New Discovery State Park Campground sits within the expansive 26,000-acre Groton State Forest at approximately 1,200 feet elevation. The campground's forest cover consists primarily of northern hardwoods with stands of spruce and fir throughout. Weather patterns can change quickly in this part of Vermont with summer temperatures ranging from 50°F at night to 80°F during day, making layered clothing essential for campers even in peak season.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: At Branbury State Park Campground, you can rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, and paddleboards directly from rangers. One visitor noted: "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."
Swimming holes exploration: Within a 5-minute hike from some Branbury campsites, you'll find natural swimming options. A camper reported: "A five minute hike—though it is quite a rocky, boulder-y hike—from the sites leads to a small river and swimming hole."
Rail trail adventures: The extensive rail trail system connecting to Groton Forest Road Campground offers miles of relatively flat terrain for biking and hiking. As one camper at New Discovery noted: "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."
What campers like
Site privacy levels: Campsites at New Discovery State Park vary dramatically in seclusion. A visitor observed: "This state park has a little bit of everything. 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. Site size various pretty vastly as you travel through the campground."
Remote water access: For those seeking more solitude, some sites offer unique water experiences. One camper shared: "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!"
Wildlife viewing: The forest setting provides opportunities to spot local wildlife. A reviewer mentioned: "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."
What you should know
Bathroom maintenance issues: Facilities can experience supply shortages during busy periods. One camper reported: "The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced. More upsetting was that the soap container was empty all weekend. At a time like this hand washing is more important than ever!"
Water connections: RVers should note the water system has limitations. A visitor at Hancock Campground shared similar challenges: "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."
Seasonal considerations: The campground operates from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend. During shoulder seasons, temperatures can drop significantly at night. Showers cost around $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only.
Tips for camping with families
Bear safety protocols: Families must follow proper food storage practices. One visitor advised: "There are bears in the area, so be aware and store all food properly. My family loves camping here."
Lean-to options: Consider booking lean-to sites for easier setup with children. A camper noted: "The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in. They have food compost bins here, but the rangers keep forgetting to unlock the bin, so you just have to ask them."
Site selection strategy: For families with horse enthusiasts, book equestrian camping near Groton, Vermont well in advance. Sites designed for equestrian use at New Discovery fill quickly during summer weekends. Some sites around the park have stalls specifically for secure overnight accommodations of horses.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability: Groton Forest Road Campground offers electric and water hookups with both fifty-amp service options, making it more suitable than New Discovery for larger RVs requiring more power. The campground also features a sanitary dump station.
Site selection for large vehicles: When choosing a site at New Discovery, note that not all locations can accommodate larger RVs. One visitor observed: "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."
Cell service reality: Connectivity is limited but available in certain areas of New Discovery. A recent visitor shared: "Not much cell service, but some in places." This makes New Discovery less ideal for remote workers needing consistent connectivity.
