New Discovery State Park Campground in Marshfield supports equestrian camping with specialized facilities for horses. Located within Vermont's 26,000-acre Groton State Forest, the campground sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation and experiences typical Northeast seasonal conditions with warm summers and cold winters. The area contains multiple interconnected trail systems specifically designed to accommodate riders and their horses across varied terrain.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: The campground connects to extensive trail networks throughout Groton State Forest where equestrians can explore diverse terrain. According to visitor Rick S., "Awesome state park. Right along a long rail trail where you can put in many miles and not even know it. Swimming and boating is a short ride in a couple different directions."
Water activities at nearby ponds: Multiple ponds are accessible within short riding distance from New Discovery State Park Campground. A visitor notes, "There are hiking trails right from the campground, which we always appreciate. You can also go down to the water and rent a kayak or canoe from the rangers."
Wildlife observation: The forest areas around camping sites offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. One camper mentioned, "We saw fresh moose poop on a hike but sadly no moose or other wildlife. There are bears around the area though so please be bear smart when camping here."
What campers like
Private, well-separated sites: Campers frequently mention site privacy as a highlight at New Discovery State Park Campground. As one reviewer stated, "The sites are well separated and private. The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest."
Lean-to shelters: The unique shelter options provide alternative accommodations beyond traditional tent sites. According to Laura M., "The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in."
Variety of site options: New Discovery offers diverse camping experiences within one park. Sarah C. noted, "This state park has a little bit of everything... Some sites are in the middle of a grassy field while others are tucked in the trees. Site size various pretty vastly as you travel through the campground."
What you should know
Bathroom and shower facilities: The shower facilities require quarters for operation. Laura M. explains, "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only."
Campground layout and accessibility: The campground features two main loops with varying levels of seclusion. "There are two main loops, one is more secluded and spaced out than the other. The campground loops have bath houses, complete with coin operated showers," reports Sarah C.
Water access challenges: RVers may encounter some difficulties with water hookups. One camper explains, "The spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results. Luckily, we found we could unscrew the head of the hose at the dump station and had no problem filling our tank."
Tips for camping with families
Remote site considerations: When selecting sites around Osmore Pond, consider equipment transportation requirements. Sarah C. advises, "If bringing a full-sized cooler or other large car camping items be sure you are heading to a site closer to the parking area. It would be a challenge to get larger, heavier items to sites across the pond."
Entertainment options: Natural features provide entertainment beyond traditional activities. One visitor observed, "There were squirrels that would spend lots of time throughout the day sending loose the green pine cones and then come down and chew them up. Pretty entertaining except for when they drop them on your tarps."
Reservation planning: For equestrian camping near Craftsbury Common, Vermont, advanced bookings are essential during peak periods. Saige V. from Groton Forest Road Campground suggests, "Reservations are def a plus. Can be difficult to get into on the weekend."
Tips from RVers
Site selection importance: Choose campsites carefully based on size and terrain. Miccal M. observed, "There are two loops of sites, some deep in the woods with great-looking trees, others in a field, and some in between. There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses."
Hookup availability: Electric connections are available at some locations near Craftsbury Common. A reviewer noted that Groton Forest Road Campground offers "electric-hookups" and "fifty-amp-hookups" for RVers requiring power.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity can be intermittent throughout the region. One visitor mentioned, "Not much cell service, but some in places," which is important information for those needing to stay connected.
Legend
