We Did the Research, This Is Officially the Most Bizarre Hiking Trail Name in Vermont

Vermont is one of my favorite places to spend a day outdoors. With over 900 hiking trails within the Green Mountain State, you never have to drive far to take a scenic walk in the woods. While many popular trails are named for notable Vermonsters and unique natural features, others have quite uncommon names. For instance, there is the eerily named Devil’s Hill Trail in Peacham and the mysterious Snake Mountain trails near Addison. But perhaps there is no trail with a name quite as strange as Camel’s Hump. I wanted to learn more about the origin of this obscure trail name, and this is what I discovered.

The Camel’s Hump Trail shares its name with the Camel’s Hump Mountain and Camel’s Hump State Park in which it is located. At a height of 4,083 feet, the mountain is the third tallest in the state. In 1968, it was designated as a Registered National Landmark.

While Vermont is known for its cows and other livestock, camels are obviously not native to the region (although a pet camel named Oliver once lived along Route 7). So, how did the mountain get its name?  Camel’s Hump refers to the pecular shape of the mountain which was formed by glaciers. If you look closely, you can see not just one, but but two camel’s humps.

The mountain was not always referred to by this name, but interestingly enough, it has paid homage to different wild animals over the years. Originally named Ta wak be dee eeso Wadso by the Abenakis people, the mountain was later renamed “Le Lion Couchant,” which means “resting lion,”  by French explorer Samuel de Champlain. By 1798, Vermont founder, Ira Allen called it "Camel's Rump" which eventually morphed into "Camel's Hump."

Whatever you call this scenic area, it is certainly a sight to behold. The mountain is one of the most popular places to hike in Vermont. The area is so closely cherished that the peaks of Camel's Hump are even featured on the back of the Vermont state quarter. 

There are tons of wonderful trails within Camel’s Hump State Park, but one of the most popular hikes is the Camel’s Hump Trail/Camel's Hump via Monroe Trail, a six-mile out-and-back hike that takes approximately four-and-a-half hours to complete. Please be advised that this is a challenging route, so plan accordingly, and be sure to download a trail map on AllTrails+ to help guide you in the right direction.

The trail has a gradual incline which eventually leads to a peak of 2,588 feet. Along the way, you will encounter rock scrambles, a few steep hills, and lots of wooded scenery. If you make it to the summit, you will be met with some spectacular views of distant mountain ranges.

And there are lots of other great hikes to explore within the park. While many of these are more difficult hikes, there is an easy loop called the Camel's Hump View Trail where you can walk a gravel path and still get an amazing view of the mountain. I think this one might be more my speed.

A few things to note before you head out: Camel’s Hump State Park is a free-entry park. Please be aware that there are no visitor facilities. The park is open year-round and allows leashed dogs on the property.

Have you ever hiked Camel’s Hump? How does it rate in your book? For more information on this local outdoor attraction, please visit the Camel's Hump State Park website. For more amazing Vermont hikes, check out these top-rated trails. And if you are looking for another hiking trail with an unusual name, you need to read all about the Wampahoofus Trail at Mt. Mansfield.