Reviews of Mt. Philo State Park (Tourist Attraction)

S Menezes

Great hike, superb views.

Heidi Olson

The best park in our lovely state! Breathtaking views and a wonderful place to picnic.

Foster

Short and sweet hike with great views. Don't forget to bring your UGGs and Pumpkin Spice latte!

Ellen Cohen

Beautiful place. Very few campsites but they are very nice. Great staff

Ryan Sanderson

Great place to take friends with family to show them all Vermont has to offer. Very family friendly and easy trailed hike definitely worth a visit.

Tatiana Gladkikh

Beautiful view. Relatively easy and short walk. Parking is free during this season

Ron Rapp

A great way to get the kids into hiking at a young age. On a clear day you can see for miles and the views at the top of the Lake are spectacular.

Ellie Hagopian

Everything is great. You can hike up or drive to the top and in addition to great views there are many private picnic areas. Fantastic!

peggy phelps

Beautiful

Nicholas Mattison

Beautiful views of the New York mountainous landscape from the Vermont side of Lake Champlain

Joé

Great park to walk the dog!

Sandy Halbing

The best short hike. Views are worth more than the effort it takes to get up to the top. If you're in Burlington and looking for hike that doesn't take up your whole day- Philo is the place for you.

Brent McDonnell

End of March, still snow on the trails but very good park, as always

Jason Broughton

A great hicking experience, but you will get a nice workout

Jesse Hinson

Nice, cleans place to hike. It is also dog friendly.

J. Halsey Payne

You can sled down here in the winter time, which is dangerous but rewarding

Mark Stephenson

Nice place for a picnic to go explore and look out at the view $4.00/ adult can drive to the top and sit a a picnic table or adorondak chair and enjoy the view or hike around the trail. Saw a tanager bird while we were exploring.

Jason Hao

Great little park close to Burlington. You can either take a short hike up some trails, or drive up the paved road (summer only). They have lots of picnic tables and areas at the top, and you are rewarded with panoramic views of Lake Champlain.

Andrew Herbst

If you are looking for a great view, especially around sunset, you can drive (steeply) to the summit and park it at the top. From there you can walk a short distance to the Devil's Chair and view Lake Champlain with the Adirondacks as its backdrop. Entrance is $7 and the receipt is good that day at any other state park.

Man Gurung

Feeling fresh and fantastic .I enjoyed good views from the top of philo state park with my family and friends. That is our Vermont 's feels great .

Patti Berg Anderson

Took a bag lunch to summit. Enjoyed glorious fall colors from picnic table. Wonderful! Lots of people walking dogs, even passed a group of home-schooled kids w/ parents. Hiking trails in the woods. A few campsites available. Adult day pass $4/person.

Joseph Langevin

Nice pedestrian hike. There are short trails or you can walk up the road if no traffic. Pretty easy hike and nice view at the top.

tyler hapeman

Pretty easy trail to follow. The top can get a little confusing but the summit is absolutely gorgeous!! Best view I've had so far! Will definitely check it out again.

Jane Petch

Great hiking, views are awesome!

Lonnie VanZandt

Historic state park with easy trails and a summit offering excellent views of the southern Champlain Valley and the western Adirondacks.

Rian Bowes

Great views! Easy-intermediate hike up to the summit or you can drive. Just bring bug spray. The mosquitoes are out!

Ric Ravier

Found this thanks to a wrong turn. Amazingly neat little park. Lots of history and interesting tidbits about the world.back in the ice age. Reminds me of a similar place on Orcas Island in WA. Very much worth hiking the trails

V Warfield

Stunning view. Visitors can park near the entrance and hike to the top on a well-maintained trail that is not too strenuous, or they can drive all the way to the top, park, and take in the view. The road to the top is paved. Campsites are available.

Kristina Love

Perfect little hike for the less able and great views of lake Champlain

Joseph A. Roberts III

Nice hike options, plus you can drive to summit and check out the picnic tables!

Ethan Forns

Very nice hike, we had our little ones, 3, 5, and 11. They all enjoyed the hike

alrivera

Beautiful. Must see.

tucker dimasi

Gorgeous hike easy if you go up the road but the trail is just as easy. Also I didn't get stabbed

Louie Cooper

Needs more trimming of trees and bushes for a better view over valley

Adirondack Eddie

Beautiful views small ponds and walking trails

Derrick Weiss

Great hike even on an imperfect day. We went up the trail, and came down on the road. It's a good workout, since where we're from we don't have too many hikes like this. Amazing views at the top too.

