New Discovery State Park Campground offers equestrian camping facilities within the scenic Groton State Forest. The park sits at an elevation of approximately 1,100 feet in Vermont's northeast kingdom region, providing access to mixed hardwood and conifer forests. Facilities are specifically designed for horseback riders with dedicated sites featuring stalls for horses and connections to extensive trail networks.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Numerous hiking trails branch directly from New Discovery State Park Campground. According to visitor Miccal M., the campground offers "easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion" with well-maintained trails throughout the surrounding forest.
Winter camping options: Unlike many Vermont campgrounds, Hancock Campground remains open year-round for equestrians and other campers seeking cold-weather adventures. Heather B. reports, "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."
Horse trail exploration: The rail trail near New Discovery provides extensive riding opportunities. Rick S. mentions that it runs along the campground "where you can put in many miles and not even know it," making it perfect for day-long rides through the forest.
What campers like
Private campsites: Sites at Groton Forest Road Campground provide good spacing between neighbors. As Reid B. notes, "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."
Water access points: Multiple ponds are available for horses and riders. Rick S. describes how "Swimming and boating is a short ride in a couple different directions, Osmore Pond, Kettle Pond, or Ricker Pond" making water breaks convenient during longer rides.
Remote shelters: For those seeking solitude with their horses, New Discovery offers secluded options. Sambath T. writes they "had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! quiet, serene. beautiful!"
What you should know
Bathroom maintenance issues: While facilities exist, upkeep can be inconsistent at busy times. One camper at New Discovery State Park Campground reported, "The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced. More upsetting was that the soap container was empty all weekend."
Site variations: Not all sites accommodate the same equipment or animals. Sarah C. notes, "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."
Water fill challenges: When camping with horses, note that some water spigots lack standard connections. Laura M. explains, "The spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results."
Tips for camping with families
Remote shelter considerations: When planning horse camping trips with children, assess walk-in distances. Sarah C. advises that at Hancock Campground, "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."
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present in horse camping areas near Bolton Valley. Laura M. recommends, "There are bears around the area though so please be bear smart when camping here." Many sites provide bear boxes for food storage.
Swimming options: After trail riding, cooling off is popular. Reid B. mentions the lake at Groton Forest Road Campground was "gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use," providing entertainment for younger visitors.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for equestrian RVs: RV sites vary significantly at horse campgrounds. Laura M. advises, "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."
Water access workarounds: When filling tanks at Groton Forest Road Campground, be prepared for non-standard connections. One camper shares, "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."
Limited hookup options: Most horse campgrounds near Bolton Valley offer basic amenities rather than full hookups. While some sites have electrical connections, most equestrian-focused campgrounds prioritize trail access over RV amenities.
