New Discovery State Park Campground serves as one of the premier horse campgrounds near Jonesville, Vermont. Located in Marshfield at an elevation of 1,475 feet, the campground sits within the 26,000-acre Groton State Forest. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F, with cooler nights even during peak season. The campground connects to a network of over 25 miles of multi-use trails that accommodate equestrian users.
What to do
Explore the rail trail network: New Discovery State Park provides access to an extensive rail trail system through Groton State Forest. As one camper notes, "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, Osmore pond, Kettle pond, or Ricker pond."
Visit multiple water features: Within Groton State Forest, campers can access several ponds for swimming and boating. According to a visitor at Branbury State Park Campground: "Spacious sites, hiking trails, biking trails, nice beach and grounds. Fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals. Theres a nature center with all kinds of information and activities."
Go horseback riding: Equestrian facilities make this area ideal for those traveling with horses. A recent visitor to Frontier Town Campground noted, "We stayed in site 33 which is in the equestrian camping area. It's really open with little tree cover which is perfect for those who work remote using Starlink. We had fantastic connection. The sites in the equestrian camping area are huge and so clean."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campsites offer good separation from neighbors. A visitor at New Discovery mentioned, "The sites are well separated and private. The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest."
Access to multiple recreation areas: The central location provides easy access to various outdoor activities. One camper at AuSable Chasm Campground explained, "The camp ground is a short drive to Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, Vermont State and so much more. The Chasm has their own store and cafe."
Variety of site options: Sites range from wooded to open field settings. A visitor at New Discovery observed, "This state park has a little bit of everything. There are sites with electric hookups as well as some without. Some sites are in the middle of a grassy field while others are tucked in the trees."
What you should know
Bathroom maintenance varies: Some visitors report inconsistent bathroom upkeep. As one camper at New Discovery noted, "The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced. More upsetting was that the soap container was empty all weekend. At a time like this hand washing is more important than ever!"
Water access for RVs can be challenging: The water spigots have specific limitations. According to a review, "There is a dump station and drinking water on site, but the spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results."
Bear awareness is essential: The area has active wildlife including bears. A visitor at Groton Forest Road Campground advised, "Great for Campers and tenters. Good fishing and plenty of hiking," but multiple campgrounds in the region maintain strict food storage policies to prevent wildlife encounters.
Tips for camping with families
Check out the special facilities: Many campgrounds offer family-friendly amenities. At Branbury State Park, a camper reported, "A large playground. Volleyball and horseshoe pits. Definitely will be returning! Also, bathrooms were always clean and well maintained. Park staff very friendly!"
Consider lean-to sites: These structures provide additional shelter options for families. A reviewer at New Discovery shared, "The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in."
Look for sites with natural play features: Some sites include natural elements kids enjoy. A camper at Branbury mentioned, "We stayed in a wooded area surrounded by large rocks my daughter could climb on. The beach was nearby and included in the stay with horseshoes and a playground."
Tips from RVers
Verify site size and slope before booking: RV sites vary significantly in size and levelness. A recent visitor to Frontier Town Campground observed, "I was in site 43, it was long enough it could have fit two of the biggest RVs I have ever seen. My 75 foot starling cable did not even reach all the way back out to the road."
Bring water connectors: The water facilities might require adaptations. A camper noted, "Luckily, we found we could unscrew the head of the hose at the dump station and had no problem filling our tank with potable water."
Plan supply runs before arrival: Local stores are limited in the immediate area. According to a reviewer, "Get your supplies before you arrive! Not many places around to quickly grab charcoal if you need it."
Ranger
