New Discovery State Park Campground offers extensive horseback riding opportunities on the trails of Groton State Forest. Equestrian campers find dedicated facilities including horse stalls at select sites within the campground's two loops. The park sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom region, with seasonal temperatures ranging from summer highs around 80°F to below freezing in early spring and late fall.
What to do
Pond exploration: Osmore Pond provides water recreation directly accessible from New Discovery State Park Campground. "The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use," notes Reid B. about nearby Groton Forest Road Campground.
Rail trail riding: The converted rail trail adjacent to the campground offers flat, accessible terrain for both horses and hikers. "Right along a long rail trail where you can put in many miles and not even know it," explains Rick S. about the trail system.
Winter camping options: For cold-weather enthusiasts, some campgrounds in the region remain open year-round. At Hancock Campground, Heather B. reports, "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."
What campers like
Variety of site options: The campground layout provides choices between open field sites and more secluded wooded areas. "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," Sarah C. explains.
Privacy between sites: Many visitors appreciate the spacing between campsites. Robin B. notes about New Discovery, "The sites are well separated and private. The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest."
Remote shelter options: For more adventurous campers, New Discovery offers walk-in shelter sites around Osmore Pond. "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! Quiet, serene, beautiful!" shares Sambath T.
What you should know
Bathroom maintenance concerns: Facilities receive mixed reviews regarding upkeep. "My complaint is in regards to the maintenance of the 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 connection challenges: While potable water is available, RV users should note filling limitations. Laura M. explains, "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."
Remote site accessibility: The walk-in sites around Osmore Pond require planning for equipment transport. According to Sarah C., "If bringing a full-sized cooler or other large/luxury car camping items be sure you are heading to a site closer to the parking area. It would be a challenge to get larger, heavier items to sites across the pond from the parking lot."
Tips for camping with families
Equestrian camping amenities: Families with horses benefit from dedicated facilities at New Discovery, one of the few parks offering stalls for equestrian camping near Greensboro, Vermont. The campground connects directly to riding trails throughout Groton State Forest.
Shower costs: Parents should bring quarters for the pay showers. Laura M. advises, "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only."
Kid-friendly features: Children enjoy unique campground elements beyond standard amenities. "There's also a book exchange library and adorable little gnome habitats set up in the campground," notes Laura M. about New Discovery State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection challenges: RVs require careful site selection due to terrain variations. Laura M. cautions, "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."
Wildlife considerations: While offering a rustic experience, campers should practice proper food storage. Laura M. reports, "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."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies throughout the campground areas. Miccal M. notes during his visit, "Not much cell service, but some in places."