Glyn Wilkinson

A lovely spot for a hike or a picnic. Many awesome vistas and photo ops. Camping here looks nice also. Some great facilities for larger groups and gatherings. A lovely and unspoiled forest and historic artifacts are there to be seen. This is Vermont's first State Park and has been enjoyed by many generations.

Pamela Doyle

Short hike with amazing views at the top and a nice picnic area

Richie Treanor

Easily one of the best bang for your buck hikes in New England. A short drive from Burlington plus a pleasant 20-30 minute walk later and you have tremendous views of the surrounding valley, Lake Champlain, the Green Mountains, and the Adirondacks. Easy trails plus an available paved road (no vehicles allowed) make the view accessible for families with young children, older folks, and people who may not be avid hikers.

Susan Valkai

One of the best mountains near Burlington to see a 360 view of Vermont amd the Adirondacks. Hands down my favorite day hike.

Benjamin Fleenor

Easy trail! Lots of little critters!

Amy Kapitan

A must do in Chittenden county. You can drive up for $4 per adult, or walk up for free. It's maybe a mile walk up a steep incline, and totally worth it for the views. Restrooms and picnic areas at the top along with camping and the ranger station.

Debdeep Bhattacharya

The hike was mostly easy. The view from the top is amazing. There is public restroom at the top with access to drinking water.

Mike Garabedian

Nice hike. The view from the top was great. The adirondack chairs at the top were a comfortable place to take in the breath taking views. If you camp in any of the state parks you can use your mirror tag to get into any state park for day use for free.

Chelsea S

The view never fails!

Julia Goff

The hike is longer than you might initially anticipate, however it is a lovely way to get some exercise. And the expansive views from the top are worth checking out.

Ali Douglas

Accessible walk for everyone.

John Bille

Could cut down more trees to improve the view

Huguens Alexis

Great hiking trail, relatively quick access to the top, where they're seats, picnic tables, and bathrooms

Joshua Golek

Fun semi- challenging hike good for all ages rewarded by magnificent views (and clean bathrooms) at the top. Please pick up after your pets and watch for poison parsnip. Can drive up and grill at the top as well.

Erin Grey

I have been here plenty of times. Its a great plave to go for a quick stop if you have about an hour and a half to 2hrs to kill. Plus the views from the top are worth the hike (take the trail or paved road to the top). You can also drive but what's the point? You want to experience the park (obviously barring physical limitations. If you can physically do it, I recommend it). Cost to go is $4, opening at 10am. Have gone earlier at 8, and it's free.

Sean

Great views and trails, definitely worth the walk!

Tricia Waldron

Amazing views! Walk or drive up..

William Drake

Easy to moderate trails for a quick hike for all ages. Once you make it to the top you have unobstructed views of the Champlain valley. The only downside is that it can be very crowded on a nice day, so finding a quiet spot at the top can be tough.

Christopher Bennett

Had our 60th anniversary there, the lodge was perfect for our needs and the breeze way on the back was a great place for the caterer to set up. Views are spectacular,and the park rangers were very helpful.

Dan Grillo

Great hike with amazing views of Lake Champlain, New York and Southern Vermont at the top. if you're visiting Vermont, you have to do this hike! The hike is not too long but it is a pretty steep grade, so go prepared!

Stuart Floyd

Fantastic little hill to climb through trails or the road that winds up and around. At 1,000 feet it is just a beautiful place to visit, hike, or cook out on top. Great places to sit and view Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks and the valley below. One of hundreds of little parks in Vermont to enjoy. Dogs on leash welcome. Place to picnic and bathrooms on top open seasonal only. Parking at the top and bottom.

Andrew Kim

Not too hard to hike,and nice view

Local Reviews

I love that you can choose to walk up the road or hike/walk through the woods to get to the top. The ambience at the top is surreal; beautiful view, lookout points, picnic tables, benches, restrooms, nooks for enjoying peace & quiet + large spaces for bigger groups.

