Mt. Independence State Historic Site

Description

Explore acres of fields, woodlands, and the remains of this Revolutionary War fortification.

Tickets are required for the trails and grounds. Purchase your trail ticket and obtain a trail map at the on-site Museum. Historic locations are marked on the trail map handout. All trails start at the trailhead kiosk near the museum. Trails are of varying distance and difficulty. Review the trail map carefully before starting and check it often as you walk. Watch for directional signs or colored trail markers for the Blue and Orange trails.  Wear proper shoes and clothing. Carry water with you.  

Baldwin Trail (1.6 miles):  The Baldwin Trail, with its two spur trails, covers the southern half of the Mount. It is a wide trail with compacted surfaces and gentle grades and no stairs, and is suitable for outdoor wheelchairs. The trail features interpretive and directional signage, views of Lake Champlain, Fort Ticonderoga, and Mount Defiance, and winds through the locations of two brigade encampments and past the foundations of the General Hospital, two soldier huts, two blockhouses, a storehouse, the southern battery defenses, and a probable powder magazine. Sign and site locations are marked on the trail map handout.   

Southern Defenses Trail (0.2 miles): This loop trail begins near the parking lot and has compacted surfaces, stairs, and stone steps.  It goes past the remains of a blockhouse and provides a look at rugged rock formations and southern Lake Champlain.  A short spur trail leads to the dock for the M/V Carillon tour boat.  

Orange Trail (2.5 miles, off Baldwin Trail): This moderate hiking trail branches off from the Baldwin trail and travels up to the star barracks and then to the masting point before looping back to the Baldwin Trail. It passes a series of historic locations including the crane foundation, artificers shops area, the horseshoe battery, the shore batter, a bridge site and an observation shelter. 

Blue Trail (2.2 miles, off Baldwin Trail or near north end of Orange Trail): This difficult hiking trail roughly follows a Revolutionary War supply road (you can see some of the original stonework for the road) between the Hospital and the bridge. It passes by other historic areas including the forge area, quarry, garden and crane ramp. 

Other Information

Site Rules:

• Respect our history. Take only photographs.
• Help keep Mount Independence one of America’s least disturbed Revolutionary War sites. Digging, collecting any materials, and/or use of metal detectors is strictly forbidden. Violators will be prosecuted. Do not pick up any artifacts. If you see something, please inform the staff in the museum and provide location information.   
• Stay on the trails and follow the directional signs or colored trail markers along the way.
• Bring back picnic and other materials you take with you. 
• All pets must be on leashes. 
• Do not pick or dig up any plant materials. 
• The following are not allowed: overnight parking, camping, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and bicycles or other wheeled vehicles with the exception of wheelchairs and mobility devices.

Trail Manager

Visit VT Division for Historic Preservation online for more information or contact:

VT Division for Historic Preservation
8149 VT Route 17W
Addison, VT 05491
Phone: (802) 759-2412
elsa.gilbertson@vermont.gov
View website