New Discovery State Park Campground offers specialized sites for those seeking equestrian camping near Fayston, Vermont. Located within the 26,000-acre Groton State Forest, the park sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation and experiences cool summer nights even in July and August. The campground operates seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend, with most equestrian sites requiring advance reservations.
What to do
Pond swimming and boating: Groton State Forest contains several ponds accessible from camping areas. At Branbury State Park Campground, "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," notes Lisa S.
Mountain biking trails: The network of trails throughout the forest provides excellent terrain for mountain biking. At AuSable Chasm Campground, "I wish I had my bike!!! I didn't know that this was a biking campground and there were SO MANY trails. Made the most of them with running, but overall, a fantastic campground," reports Rebecca Y.
Rail trail access: The region features converted rail trails perfect for hiking or biking. At New Discovery State Park, "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," according to Rick S.
Remote pond camping: For those seeking more solitude, some parks offer remote sites. "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! Quiet, serene, beautiful! Can't wait to go back!" shares Sambath T. about their experience at New Discovery State Park.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous site sizing in Vermont state parks. At Branbury State Park, "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," notes Catherine M.
Lean-to options: Groton Forest Road Campground and surrounding state parks feature covered lean-to shelters. "The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in," remarks Laura M. about New Discovery State Park.
Forest access: Direct trail access from campsites ranks high with visitors. "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," says Laura M. about the Groton State Forest area.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Amenities can be basic in some Vermont campgrounds. At New Discovery State Park, "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only," reports Laura M., who also notes that "the spigots for the water are not threaded" which can make filling RV tanks challenging.
Wildlife considerations: Frontier Town Campground and other forest campgrounds require proper food storage. "Just make sure you put your food and trash away - there are black bears in the area!" warns Nicole E. about camping in Vermont's state parks.
Seasonal maintenance issues: Facilities maintenance can vary by season and visitation. Robin B. notes about New Discovery State Park, "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
Playground access: Family-friendly campgrounds often feature play areas. Branbury State Park has "a large playground. Volleyball and horseshoe pits. Definitely will be returning! Also, bathrooms were always clean and well maintained. Park staff very friendly!" reports J L.
Swimming options: Branbury State Park Campground offers "spacious sites, hiking trails, biking trails, nice beach and grounds. Fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals. There's a nature center with all kinds of information and activities," according to J L.
Kid-friendly sites: Look for sites with natural features children can explore. "We stayed in a wooded area surrounded by large rocks my daughter could climb on. The beach was nearby and included in the stay with horseshoes and a playground," shares Desiree V. about Branbury State Park.
Tips from RVers
Water access challenges: RVers should prepare for potentially difficult water connections. "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," advises Laura M. about New Discovery State Park.
Site selection importance: The terrain can make some sites better suited for RVs than others. "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. about horse-friendly camping areas.
Equestrian site configurations: For those bringing horses and trailers, understanding site layout is crucial. At Frontier Town, one visitor observed, "I drove through the equestrian loop and found it very confusing. Lots of fences and shared pedestals," though they noted the campground was "spic and span like it had just opened last month."
Ranger