Kathy Keinath

Perfect hike for our grandkids ages 9 and 7. Beautiful view. Nice area to have a picnic

KAUSEMIC

Beautiful park upkept with integrity

Susan Enos

The hike up and the views never get old!

justbeforedawn July

it's always a great hike up and you can either take the trail or the asphalt trail up. the view is incredible in every direction and plenty of lookouts. they have plenty of picnic areas and a restroom, water fountain and trail guides. there's plenty of fun for the family, it's worth the trip.

moll Bro

Love this hike! Short(ish) but so well maintained. Wish the hikers that bring their dogs would ALL keep them on a leash. Beautiful views that you can drive to the top and see if you're not able to do a hike❤️

Barbara Tenney

Easy hike with great views!

Valerie Suwanseree

A nice hike; not too difficult

Susan Bradanini Betz

I love camping at this small, quiet, tents-only, dog friendly state park. Many day visitors and locals come for daily walks to the summit, but there are only a few campsites. Beautiful views from the overlooks.

Samantha Dickey

Nice easy hike! Good for kids, leaf peeping, and lunch at the top. One of the best views in Vermont without too much hiking.

Robert Fillioe

The ride to the top was a taste of splendor. The majestic scenery at the top was awe inspiring. You won't be disappointed. We can't wait to be able to walk the trails. Thank you for the preservation of this gem! Respectfully Submitted, Bob and Debbie

dylan kelly

great hike and lookout didnt take long

Chris Lins

The hike to the summit is relatively quick but difficult enough that it interests hikers of all skill sets. You can also drive to the top if you'd like to enjoy the view without the sweat. The view from the summit and the various look outs are stunning, and there are a few chairs and picnic tables at the top so you can have a rest or a picnic with a view. It's definitely worth the $4 to get in.

Thomas Ellison

Beautiful views. Easy hike with preschooler, while having some fun areas to explore a cave (Devil’s Chair) or rocky climbs.

Dan Collins

Great views, good exercise, can do in short time, but get reasonable workout.

Clark Schmitt

Great views, and some good hiking trails. But the parking can get crowded, and it does cost money to go.

Stephanie Langlais

Great for beginner hikers!

Andrew Rollins

Great short hike with stellar views of the lake and Adirondacks

Kyle Mastro

Having hiked all over the northeast I can say without question that my philo has arguably the most picture perfect views of any mountain I've hiked. There is a road that goes up to the top but the hike is neither challenging nor long. I would particularly recommend this hike in autumn as the views look like something out of a painting or postcard.

Chamwitch

I went there for sledding and I think it was pretty good. In terms of sledding, I would say that the only issues we're that the path wasn't wide and that there were a lot of people, but that's not really the point. If you actually hike it it's a nice view for an hour long walk.

Leonard Parent

Awesome views and nice trails

Chris Lavallee

It's only about a 30 minute hike, so good to do if you're short on time or you want some outdoor time but are not feeling too ambitious.

Lindsey Almeida

Stunning views, plenty of places to sit and enjoy it.

Jeffrey Riehle

Super awesome place to have BBQs and Picnics, with great views.

Max Hertert

Very nice

scott hendela

Liked it a lot fairly overpriced for a small day hike

Aa Ja

Excellent place hick

Martin Spilker

Great vistas of Lake Champlain Valley below

John Mayo

Great park! Always clean and very welcoming

Liz Corcoran

Amazing views. Went back for a second look they were that impressive!

Andrew Swift

Vermont's oldest state park located in North Ferrisburgh is easy to get to, easy to park and we'll worth the afternoon hike. Not too challenging, and great for a quick getaway to enjoy the fresh Vermont air, see half the state from the peak and generally commune with nature. Highly recommended -- just don't forget the park pass!! *Reviewer's note: Mt. Philo is located less than 5 minutes from Vermont Cookie Live. This is a great place for a snack before or after your hike!!

Aaron Marback

Camping was great and quiet. That is until 2 barred owls had an argument at 4:00am. It is a really beautiful place.

Ryan Titus

Great small hike, nice that there are options for how you want to go up the mountain. Great views of Lake Champlain, the mountains behind it and a nice place to picknick at the top with lots of seating options.

Mugdha Joshi

It was so beautiful and Serene . You can hike up the mountain as well as drive up to the top.

Liam P

Great little hike. Pretty easy for most. About 30 minutes up and another 30 minutes down. Beautiful views with adirondack chairs and picnic tables to hangout at the top.

Allan Cruz

a very family friendly park that is usually busy on warm weather.

