New Discovery State Park Campground in Marshfield, Vermont provides equestrian campers with specialized facilities including horse stalls at select sites. Located in the Groton State Forest region, approximately 30 miles from Lowell, these campsites sit at elevations between 1,100 and 1,300 feet, creating moderate temperature fluctuations between day and night even during summer months. The area receives approximately 43 inches of rainfall annually, contributing to the lush forest environment surrounding the campground.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Horse camping near Lowell, Vermont offers extensive trail networks directly accessible from New Discovery State Park Campground. "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," notes Laura M.
Wildlife observation: The forest areas surrounding the campgrounds provide habitat for diverse wildlife. "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," advises Laura M.
Water activities: Multiple ponds near the campgrounds offer swimming and boating options. "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," explains Rick S.
What campers like
Private, secluded sites: Many campers appreciate the layout and spacing of sites at Groton Forest Road Campground. "The spots were spacious with enough privacy between sites. The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use," reports Reid B.
Diverse site options: Campgrounds in the area offer varied camping experiences based on location preference. "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," explains Sarah C.
Natural features: The natural setting creates a peaceful atmosphere. "We stayed at the Eagle leanto and is perfect for hanging multiple hammocks. Close enough to the bathrooms too. 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," shares Rick S.
What you should know
Facility maintenance considerations: Amenities can sometimes experience maintenance issues. "My complaint is in regards to the maintenance of the facilities. The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced. More upsetting was that the soap container was empty all weekend," notes Robin B. about New Discovery State Park.
Water access limitations: RV campers should be aware of water hookup constraints. "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 with potable water," advises Laura M.
Reservation requirements: Securing a site can be challenging without advance planning, especially for equestrian sites. "Reservations are def a plus. Can be difficult to get into on the weekend," warns Saige V. about Groton Forest Road Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Remote site selection: When choosing walk-in sites with children, consider distance and equipment. "If bringing a full-sized cooler or other large/luxury car camping items be sure you are heading to a site closer to the parking area. It would be a challenge to get some of those larger, heavier items to sites across the pond from the parking lot," advises Sarah C.
Lean-to options: Families might enjoy the alternative to traditional tent camping. "The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in," shares Laura M. about New Discovery State Park's structures.
Recreational amenities: Plan for activities children will enjoy. "My girlfriend and I visited last year for a nice getaway and absolutely loved the park. The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use," mentions Reid B. about Groton Forest Road Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for RVs: Not all sites accommodate larger vehicles equally. "Each site is so different and may or may not fit an RV. Some sites are so sloped I don't even know how a car would camp there," cautions Laura M. about New Discovery State Park.
Utility connections: Plan for limitations in hookups at equestrian campgrounds near Lowell. "This easy-to-access campground has made it on my list of places to stay. 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," notes Miccal M. about New Discovery State Park Campground.
Cell service: Connectivity is limited throughout the region. "Not much cell service, but some in places," reports Miccal M., which requires advance planning for those needing to stay connected.
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