New Discovery State Park Campground provides specialized equestrian camping near Guildhall, Vermont, with dedicated stalls for horses. Located about 40 miles from Guildhall in Marshfield, the campground sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation within Groton State Forest. The forest encompasses over 26,000 acres of wilderness, with several ponds and an extensive multi-use trail system that remains accessible throughout the regular camping season from late May through mid-October.
What to do
Explore waterfront activities: Hancock Campground offers excellent river access with designated swimming areas. "There is also a fabulous swimming hole. Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area," notes Tara S., who appreciates the campground's proximity to Lincoln, NH and hiking in White Mountain National Forest.
Trail riding: Equestrians 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," explains Laura M. in her review of New Discovery State Park Campground.
Winter exploration: For cold-weather adventurers, some campgrounds remain accessible year-round. "We 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," writes Heather B. about her winter camping experience at Hancock Campground.
What campers like
Site privacy: The arrangement of camping areas at many locations offers good separation between sites. "The sites are well separated and private. The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest," notes Robin B. about her experience at New Discovery, though she mentions facility maintenance could be improved.
Remote pond access: For those seeking solitude, remote sites are available. "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! Quiet, serene, beautiful!" exclaims Sambath T. about the secluded options at Groton Forest Road Campground.
Wildlife opportunities: The forests around Guildhall provide habitat for diverse 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. about camping at New Discovery State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal water conditions: Water access varies throughout the season. "The river access was great, though the water was very low. We appreciated having a bear box on our site, especially since we couldn't keep anything in our car," reports Lindsey M. about her late summer experience at Hancock Campground.
Facility maintenance: During peak periods, facilities may require additional attention. "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!" shares Robin B. about her visit to New Discovery State Park.
Water hookups: Some campgrounds have limitations regarding water connections. "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," explains Laura M. from her camping experience at New Discovery State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites strategically: Consider proximity to amenities when selecting sites with children. "The remote sites are spaced nicely around the pond along a hiking trail that skirts the perimeter. The walk from the parking area to the shelters varies, depending what side of the pond you are camping on," advises Sarah C. about the walk-in shelters at New Discovery.
Pack for insects: Be prepared for seasonal bee activity. "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, including all over the cars in the lot. They calmed down in the evening once it got chilly," warns Lindsey M. about her summer stay at Hancock Campground.
Consider site terrain: Many campgrounds feature variable site conditions. "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. Some sites are out in the open grass where you just find a spot within the site that works for you," observes Laura M. about the diversity at New Discovery State Park.
Tips from RVers
Water filling adaptations: Be prepared for non-standard water connections. "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," shares Laura M. about her resourceful solution at New Discovery State Park Campground.
Loop selection: Consider which campground section best suits your needs. "There are two main loops, one is more secluded and spaced out than the other. The campground loops have bath houses, complete with coin operated showers," explains Sarah C. about the layout at New Discovery State Park.
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