Jacob Monteiro Saga Trucking

Everything is very clean and we could have a nice view from the top. They also have a nice road for who is going on the picknic

Daniel Shearer

Great short hike, both paved and trail.

Kathrine Acus

Great spot for beginning hikers. We go regularly with visitors because of the rewarding views. The service road will also cut down on walking for the feeble visitor, but the best views still require some light scrambling, so it wasnt great for my unsteady older parent. This place is a great "bottom rung" for those who are peak-curious. Busy on fall weekends though, and the road does close after seasons'end, I think.

Kyle Ledoux

Great hike up some natural paths, or drive to the top if you can't hike up. Great views await you at the peak. See lake Champlain and the Adirondacks with the farmlands below. Admission is fairly priced considering you get toilets and running water at the peak. Plus, bbq and benches at the top too, if you want to do some topside grilling. Campsites are also available.

John Legelis

A classic quick Vermont hike - great for kids with awesome views from the top.

Eric Robinson

Wonderful place for a hike

Charles Jones

Hike here all the time. Outstanding views from the summit. Bathrooms, picnic tables, and plenty of comfortable Adirondack chairs at the top.

Wayne Wilbur

The views are fantastic from the top of the hill. Well worth the $4 per person admission price to drive on the nice paved road to the top of the mountain and back down to the entrance. Bring your lunch cuz you'll want to stay once you get up there!

Richard Couture

Great place to relax and look at the lake and mountains

Andrew Lawlin

We Hiked up the MT. during sunset and it was amazing!!! I would say the top is not the best view! Go a little down the hiking trail and there is a lookout and you can see more! just a little tip! tho if your hiking up the trail anyhow you can just stop there!

Barry Hulce

Mount Philo offers great views from multiple spots. It's a nice hike with options of road or trails. There are some pretty steep spots.

Tim White

A truly beautiful view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks from the top. Beautifully maintained, but not overdone. You can walk up, but it's a hike, and it's easier if you don't have any arthritis or other problems walking. The staff, as is typical for VT parks, is friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. We loved it so much, we got married up there in 2015! We returned in 2018 to the "scene of the crime."

Patrick DiRico

One if my favorite short hikes. Great viewbwithout chewing up half a day to get it

Zoran Bjelic

Great little hike for all ages and abilities. There is road you can drive up (if it's in season) or you can hike up the trails. At the top, there are Adirondack chairs and picnic tables. Also, there are bbq grills at the top for grilling.

Emmanuel Tejeda

Easy hike up to the top of the mountain. Very good for all ages. Some parts could be a little rough for the kids buts nothing unbearable. Highly recommended it for the views! Lake champlain and the mountains!

Elizabeth Golden

Beautiful views of the Champlain Valley at the summit, but a long, steep walk on pavement to get there. Limited parking. No amenities.

Tanner K

Nice mountain with some decent trails. Good for a short hike on a nice day.

Peter Lewis

Short but challenging hike, great for dogs, and wonderful facility at the summit.

Eric Bokelberg

Short but diverse hike

Chris Palmer

Great view that you can either drive to see or take a nice hike up.

Don Pettit

Great view

Kierstin Kemmerer

Great views! Wonderful staff! Colleen is the best!

Jamie Williams

Beautiful view of the Adirondacks at the summit ! One of the only places that wasn’t entirely covered in snow while we were in VT the last week of February.

Pete Wagner

Great hike.

Pauls Android

A Vermont treasure! Good exercise with superb views at a convenient location. Thank you dog owners for picking up after your pets.

Liana Edwards

You get a great view to the southwest of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks! There are picnic tables and bathrooms at the summit. You can also camp here! There is a trail or a paved road if you want to drive or bike.

Forest Immel

A drop dead beautiful view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. During the summer there is an access road that can be driven up to the top. There are also plenty of hiking trails available and it is a short hike to the top.

Andrew Wagenhofer

Great for kids. Awesome views 2.26 miles round-trip from car door to car door. My 3 year old loved it. I burned 600 calories and got great pics at the top.

Jamie Hull

Cool little trail! Defintely recomend it if you're looking for a scenic place to hike.

Tyler Heffernan

Nice short hike, has a good view at the top, but is more like a hill than a mountain

Corey Gilmore

Short hike, probably about 20-30 minutes. The walk on the roadway is harder due to how steep the road can get. Nice views of the lake and the valley. A bit touristy at times since it is such an easy hike.

