New Discovery State Park Campground offers a distinct equestrian camping experience within Groton State Forest. Positioned at an elevation of approximately 1,100 feet, the campground experiences typical Vermont seasonal variations with warm summers averaging 75-80°F and cool nights dropping to 50-55°F. The terrain throughout the forest features a mix of hardwood and coniferous trees with multiple water features accessible from the campground.
What to do
Trail riding networks: Riders can access multiple interconnected trails directly from New Discovery State Park Campground, with routes suitable for different experience levels. "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," notes Laura M.
Swimming opportunities: Several ponds within short riding or driving distance offer swimming and water recreation. "The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use," shares Reid B. from Groton Forest Road Campground.
Winter activities: When snow covers the region, the area transforms for cold-weather recreation. "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," reports Heather B. about winter camping conditions.
What campers like
Private, well-separated sites: Many horse campgrounds near Hardwick prioritize spacious layouts. "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 New Discovery State Park.
Wildlife observation: The forest surroundings provide opportunities for wildlife watching. "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.
Varied site options: Campers appreciate different site configurations available. "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," describes Sarah C.
What you should know
Water access challenges: Be prepared for non-standard 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," explains Laura M.
Facility maintenance varies: Bathroom and shower facilities receive mixed reviews. "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!" reports Robin B. about a summer weekend visit.
Bear safety requirements: Proper food storage is necessary in this bear-active region. "We appreciated having a bear box on our site, especially since we couldn't keep anything in our car. It was big enough to fit our grill, cooler, trash, and bag of groceries," notes Lindsey M. from Hancock Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for sites with playground access: Some equestrian campgrounds offer family-friendly amenities. "Awesome 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," shares Rick S.
Check shower costs: Some facilities require quarters for shower use. "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only. The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in," advises Laura M.
Consider weekday visits: Weekend congestion can impact family experiences. "Reservations are def a plus. Can be difficult to get into on the weekend," notes Saige V. about Groton Forest Road Campground.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions matter: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs. "This easy-to-access campground has made it on my list of places to stay. There are two loops of sites, some deep in the woods with great-looking trees, others in a field, and some in between," observes Miccal M. when driving through New Discovery.
Electrical availability limited: Plan for self-sufficiency at many sites. "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 some of those larger, heavier items to sites across the pond from the parking lot," advises Sarah C.
Cell service reliability: Connectivity varies throughout the area. "Not much cell service, but some in places," reports Miccal M., which requires RVers to plan navigation and communication needs accordingly.
