New Discovery State Park Campground offers specialized equestrian camping facilities near Lyndonville, Vermont. Located in Groton State Forest at 1,100 feet elevation, the area experiences cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands, with summer highs typically in the 70s. The campground operates seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend, serving as one of the region's primary destinations for visitors traveling with horses.
What to do
Trail riding exploration: Access multiple connected trail systems directly from New Discovery State Park Campground, with routes suitable for various experience levels. "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. There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses," notes Miccal M.
Swimming and boating options: Multiple ponds within Groton State Forest provide water recreation opportunities within short distances. "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, Osmore pond, Kettle pond, or Ricker pond," reports Rick S.
Hiking trail access: Explore the extensive trail network surrounding Hancock Campground with options for day hikes at various difficulty levels. "Great place to set up camp to get some 4Ks in the whites. Some lovely spots by the water. Open year round!! I have stayed here many times, three times in the winter and a few times in the summer," shares Kim O.
What campers like
Well-spaced sites: The campground layout offers good separation between sites in certain areas, providing privacy for campers. "We camped at Groton Forest Road Campground last year for a nice getaway and absolutely loved the park. The spots were spacious with enough privacy between sites. The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use," reports Reid B.
Lean-to options: Several campers appreciate the rustic shelter options around Osmore Pond. "There are more remote walk-in shelters on the Osmore Pond, located within New Discovery State Park. The shelters are rustic, have shared outhouses between a few sites, fire pits and small picnic tables," explains Sarah C.
Peaceful water access: Sites near water features receive consistently positive feedback for their ambiance. "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!" writes Sambath T.
What you should know
Variable site conditions: Site quality and accessibility vary significantly throughout the campground. "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," advises Laura M.
Bathroom facility limitations: Facility maintenance can be inconsistent, especially during busy periods. "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! It was very disappointing!" reports Robin B.
Water access considerations: RVers should note water availability challenges. "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. 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.
Tips for camping with families
Book early for equestrian sites: Horse camping areas near Lyndonville require advance planning, particularly for summer weekends when sites fill quickly. "Reservations are def a plus. Can be difficult to get into on the weekend," advises Saige V. from Groton Forest Road Campground.
Consider walk-in tent sites for more space: Families with children may prefer the walk-in tent areas for additional room to spread out. "Hancock Campground is one of 6 national forest campgrounds along the Kancamagus Highway. We were lucky to score a walk-in tent site on a Saturday in August, and while it did feel a bit like a tent city, we loved that there were no cars at the campsites. It made the tenting area feel more like a community," shares Tara S.
Pack accordingly for remote sites: When selecting more distant sites, consider equipment transport logistics. "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. If bringing a full-sized cooler be sure you are heading to a site closer to the parking area," notes Sarah C.
Tips from RVers
Plan for variable hookup options: RV camping at equestrian facilities near Lyndonville requires research on available utilities. "This state park has a little bit of everything. There are sites with electric hookups as well as some without. Site size various pretty vastly as you travel through the campground," explains Sarah C.
Prepare for moderate-sized rigs only: Most equestrian campgrounds in the area accommodate small to medium RVs rather than large rigs. "I camped at New Discovery this weekend, the sites are well separated and private. The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest," notes Robin B.
Check shower facilities before arrival: Coin-operated showers are available but require quarters. "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," mentions Laura M.
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