New Discovery State Park Campground offers specialized equestrian camping options within Vermont's Groton State Forest, approximately 65 miles southeast of Groveton, New Hampshire. The campground features dedicated sites with horse stalls, allowing riders to comfortably overnight with their horses while exploring the extensive trail system. The campground sits at an elevation of about 1,100 feet, providing cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowland areas.
What to do
Trail riding access: New Discovery State Park connects directly to miles of bridle paths throughout Groton State Forest. "The extensive trail system connecting to New Discovery State Park provides excellent riding opportunities throughout Groton State Forest. A rail trail accessible directly from the campground allows riders to cover significant distances through varied terrain," notes a frequent equestrian camper.
Pond exploration: Several bodies of water provide scenic destinations and water access within riding distance. "Swimming and boating is a short ride in a couple different directions, Osmore pond, Kettle pond, or Ricker pond," writes Rick S. at New Discovery State Park Campground.
Hammock relaxation: The forested sites offer excellent tree coverage for hammock enthusiasts. "We stayed at the Eagle leanto and is perfect for hanging multiple hammocks. Close enough to the bathrooms too," reports Rick S., describing the leisurely campsite atmosphere.
What campers like
Varied site options: The campground offers diverse camping environments to suit different preferences. "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. Site size various pretty vastly as you travel through the campground," explains Sarah C.
Secluded waterfront camping: For those seeking more remote experiences, the park offers water-accessible sites. "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! quiet, serene, beautiful!" reports Sambath T. at Groton Forest Road Campground.
Convenient water access: The proximity to multiple ponds makes this area ideal for water activities. "The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use," notes Reid B., highlighting the recreational amenities.
What you should know
Facility maintenance concerns: Some visitors have reported inconsistent upkeep of bathroom 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," reports Robin B.
Water fill challenges: RVers should note potential difficulties with water connections. "The spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results," explains Laura M. at Hancock Campground, adding, "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."
Site selection importance: Due to significant terrain variation, choosing the right site matters. "Some sites are so sloped I don't even know how a car would camp there," observes Laura M., emphasizing the importance of researching specific sites when making reservations.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest provides chances to observe local 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," cautions Laura M.
Bear safety precautions: Food storage is important for safety. "We appreciated having a bear box on our site, especially since we couldn't keep anything in our car. It was big enough to fit our grill, cooler, trash, and bag of groceries," notes Lindsey M.
Off-season benefits: Consider shoulder season visits for more space and solitude. "We came at the end of October to try to hike Franconia Ridge... and we stumbled upon this campground. We were the only ones in it and we picked the site right next to the rambling river," shares Molly G.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: When equestrian camping, arrive early to secure appropriate sites. "Reservations are recommended, especially for the specialized horse sites which tend to fill quickly during peak season," advises a frequent visitor.
Dump station availability: The campground offers waste disposal facilities. "There is a dump station and drinking water on site," confirms Laura M., providing essential information for self-contained camping units.
Shower facilities: Coin-operated showers are available but require quarters. "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only," notes Laura M., suggesting campers bring appropriate change for these amenities.
Legend
