New Discovery State Park

Located in Peacham

New Discovery State Park
4239 VT RT 232
Marshfield, Vermont 05658

Park Phone: 802-426-3042

Season: Memorial Day Weekend -
Labor Day Weekend, except for horse camping through Columbus Day weekend

New Discovery State Park Interactive Campground Map & Guide (pdf)

Photo Gallery

Groton Forest Trail Guide (pdf)

Groton Forest History Guide (pdf)

Groton Nature Trail Guide (pdf)

CCC Sites in Groton State Forest (pdf)

Cross Vermont Trail

Remote Camping in Groton State Forest Map & Guide (pdf)

Read more about recreational opportunities in Groton State Forest

Directions:
From Groton: Go 2 mi. W on U.S. 302, then 9-1/2 mi. NW on VT 232

N44° 18.943' W72° 17.452'    Directions/Map

About the Park:

Welcome to New Discovery State Park. As early as 1704, Native Americans and the French were using routes through Groton to reach Canada and Massachusetts. Colonists settled this area of Vermont slightly earlier than the rest of the State through the accessible network of waterways.

The rocky, tree covered hillsides were originally cloaked with white pine, spruce, hemlock, beech, maple and birch. These were logged by local farmers for lumber, fuel and potash. The logging industry was large-scale for almost 100 years while the railroad was operating. Today, logging is still a vital industry in the area, but has lost some of its dominance in favor of modern society’s leisure time movement - private cottages/seasonal homes and a variety of outdoor recreation activities.

Horse Camping
There is a seven site horse camping area
located in New Discovery State Park. The group camping area features a hitching post, water spigot and trough for watering horses. Just up the roadway, and past the toilet/shower area, is a horse washing station. Other pets are allowed
at designated camp sites. There is a play area and miles of hiking on multiple use trails.

Groton Forest is the second largest state
forest in Vermont with over 26,000 acres to
explore. Trails for horseback riding in the park
include gravel-surfaced roads, forest highways (logging roads), the VAST trails, and the Montpelier-Wells River Rail Trail. Horseback riders wishing to ride for the day can trailer their horses to the northern parking area near the entrance to New Discovery State Park, the Kettle Pond day use parking area, or at the public boat launch at the southern end of Ricker Pond. Riders can easily access the Montpelier- Wells River Rail Trail (Cross Vermont Trail) and forest and town roads from these locations.