New Discovery State Park Campground provides specialized equestrian facilities within Vermont's 26,000-acre Groton State Forest. The campground operates seasonally from late May through mid-October, with horse-friendly sites featuring dedicated stalls for overnight equestrian camping near Beebe Plain, Vermont. Trail access connects directly to over 25 miles of riding paths through diverse northern hardwood forest terrain.
What to do
Trail riding access: Horseback riders can access extensive trail networks directly from New Discovery State Park. "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 campground connects to a converted rail trail suitable for long-distance 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., highlighting the variety of water access points from the trails.
Wildlife observation: Morning rides offer opportunities to spot 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," advises Laura M., emphasizing the importance of proper food storage during equestrian camping trips.
What campers like
Site privacy: New Discovery offers well-separated camping areas with varying levels of seclusion. "The sites are well separated and private. The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest," shares Robin B., who appreciated the campground layout despite some facility maintenance issues.
Water access options: Multiple ponds provide swimming and boating opportunities within the state forest. "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! Quiet, serene, beautiful!" enthuses Sambath T. about Groton Forest Road Campground.
Diverse site options: The campground offers a range of site styles to match different preferences. "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," notes Miccal M. from his drive-through reconnaissance.
What you should know
Water access challenges: RVers should note water spigot limitations 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," explains Laura M.
Facility maintenance concerns: Bathroom facilities may experience occasional supply issues. "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., indicating possible maintenance inconsistencies.
Lean-to accommodations: Alternative sleeping arrangements are available beyond traditional tent and RV sites. "The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in," mentions Laura M., who also noted the campground's compost bins and book exchange library.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife entertainment: Natural forest inhabitants provide unexpected amusement. "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," shares Rick S. about his stay at New Discovery State Park.
Shower facilities: Prepare quarters for shower use if staying multiple days. "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only," advises Laura M., providing specific cost information families should budget for.
Site selection factors: Consider specific site locations when booking for families. "Site size various pretty vastly as you travel through the campground. There are two main loops, one is more secluded and spaced out than the other," explains Sarah C., helping families select appropriate camping locations.
Tips from RVers
Campsite variations: RV sites differ significantly throughout the campground. "Some sites are so sloped I don't even know how a car would camp there. Some sites are out in the open grass where you just find a spot within the site that works for you," notes Laura M., advising careful site selection for RVs.
Reservation planning: Book early for weekend stays, especially during peak season. "Reservations are def a plus. Can be difficult to get into on the weekend," advises Saige V. about Groton Forest Road Campground, which is located near the equestrian-friendly New Discovery State Park.
