New Discovery State Park accommodates equestrians with several site options beyond the standard horse stalls mentioned in other guides. Located in Marshfield, approximately 42 miles from Warren, this campground connects to multiple trail systems suitable for riders of all experience levels. Camping spots around Osmore Pond provide a more secluded alternative to the main campground area, with direct water access for horses.
What to do
Trail riding on the rail trail: The converted rail trail near New Discovery State Park Campground offers miles of relatively flat terrain suitable for horses of various experience levels. One camper notes, "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."
Mountain biking through forest terrain: The extensive trail system connects multiple recreation areas. Riders at Frontier Town Campground appreciate the well-maintained paths, with one visitor commenting, "The trails are well marked and well maintained. Overall, this is a fantastic campsite."
Swimming access points: Multiple ponds provide swimming opportunities within short riding distance. A visitor to New Discovery State Park mentions, "You can also go down to the water and rent a kayak or canoe from the rangers. Camp fees are $28/night, plus $5/day per adult for state park fees."
What campers like
Private pond-side sites: Some of the most secluded equestrian camping spots require boat access. One camper at New Discovery State Park shares, "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! quiet, serene, beautiful! can't wait to go back!"
Spacious equestrian campsites: The dedicated horse camping areas provide ample room for equipment. A visitor notes, "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."
Clean facilities despite heavy use: The bath houses serve each camping loop, though some maintenance issues occur during peak periods. One camper reported, "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only. The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many sites have significant slope differences, particularly important when camping with horse trailers. According to a Branbury State Park visitor, "I couldn't believe how large the lots were. While they arent super far from one another, they are large enough that they seem further than they are."
Quarters required for showers: Bring sufficient quarters for the coin-operated showers, as there's no change machine on site. The shower duration averages 8 minutes per dollar.
Limited water hookups: RVers should note that water spigots are not threaded for direct connections. One camper shares their solution: "We found we could unscrew the head of the hose at the dump station and had no problem filling our tank with potable water."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest habitat supports diverse wildlife including moose and bears. A visitor mentions, "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."
Kid-friendly amenities: Groton Forest Road Campground near the equestrian sites offers additional family activities. A visitor reports, "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."
Book remote sites strategically: When camping with children at the remote pond-side sites, consider the walking distance from parking. A camper advises, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: AuSable Chasm Campground, while not specifically for equestrian use, demonstrates the importance of accurate rig size reporting. One RVer explains, "We travel in a 17-foot camper van, but no one ever believes that we are no bigger than a standard cargo van. Upon arrival, we were told we had to take a site with water and electric since we had a camper van."
Unusual site layouts for trailers: Horse trailers require specific parking arrangements at some campgrounds. A camper at Frontier Town notes, "Sites are built wrong so it is hard to get your camper into your site correct. It is definitely catered to the equestrian part of the camping."
Seasonal considerations for equestrian camping: The equestrian camping season runs from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, with reservations strongly recommended for weekend stays when sites frequently reach capacity.
Ranger
