Camel's Hump

Camel’s Hump is the most distinctive and beloved peak on the Vermont skyline — a striking double-humped summit rising to 4,083 feet in the heart of the Green Mountains, its profile so iconic it appears on the Vermont state quarter. Unlike Vermont’s other high peaks, it has no ski area or road to the top, remaining a wild, undeveloped mountain.

The bare, rocky summit holds one of Vermont’s few patches of rare arctic-alpine tundra and offers sweeping 360-degree views across the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks and the White Mountains. Crossed by the Long Trail and protected within Camel’s Hump State Park and a forest reserve, it is a premier hiking destination reached only on foot. Wild, iconic and alpine-crowned, Camel’s Hump is a treasured natural icon of Vermont.

Camel’s Hump is a premier hiking destination, reached only on foot by trails such as the Burrows and Monroe trails from the west and the Long Trail along the ridge, climbing through forest to the bare, rocky alpine summit and its sweeping views — a strenuous but classic Vermont day hike. The surrounding state park and forest reserve offer more hiking and backcountry skiing. Climbing to the iconic alpine summit for the panorama is the signature draw. The combination of Vermont’s most distinctive peak, its wild undeveloped character and its rare alpine summit makes Camel’s Hump a beloved hike.

Summer and fall are prime for hiking, when the trails are clear and the views sweeping — fall brings spectacular Vermont foliage across the Green Mountains seen from the summit (a popular time). The exposed alpine summit can see harsh weather any time. Winter offers a serious snow climb for the prepared. Clear days give the famous four-state views. Summer and especially fall (for the foliage) are the highlights — come on a clear day, start early, carry layers for the changeable mountain weather, and step only on rock on the fragile alpine summit.

Camel’s Hump and the Green Mountains are part of the homeland of the Abenaki people. The distinctive peak (early called the ‘Couching Lion’) became a landmark and a destination, once topped by a summit hotel in the 1800s (long gone). The mountain was protected early as a wild, undeveloped peak — donated and conserved as Camel’s Hump State Park and a forest reserve to keep it roadless — and the Long Trail crosses its summit. Camel’s Hump preserves Vermont’s most iconic wild peak and its rare alpine tundra, a treasured icon of the state.

Camel’s Hump is built of ancient metamorphic rock (greenstone and schist) folded and uplifted during the building of the Appalachian Mountains hundreds of millions of years ago, then deeply eroded into its distinctive form, and finally sculpted by the Ice Age glaciers, which scoured and rounded the summit and gave it its double-humped profile and bare alpine top. The resistant rock left it standing high. The ancient uplifted rock, the long erosion and the glacial sculpting created Camel’s Hump’s iconic shape and its alpine crest.

Camel’s Hump’s slopes range from northern hardwood and spruce-fir forest, home to moose, black bears, deer and boreal birds (including Bicknell’s thrush in the high spruce-fir), up to the alpine summit with its specialized life, while ravens and raptors ride the winds. The fragile alpine tundra harbors rare arctic-alpine plants. The range from forest to alpine supports varied wildlife. Camel’s Hump offers wildlife watching and birding across its life zones, with the rare alpine zone and the high-elevation birds of particular interest amid the wild scenery.

Camel’s Hump protects one of Vermont’s few patches of rare arctic-alpine tundra on its bare summit — a fragile Ice Age relic of hardy arctic plants surviving the harsh weather, found on only a handful of Vermont peaks — above spruce-fir and northern-hardwood forests, kept wild and roadless within the state park and forest reserve. The alpine zone is extremely sensitive to trampling and climate change, and is carefully protected with summit caretakers. Protecting the fragile alpine tundra, the forests and the wildlife sustains both the ecology and the wild grandeur of Camel’s Hump.

Camel’s Hump holds a treasured place among the icons of Vermont — the most distinctive and beloved peak on the state’s skyline, its double-humped profile appearing on the Vermont state quarter, a wild undeveloped mountain crowned by rare alpine tundra and crossed by the historic Long Trail. On the homeland of the Abenaki people, it embodies the wild, unspoiled Green Mountains. Camel’s Hump is a cherished natural icon of Vermont.

Camel’s Hump is in the Green Mountains of north-central Vermont, within Camel’s Hump State Park, reached by hiking trails from trailheads near Huntington (the Burrows and Forest City trails on the west) and Duxbury/Waterbury (the Monroe and Long trails on the east), roughly 40 minutes from Burlington or Montpelier. There is no road or fee to the summit (it is roadless by design); trailhead parking is free but fills on busy days. The hike is strenuous with no services. Check Vermont State Parks and Forests, Parks & Recreation for trail info and conditions before hiking.

Vermont Forests, Parks & Recreation and the Green Mountain Club protect Camel’s Hump’s wild character and rare alpine zone. Visitors help by staying on trails and stepping only on rock (never on the fragile alpine plants) on the summit, heeding the volunteer summit caretakers, packing out everything, respecting wildlife, keeping the mountain roadless and wild, and following all rules. The rare alpine tundra is extremely fragile. Protecting the alpine plants, the forests and the wild character sustains both the ecology and the grandeur of Camel’s Hump.

Camel’s Hump is a strenuous climb with a long, steep, rocky ascent and an exposed alpine summit where weather changes fast (wind, cold, fog and storms even in summer) — start early, carry layers, water, food and the essentials, and be ready to turn back. The trails are rugged and can be muddy or icy; watch footing. In winter it’s a serious snow climb requiring traction and experience. Step only on rock to protect the alpine plants. Respect the strenuous terrain, the exposed summit, the mountain weather and the fragile alpine zone.

There is no fee (the mountain is roadless by design); trailhead parking is free. Stay on trails and on rock above treeline to protect the fragile alpine plants. Camp only at designated sites/shelters (Long Trail rules); no camping on the summit. Dogs must be leashed/controlled and kept off the alpine plants. Drones are restricted. No fires except where permitted. Pack out all trash; follow Leave No Trace. Heed the summit caretakers and weather. Check Vermont Forests, Parks & Recreation for trail info and rules before hiking.

The towns of Huntington, Waterbury and Richmond, the city of Burlington and Lake Champlain to the west, Montpelier (the state capital) to the east, the Green Mountains and the Long Trail, and Stowe and Mount Mansfield to the north lie near the mountain. The Green Mountains define the region. Camel’s Hump is the iconic wild peak of the central Green Mountains, a centerpiece of a Vermont hiking adventure, easily combined with Burlington, the Long Trail, and Stowe/Mount Mansfield to the north.

Climb Camel’s Hump on a clear summer or fall day — the Burrows Trail from Huntington or the Monroe Trail from the east are popular routes to the iconic alpine summit (a strenuous day hike; there’s no road or shortcut). Start early for parking and to beat afternoon weather, carry layers, water and food, and wear sturdy shoes for the rugged, often-muddy trail. Step only on rock on the fragile alpine summit (heed the caretakers), savor the four-state views, and combine your visit with the Long Trail and nearby Stowe.