New Discovery State Park Campground offers specialized equestrian facilities with dedicated horse stalls. The campground provides 45 sites situated across both wooded areas and open fields. Equestrian camping near Johnson, Vermont thrives in the summer months when trail conditions are optimal. The campground operates seasonally from late May through mid-October with specific horse-friendly amenities that distinguish it from standard camping options in the region.
What to do
Trail riding access: The campground connects directly to an extensive rail trail system where riders can cover significant distances. According to Rick S., "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."
Pond exploration: Multiple water bodies surround the Groton Forest Road Campground, offering fishing and paddling opportunities. Chris H. notes that the area is "Great for Campers and tenters. Good fishing and plenty of hiking."
Winter activities: While the equestrian facilities close for winter, the surrounding forest trails convert to cross-country skiing routes when snow conditions permit. The trail network accommodates various skill levels with both groomed and backcountry options.
What campers like
Private site layouts: The campground design provides good separation between camping areas. Sarah C. explains, "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."
Remote shelter options: For those seeking more seclusion while horseback riding near Johnson, Vermont, the AuSable Chasm Campground offers alternative accommodations. Levi M. reports, "We found our way to the tent sites, nestled in the very back corner which for us was exactly what we like. Sites were a medium distance apart but still spacious enough to not be close to neighbors."
Natural surroundings: The forest setting creates a peaceful environment for both horses and campers. Miccal M. observed during a drive-through, "There are two loops of sites, some deep in the woods with great-looking trees, others in a field, and some in between. There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses."
What you should know
Facilities maintenance: Bathroom upkeep can be inconsistent during busy periods. Robin B. reports, "The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest. My complaint is in regards to the maintenance of the facilities. The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced."
Water access for RVs: New Discovery State Park Campground has some limitations for filling RV tanks. Laura M. advises, "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."
Reservation requirements: Horse camping sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. Saige V. suggests regarding nearby options, "Reservations are def a plus. Can be difficult to get into on the weekend."
Tips for camping with families
Shelter options: The lean-to sites provide a unique experience for families with children. Laura M. recommends, "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."
Wildlife viewing: Children can enjoy observing the local wildlife from a safe distance. Rick S. describes the entertainment value, "There were squirrels that would spend lots of time throughout the day sending loose the green pine cones and then come down and chew them up. Pretty entertaining except for when they drop them on your tarps."
Recreational facilities: Ausable Chasm Campground offers additional family-friendly amenities near Johnson. larry notes, "Pool was clean, play ground kids loved it. And facilities were clean, with hot showers."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV campsites vary significantly in size and levelness throughout the region. Sarah C. cautions, "Site size various pretty vastly as you travel through the campground. There are sites with electric hookups as well as some without."
Site accessibility: Road conditions within campgrounds can affect RV access to horse camping facilities near Johnson. Brian P. warns about one nearby location, "The 'road' into the campground is more like a goat trail, with numerous washouts and uneven rocks and dirt. RV site 8 is so out of level that we couldn't get our Airstream level unless we put 10" of blocking under both axles."
Hookup availability: For RVers requiring services, several campgrounds offer various levels of connectivity. Heather M. shares, "3 night stay, tent camping on a site with water and electric. The site we had was quite large, I had booked an end site (#73) hoping it would be big!"
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