13°C(55°F)
Average low36°F(2°C)2°C(36°F)
Rainfall5.3 in(135 mm)135 mm(5.3 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 4 minSunrise 7:05 a.m., sunset 6:09 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Waitsfield station, 9 miles (14 km)14 km (9 miles) away at 1,142 feet (348 m)348 m (1,142 feet). Rain and snow from a second Waitsfield station, 7 miles (11 km)11 km (7 miles) away at 1,028 feet (313 m)313 m (1,028 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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