New Discovery State Park Campground offers specialized equestrian facilities within Vermont's 26,000-acre Groton State Forest. Situated at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, the area experiences cooler temperatures than surrounding regions, with summer highs typically in the 70s. The campground's unique equestrian sites include horse stalls that accommodate riders looking to explore the forest's extensive trail network.
What to do
Rail trail exploration: Access the former railroad bed trail directly from New Discovery State Park Campground for flat, easy riding suitable for all experience levels. "Awesome state park. Right along a long rail trail where you can put in many miles and not even know it," notes Rick S., who appreciates the convenience.
Paddle nearby ponds: Multiple water bodies within short distance provide varied paddling experiences. "Swimming and boating is a short ride in a couple different directions, Osmore pond, Kettle pond, or Ricker pond," shares a visitor who enjoyed water activities during their stay.
Wildlife observation: The forest hosts diverse wildlife including moose, bears, and smaller mammals. "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.
What campers like
Private, secluded sites: The campground layout provides good separation between sites, offering privacy. "The sites are well separated and private. The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest," confirms Robin B.
Diverse site options: Groton Forest Road Campground offers varied camping experiences within the same area. "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," Reid B. explains.
Lean-to shelters: Unique accommodations provide alternative camping options beyond standard tent sites. "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., highlighting these distinctive structures.
What you should know
Water access limitations: RV campers should note water spigot restrictions at New Discovery. "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.
Site variability: Some sites may present challenges for certain camping setups. "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," cautions a camper who carefully selected their spot.
Facility maintenance concerns: Bathroom facilities may experience inconsistent upkeep 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.
Tips for camping with families
Remote shelter considerations: New Discovery State Park Campground offers unique walk-in shelters that require planning for families with gear. "The shelters are rustic, have shared outhouses between a few sites, fire pits and small picnic tables... If bringing a full-sized cooler be sure you are heading to a site closer to the parking area," advises Sarah C.
Entertainment options: Natural features provide simple entertainment for children. "There were squirrels that would spend lots of time throughout the day sending loose the green pine cones and then come down and chew them up. Pretty entertaining except for when they drop them on your tarps," mentions Rick S.
Amenities for kids: The campground includes thoughtful details children enjoy. "There's also a book exchange library and adorable little gnome habitats set up in the campground," notes Laura M., highlighting features that enhance family camping experiences.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs equally. "There are two loops of sites, some deep in the woods with great-looking trees, others in a field, and some in between," observes Miccal M., who recommends inspecting sites carefully.
Hookup availability: For equestrian camping near Barton, Vermont with full hookups, choose sites accordingly. "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," Sarah C. points out regarding the varying amenities.
Shower facilities: Pay showers require quarters for operation. "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only," mentions Laura M., advising campers to bring appropriate change for facilities.
Legend