VibrantlyDark

Get to the top! The UN obstructed view of the Champlain valley is worth it. Snow, rain or a sunny day this trail is perfect.

Keith Downie

Awesome place for a short hike

Steve Perry

Very nice area

Rowan Beck

One of the best hikes in VT. Accessible to everyone. Spectacular views and overnight camping

Brandon Nutter

Great place for a short hike. Took the pup with me. A little busy and a small parking lot. Also they charge 4$/person.

Aliscia Calliari

Great hiking! Beautiful views!

David Szarkowski

Relaxing time, incredible views!!!

PMdoit

Great hiking with views. You can also drive to the summit to take in the Vista. There is camping available also

Marni Adhikari

Great hike! My 4 year old hasn't stopped taking about it. Amazing views from the top. Fun for the whole family!

Carolyn Harfmann

Long hike up. My Fit bit said it was equivalent of 50 flights of stairs. View was worth it.

Fred Haulenbeek

I hesitated to give this Park a high rating because I don't really want to share it with anybody else.

Amanda Saunders

There is a nice view from the top after you drive up.

Eric R Hill

A great day trip and easy hike for a novice or kids who may not be down for a full-fledged trek.

Christopher Brown

Drive up or Walk up! Stunning views!

joe chef

Wonderful views. Great hiking. Beautiful place!!

Erik Bedwell

Hiked it. Loved the view

ryan livingston

Short easy hike with a fantastic view

Alissa Rogers

Really nice hike. Not too long, beautiful views. Was worth it!

Mandi Chukin

This is a lovely park for an easy day hike to a beautiful vista. Due to its convenient location and low difficulty level, it does get a little crowded, so not a place if you'd rather hike in solitude. But still, it's worth checking out for the views from the top.

Russell Langhans

Great place to hike, bike, walk. Lots of trails to enjoy your viewing pleasure. Plenty of parking at bottom and if you don't like to walk, parking at the top as well. Plenty of picnic areas. Well rounded park for the outdoor enthusiasts.

Ryan Lohrenz

Beautiful and good exercise!

Murat K. Gungor

Perfect place for walking, light climbing for all ages, wonderful view from the peek ...

Kayla Ray

I first came here when I was very little for a wedding one of my dad's friends had at the reception area up top. I am forever inspired to have my own wedding on a mountain now. Went a long time with no visits, but when I broke my leg recently this manageable hike aided my recovery so well, I now take anyone I can convince up when the opportunity arises.

pawan asher

This was the best adventure we had. Hiking was fun

Jim Fitzpatrick

VT first state park. Great for a hike. Gorgeous viewd

Gabriel Tsu

Best sledding hill ever. Much better than any sledding in North Carolina, because snow.

Robert Morrow

Beautiful trails pleasant fellow hikers and lots of nice bogs@

J H

Loved it, took two adventurous hours to hike with our three year old from bottom to top, then back to bottom again. It's great exercise for experianced hikers as well as athletically inclined individuals, and just plain awesome for training young legs in the art of endurance and balance. Amazing views, great grilling and picnic areas, fun camping spots. Very dog friendly, they provide poop bags and for human folk they have clean pooping huts in designated areas. Ample parking. Very clean and well maintained. *Ignore the haters, some things are appreciated for their beauty and quality versus level of extremity. I thank the park association for preserving a beautiful spot of nature, and making it so available to the public so that we can all have the opportunity to enjoy such an incredible spot.*

stephanie young

Great hike and great view! Our dog loved it.

stephen purdum

Great moderate hike! Beautiful views.

Peter van Vliet

Amazing park. Quiet and clean with only 8 or so sites. Spectacular views from the summit. Close enough to Shelburne for groceries. Just a lovely spot. We're here 11 nights. Bring quarters for the shower and DEET. Edit: This is a great hike for a person in moderately good health. The hike from the base is a bit challenging in that it can be steep, but you can also do a shorter, easier hike from the campground to the summit. Either way, the trail is clean with minimal scrambling up rocks. The payoff at the summit is spectacular for such a minimal effort. I should also mention that there are a few private spots at the summit that include picnic benches and charcole grills.

Kenny Dorsey

Great, relatively easy hike! Great views of the lake.

Garfield Tam

Nice hike to the top (if you park at the bottom parking lot, as there is no car access to the top during winter). Great view of Lake Champlain at the top. Great place for a BBQ or a picnic.