New Discovery State Park Campground offers a range of specialized trail riding opportunities for equestrians visiting northeastern Vermont. The equestrian sites include dedicated horse stalls with adequate space for trailers, making it convenient for overnight stays. Seasonal operation runs from late May through mid-October, with the park providing direct access to Groton State Forest's extensive trail system where riders can explore multiple ponds and scenic wilderness areas.
What to do
Rail trail riding: The adjacent rail trail provides miles of relatively flat terrain suitable for horses of all experience levels. 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."
Pond exploration: Several water bodies are accessible via short rides from New Discovery State Park Campground, creating diverse riding destinations. "Osmore pond, Kettle pond, or Ricker pond" are all within riding distance according to reviews, providing water access points for horses during summer months.
Hiking with horses: The park connects to numerous trails suitable for day rides. Miccal M. notes, "Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion" with "sites that I could hang at" making it convenient for riders who want to combine camping with trail access.
What campers like
Private campsites: The campground layout provides good separation between sites, offering privacy for equestrian campers. Robin B. mentions, "The sites are well separated and private. The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest."
Water access: Multiple ponds near the Groton Forest Road Campground provide swimming and fishing opportunities after trail rides. Reid B. shares, "The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use."
Variety of site options: Beyond the equestrian sites, the campground offers diverse camping experiences. Sarah C. explains, "This state park has a little bit of everything... 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."
What you should know
Bathroom maintenance issues: During busy periods, campground facilities may experience maintenance challenges. Robin B. reports, "The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced. More upsetting was that the soap container was empty all weekend."
Shower costs: Hancock Campground and other sites in the region typically charge for showers. Laura M. notes, "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only," so riders should bring quarters for post-ride cleanup.
Reservation requirements: Horse camping sites fill quickly during peak summer months. The specialized stall sites are limited in number, requiring advance booking, especially for holiday weekends and throughout July and August.
Water connections: Some campgrounds have non-standard water spigots. One reviewer mentioned, "The spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results."
Tips for camping with families
Bear safety: Proper food storage is essential when horse camping in this region. Multiple reviews mention bear activity, with one camper noting, "We appreciated having a bear box on our site, especially since we couldn't keep anything in our car."
Entertainment options: Hancock Campground provides natural features that engage children. Molly G. shares, "The river flows right through the campground and makes for some excellent ambiance," creating natural play opportunities.
Site selection strategy: When booking for families with horses, consider proximity to amenities. Sarah C. advises, "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."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups: Many campgrounds in the St. Johnsbury area offer minimal RV services. Laura M. notes, "There is a dump station and drinking water on site, but the spigots for the water are not threaded," requiring adapters for filling tanks.
Site leveling challenges: Hancock Campground and similar venues have variable terrain. One reviewer observed, "Some sites are so sloped I don't even know how a car would camp there," making careful site selection crucial for RVs with horses.
Management considerations: When planning seasonal RV stays with horses, research management practices. At one nearby campground, a reviewer cautioned about management issues: "Save yourself the time and energy and do not sign a contract here, unless you want to later be told you have to leave for a reason that will not be discussed."
