New Discovery State Park Campground features equestrian sites designed for horse owners approximately 50 miles north of Barnard, Vermont. The campground provides convenient access to Groton State Forest, which encompasses over 26,000 acres of wilderness terrain. Sites are available from Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekend with rates of $28 per night plus state park fees.
What to do
Hiking trails access: New Discovery State Park connects to an extensive network of hiking paths throughout Groton State Forest. "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 Laura M. from New Discovery State Park Campground.
Rail trail exploration: The converted rail trail provides flat, accessible terrain for walking, biking, or horseback riding. "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," shares Rick S. who camped at New Discovery.
Lake and pond activities: Multiple water bodies within the forest offer swimming, fishing, and paddling opportunities. "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. from Branbury State Park Campground.
What campers like
Diverse site options: The campground offers varied camping environments from wooded seclusion to open fields. "There are two loops of sites, some deep in the woods with great-looking trees, others in a field, and some in between. There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses," mentions Miccal M. who visited Groton Forest Road Campground.
Swimming opportunities: The nearby ponds provide refreshing swimming options for hot summer days. "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," reports Lisa S. who enjoyed Branbury State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The forest setting offers opportunities to spot native wildlife including moose. "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," advises Laura M. who stayed at New Discovery State Park.
What you should know
Bear safety precautions: Proper food storage is essential in this area due to bear activity. "Just make sure you put your food and trash away - there are black bears in the area!" warns Nicole E. from Tippicanoe Campground.
Water availability challenges: Limited access to threaded water spigots can create difficulties for RV owners. "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," explains Laura M.
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facility cleanliness may fluctuate throughout the season. "The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced. More upsetting was that the soap container was empty all weekend. At a time like this hand washing is more important than ever!" reported Robin B. who camped at New Discovery State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Reserve early for lean-tos: The covered shelters are popular choices for families with young children. "Book early if you want to get a site with a lean-to! The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in," advises Nicole E. from NV Farms Outfitters and Cabins.
Beach amenities: Families appreciate the developed beach areas with additional activities. "Spacious sites, hiking trails, biking trails, nice beach and grounds. Fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals. Theres a nature center with all kinds of information and activities. A large playground," describes J L. who visited Branbury State Park.
Coin-operated showers: Prepare quarters for shower facilities if staying multiple days. "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only," notes Laura M. about the facilities at New Discovery State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Not all sites accommodate larger vehicles due to terrain variations. "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," observes Laura M. who stayed at New Discovery State Park Campground.
Dump station access: The campground provides dump station facilities for waste disposal before departure. "There is a dump station and drinking water on site," confirms Laura M.
Seasonal considerations: Campground availability is limited to warmer months. "My girlfriend and I visited last year for a nice getaway and absolutely loved the park. The spots were spacious with enough privacy between sites," shares Reid B. from Groton Forest Road Campground.
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