On July 7, 1776, three days after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, plans were made for a defensive fort and batteries on a hill in Vermont that overlooked Fort Ticonderoga, the old French fort, now occupied by patriots. These two forts on opposites sides of Lake Champlain protected the United States from British troop coming south from Canada. The Americans held both forts for a year before being forced to withdraw after the British mounted cannons on high ground in New York threatening both forts which were short on troops. The forts didn't see much action for the rest of the war and were abandoned in 1781 after the British surrendered in Yorktown.
The site has a small museum, a short film, and six miles of trails.
Park close to the museum to avoid the steep path from the main parking lot to the entrance. The museum is accessible. The hard packed dirt and gravel Baldwin Trail is accessible with assistance. It's meant to be followed clockwise and starts with a steep uphill. It continues to go gradually uphill and then starts down with switch backs and one narrow section. The view from the first overlook is difficult to access due to roots. We did not go to the second overlook. The other trails are not accessible.
The parking lot is small but any RV will fit if parked along the grassy edge. Mount Independence 43.8179, -73.38485
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