Camel's Hump State Park

Located in Duxbury

Camel's Hump State Park

Note: This is an undeveloped state park with no phone or developed visitor facilities.

For more info, contact:

Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recreation
Essex District Office
802-879-6565

Green Mountain Club (GMC): 
802-244-7037

Camel's Hump Map (pdf)

Photo Gallery

A Forest Reserve including the Park and three use districts was established by the legislation:

• An ecological area, for preservation of rare plants and wilderness habitat, is between 2500 feet in elevation and the summit, plus Gleason Brook drainage down to 900 feet. It is studied for the impacts of environmental changes, such as air pollution, on the forest.

• A timber management and wildlife area, from 1800 to 2500 feet in elevation, protects the ecological area, encourages wildlife, and preserves the natural appearance of the region as seen from the outside. Uses include timber production, wildlife management, hunting, hiking, Nordic skiing, and snowmobiling.

• A multiple use area includes the balance of the land in the reserve. Uses are farming, seasonal and permanent homes, and those listed above for the timber management/wildlife area.

Hiking

On the Duxbury side, the Monroe Trail is somewhat challenging, but there's also an accessible loop with its own parking area.  This loop is 8/10 of a mile long, is wide and flat, and has three viewing spots to the summit of Camel's Hump - it's perfect for small kids and elders. 

On the Huntington side, the Burrows Trail is a bit shorter and attracts lots of hikers.  Always a good idea to get there early (8AM) on a good weather weekend day to get parked and on the trail. 

All trails get more rugged as they get closer to the summit.

Weather Forecast for Camel's Hump

Directions:
From the north, south, east, west

N44° 19.228' W72° 53.204'

Parking

There are designated parking areas at trail heads on Camel's Hump Road on both sides of the mountain.  Also, there are parking areas along River Road in Duxbury for the Long Trail. 

Dogs

Dogs are welcome, but please have your dog leashed when you're above tree line.

About the Park:

Waubanaukee Indians first named it "Tah-wak-be-dee-ee-wadso" or Saddle Mountain. Samuel de Champlain's explorers in the 1600's called it "lion couchant" or resting lion. The name "Camel's Rump" was used on a historical map by Ira Allen in 1798, and this became "Camel's Hump" in 1830.

The Park came about as an original gift of 1000 acres including the summit from Colonel Joseph Battell, who originally bought Camel's Hump to preserve the wooded mountainous view from his home. In 1911, care of the mountain was entrusted to the State Forester who managed with the aim to keep it in a primitive state according to Battell's wish.

The State of Vermont eventually adopted a policy of development regulation on all state forest lands to preserve aesthetic values. It fought proposed intrusions by communications towers and ski resorts until the summit's Natural Area was set aside; then special legislation was passed in 1969 to create a Forest Reserve whose state-owned acres (about 20,000 by 1991) form Camel's Hump State Park.

Spring Season

Trails close when snow begins melting and open the weekend before Memorial Day. Even then, if the trails are very wet and muddy it's best to stay off them - use your best judgment. Alternatives until then: Honey Hollow Road in Bolton, forest roads in the Camel's Hump area, or the CCC road at Underhill State Park.

Camping

Primitive camping is allowed only in the lower elevations and away from trails, roads, and water, in accordance with the state primitive camping guidelines. Otherwise, overnight camping is permitted only in Green Mountain Club shelters and lodges, and at Hump Brook Tenting Area. Shelters and lodges are supervised by GMC from May to October with a nominal fee for overnight use. There is a 2-night limit. The shelters are open year-round, and reservations are not accepted. Open fires are permitted only in tent platform fire rings and in designated primitive camping areas. Camping facilities are also available at nearby Little River State Park.