Frontier Town Campground serves as a specialized destination for equestrian camping near Shelburne, Vermont, positioned approximately 75 miles southwest across Lake Champlain. The campground features a network of trails within the Adirondack region at elevations between 1,000-1,500 feet, providing varied terrain for riders. Winter temperatures in this region often drop below freezing from December through March, affecting seasonal camping options.
What to do
Trail riding from campground access points: Multiple trails connect directly from AuSable Chasm Campground to surrounding natural areas. "I wish I had my bike!!! I didn't know that this was a biking campground and there were SO MANY trails. Made the most of them with running, but overall, a fantastic campground," notes Rebecca Y.
Visit nearby water attractions: Several campgrounds offer water access within a short drive. At Branbury State Park Campground, "The day use section has a wonderful beach with a swimming area and boat launch. Large trees provide shade on a grassy lawn, and grills are available," according to Lisa S.
Hiking opportunities: The region features numerous hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. At New Discovery State Park, "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," reports Laura M.
What campers like
Site spacing and privacy: Many campsites provide adequate separation from neighboring sites. At New Discovery State Park Campground, "The sites are well separated and private. The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest," according to Robin B.
Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance varies by location and timing. "The bathrooms and showers were immaculate. The staff does a fantastic job of maintenance," shares Charles K. about Frontier Town, noting that weekday visits often mean cleaner facilities due to lower usage.
Natural surroundings: The forested environment creates a peaceful atmosphere. "Upon arrival, the front desk clerk was very nice and helpful. We found our way to the tent sites, nestled in the very back corner which for us was exactly what we like," writes Levi M. about their AuSable Chasm experience.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: June brings challenging insect activity to many campgrounds in the region. Butch K. reports from Groton Forest Road Campground, "I saw the bugs, some of them clearly mosquitoes and I never saw one get away with biting me. But I ended up with two lower legs and two forearms that constantly itch like mad. I will never go back in June."
Facility limitations: Some campgrounds have limited shower facilities. At New Discovery State Park, "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only," advises Laura M.
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity requires proper food storage. "There are bears in the area, so be aware and store all food properly," warns Lisa S. about camping at Branbury State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for recreational amenities: Some campgrounds offer additional activities for children. At Branbury State Park, "Spacious sites, hiking trails, biking trails, nice beach and grounds. Fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals. There's a nature center with all kinds of information and activities," reports J L.
Consider campsite location relative to facilities: For families with young children, proximity to bathrooms may be important. As Heather M. notes about AuSable Chasm Campground, "The site we had was quite large, I had booked an end site (#73) hoping it would be big! The campground staff was friendly, and worked hard to keep the bathrooms and showers clean."
Check for playground access: Many campgrounds include playground equipment. "Large and nice-looking playground, pool, volleyball net, disc golf and mountain biking/hiking trails," mentions Lee D. about the facilities at AuSable Chasm.
Tips from RVers
Water access considerations: RVers should note water connection limitations. At New Discovery, "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.
Site selection for horse trailers: For those seeking equestrian camping, Chelsea B. explains, "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."
Layout navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have confusing layouts for large rigs. Sheri C. notes about Frontier Town Campground, "Sites are built wrong so it is hard to get you camper into your site correct. It is definitely catered to the equestrian part of the camping."
