New Discovery State Park Campground accommodates equestrians with dedicated horse facilities approximately 30 miles from Woodsville, New Hampshire. The campground operates within Groton State Forest's extensive trail network, connecting riders to multiple ponds and rail trails. Winter access is limited as the campground closes after Columbus Day weekend and reopens for Memorial Day weekend. Visitors should note that daily park fees apply in addition to camping fees.
What to do
Trail riding connections: Equestrians can access miles of interconnected trails directly 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 visitor Laura M. The rail trail system offers relatively flat terrain for less strenuous riding.
Pond exploration: Multiple water bodies surround the campground within short riding distances. "Swimming and boating is a short ride in a couple different directions, Osmore pond, Kettle pond, or Ricker pond," shares Rick S. These ponds provide natural water sources and scenic destinations for day rides with horses.
Winter camping: For cold-weather enthusiasts, Hancock Campground offers year-round access. "Stayed here for two nights in late December. Site #40 along the river was close to the bathroom yet had plenty of privacy from other sites," reports Heather B. The campground remains accessible during winter months when many other facilities close.
What campers like
Riverfront sites: Water access remains a top feature for campers near Woodsville. "This campground is great! I recommend getting a site in the river side away from the street. Absolutely beautiful!" writes Lisa S. about Hancock Campground. Riverside sites provide ambient sounds and recreation opportunities.
Site privacy: The layout at New Discovery provides good separation between campers. "The sites are well separated and private. The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest," explains Robin B. This privacy factor becomes particularly important during busy equestrian weekends.
Lean-to options: Covered shelters offer an 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. These structures provide additional protection from weather while maintaining an outdoor experience.
What you should know
Bathroom maintenance concerns: Facility upkeep can be inconsistent during busy periods. "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. about New Discovery State Park.
Water access challenges: RV users should note potential water connection issues. "The spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results," explains Laura M. Alternative filling options exist at the dump station where hose fittings can be modified.
Insect populations: Seasonal bee activity impacts some areas. "Our site was completely swarmed with bees. We checked a few vacant sites to see if maybe it was just our site, but we found them all around," warns Lindsey M. about riverside locations at Hancock Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Remote shelter considerations: For those with children, evaluate walk-in site distances carefully. "The walk from the parking area to the shelters varies, depending what side of the pond you are camping on. If bringing a full-sized cooler be sure you are heading to a site closer to the parking area," advises Sarah C. about Groton Forest Road Campground.
Swimming amenities: Supervised water recreation enhances family trips. "The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use," notes Reid B. These floating platforms provide additional entertainment options for children.
Bear safety requirements: Proper food storage remains essential with families. "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," explains Lindsey M. about wildlife precautions.
Tips from RVers
Seasonal site selection: Year-round RV campers should carefully research availability. "Reservations are def a plus. Can be difficult to get into on the weekend," advises Saige V. about Groton Forest Road Campground. For equestrian camping near Woodsville, advance planning becomes essential during summer months.
Site variability: RV site conditions differ significantly throughout campgrounds. "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," warns Laura M. about terrain challenges at New Discovery.
Alternative highway options: For larger rigs, consider using campgrounds along the Kancamagus Highway. "Hancock Campground is one of 6 national forest campgrounds along the Kancamagus Highway. Campsites can't be reserved and the campground does fill up on the weekends," shares Tara S.
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