New Discovery State Park Campground features specialized equestrian camping facilities within Vermont's Groton State Forest, approximately 35 miles northeast of Randolph. The campground sits at 1,100 feet elevation in a mixed hardwood forest environment with terrain ranging from flat camping areas to rolling forest trails. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing while summer days typically reach the 70s with cool evenings.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Access to Groton State Forest's extensive trail network directly from New Discovery State Park Campground. "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," notes Rick S.
Hiking trails: Numerous trail options for all skill levels connect directly to camping areas. "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," shares Laura M. from New Discovery State Park.
Water activities: Multiple ponds within Groton State Forest offer swimming, fishing and paddling opportunities. "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! Quiet, serene, beautiful!" reports Sambath T. about the remote lake access sites.
What campers like
Site variety: Branbury State Park Campground offers diverse camping options. "I couldn't believe how large the lots were. While they aren't super far from one another, they are large enough that they seem further than they are. Nice beautiful wooded area, we were able to put a tent and hang a hammock for sleeping," comments Catherine M.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain reasonable standards despite occasional issues. "The bathrooms were super nice, the campground itself was really clean too! This was definitely our favorite campsite we've ever been to this far," shares Macie about her experience at Branbury State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife including moose and bears. "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.
What you should know
Water supply challenges: Water access can be complicated at some locations. "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. from Groton Forest Road Campground.
Facility maintenance: Some visitors report inconsistent maintenance. "My complaint is in regards to the maintenance of the facilities. The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced. More upsetting was that the soap container was empty all weekend," reports Robin B. about New Discovery.
Reservation requirements: Booking ahead is essential, especially for equestrian sites or during peak seasons. "We showed up on a busy Memorial Day weekend without reservations and the staff was kind enough to give us their last leanto," shares M.A.D. P. about their fortunate experience at Branbury State Park.
Legend
