New Discovery State Park Campground offers specialized equestrian facilities within Vermont's scenic Groton State Forest. The park provides dedicated stalls for riders and their horses, making it a standout option for equestrian camping near Fairlee, Vermont. Elevation in this area ranges from 900 to 1,500 feet, creating a moderate climate with cool nights even in summer. Water access for horses is plentiful, with three ponds available within riding distance.
What to do
Trail riding on rail trails: Access the extensive rail trail system directly from New Discovery State Park Campground, where you can ride for miles through Vermont's countryside. "We stayed at the Eagle leanto and is perfect for hanging multiple hammocks. Right along a long rail trail where you can put in many miles and not even know it," notes camper Rick S.
Kayaking and canoeing on multiple ponds: Rent watercraft from park rangers to explore the nearby ponds. According to Laura M., "You can also go down to the water and rent a kayak or canoe from the rangers. Camp fees are $28/night, plus $5/day per adult for state park fees."
Hiking accessible trails: Hancock Campground offers excellent access to White Mountain trails. "Great place to set up camp to get some 4Ks in the whites. Some lovely spots by the water. Open year round!! I have stayed here many times, three times in the winter," reports Kim O.
Swimming in natural settings: Look for designated swimming areas at various ponds within the state forest system. At Branbury State Park, visitors appreciate the "nice beach and grounds. Fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals," according to camper J L.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Branbury State Park Campground offers secluded camping spots. "I couldn't believe how large the lots were. While they aren't super far from one another, they are large enough that they seem further than they are. Nice beautiful wooded area, we were able to put a tent and hang a hammock for sleeping," reports Catherine M.
Horse-friendly accommodations: Equestrian campers near Fairlee praise the specialized facilities. At New Discovery State Park, designated horse camping areas feature well-maintained stalls and access to multiple trail systems connecting to various water sources.
Waterfront camping options: Some campgrounds offer direct water access. At Hancock Campground, Tara S. notes: "We loved that there were no cars at the campsites. It made the tenting area feel more like a community. This is a busy campground, but lovely all the same." She adds, "There is also a fabulous swimming hole. Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area."
Lean-to shelters: Several Vermont state parks feature these rustic accommodations. Sarah C. describes the shelters at New Discovery: "The shelters are rustic, have shared outhouses between a few sites, fire pits and small picnic tables. The remote sites are spaced nicely around the pond along a hiking trail that skirts the perimeter."
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: The region has active black bear populations requiring proper food storage. "There are bears in the area though so please be bear smart when camping here," advises Laura M. about camping at New Discovery State Park. Bear boxes are provided at some sites.
Varying site accessibility: At New Discovery, Sarah C. explains, "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 (or other large/luxury car camping items) be sure you are heading to a site closer to the parking area."
Seasonal insect considerations: Some campsites experience heavy bee activity during certain periods. One Hancock visitor reported, "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."
Facility maintenance varies: Gunstock Campground maintains clean facilities year-round. Sara D. notes, "Free hot showers that are not dirty, lots of trails on edge of the grounds, lots and lots of tent sites, platform on campsite, pool and playground available, camp store." However, at other locations like New Discovery, Robin B. found that "The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced. More upsetting was that the soap container was empty all weekend."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options for children: Branbury State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "Theres a nature center with all kinds of information and activities. A large playground. Volleyball and horseshoe pits," reports J L.
Swimming areas with amenities: Look for designated swimming areas with additional facilities. "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," mentions Lisa S. about Branbury State Park.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs specifically for children. Branbury State Park features a nature center with interactive displays and ranger-led activities during summer months.
Choose sites based on bathroom proximity: For families with young children, consider location carefully. At Hancock Campground, Tara S. mentions, "Pit toilets were near the parking area, but there was a real bathroom with a sink and a flush toilet in the car camping area."
Tips from RVers
Water access considerations: Tippicanoe Campground provides full hookups for RVs. David G. notes, "The sites all have water, 50amp and sewer hookups. Very few tenting, mostly RVs on the well laid out grounds where you are not far from the beautiful beach, trout stocked pond and all ammenities."
Dump station availability: When full hookups aren't available, check for dump stations. Laura M. explains about New Discovery, "There is a dump station and drinking water on site, but 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."
Site terrain variations: Many Vermont campgrounds have uneven terrain challenging for RVs. At New Discovery, Laura observes, "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."
Seasonal limitations: Most Vermont state parks, including those accommodating horse camping near Fairlee, operate seasonally from Memorial Day through mid-October. Commercial campgrounds may offer extended seasons.
