New Discovery State Park Campground specializes in equestrian camping accommodations within Vermont's expansive Groton State Forest. The campground sits at an elevation of approximately 1,100 feet, creating moderate summer temperatures ideal for horse riding excursions. Most equestrian campsites remain open from late May through mid-October, though availability can be limited during peak foliage season in late September.
What to do
Trail riding with horses: New Discovery State Park Campground offers specialized facilities for equestrian campers exploring the numerous trails throughout Groton State Forest. As one camper noted, "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" (New Discovery State Park Campground).
Hiking in White Mountain National Forest: The area surrounding Hancock Campground provides access to numerous trails in the White Mountains, approximately 45 minutes from Thetford Center. "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 (it is so nice to have an open bathroom in the winter!) and a few times in the summer," reports one regular visitor.
Swimming in natural water bodies: Several campgrounds near Thetford Center feature natural swimming areas. At Branbury State Park, located about an hour southwest, visitors enjoy "a wonderful beach with a swimming area and boat launch. Large trees provide shade on a grassy lawn, and grills are available. The concession stand is open during day use hours."
What campers like
Secluded waterfront sites: Campers particularly enjoy the water-adjacent sites available at several campgrounds near Thetford Center. At Branbury State Park Campground, one visitor mentioned, "I couldn't believe how large the lots were. While they arent 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."
Year-round access options: Some campgrounds in the region offer extended or year-round access, unusual for northern New England. According to one Hancock Campground visitor, "We came at the end of October to try to hike Franconia Ridge (there ended up being a blizzard when we go to the top and we had to return in the warmer weather) and we stumbled upon this campground. We were the only ones in it and we picked the site right next to the rambling river."
Horse-friendly accommodations: Equestrian camping options near Thetford Center are limited but high-quality. Groton Forest Road Campground, located near New Discovery State Park, provides additional accommodations for horse owners. A visitor noted the campground has "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."
What you should know
Facilities maintenance varies: Bathroom and shower conditions can vary significantly across campgrounds in the region. At Gunstock Campground, campers report "free hot showers that are not dirty," while at New Discovery, one visitor observed, "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!"
Bear safety precautions: Multiple campgrounds in the area require proper food storage due to black bear activity. A Branbury State Park visitor warned, "Just make sure you put your food and trash away- there are black bears in the area!" Many sites provide bear boxes for food storage.
Weather preparation: Vermont's climate can create unexpected challenges even in summer. Sites at higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures, especially at night. As one camper at Hancock Campground experienced, "We planned to hang out, make breakfast, enjoy the river, and take our time packing up. But they [bees] were unbearable and we had a couple stings, so we rushed to pack up and left early."
Tips for camping with families
Select sites carefully: Family camping requires careful site selection based on needs. At Ramblewood Cabins and Campground, campers note, "We have stayed here a few times and really enjoyed sites and hospitality!" Many campgrounds offer site-specific details online about terrain, privacy, and proximity to amenities.
Look for built-in activities: Many campgrounds near Thetford Center feature on-site recreation opportunities. Gunstock Campground stands out with its "fenced in dog park, playground, showers, clean bathrooms, and laundry facilities," according to a recent visitor. Another camper mentioned it "has an aerial obstacle course and a mountain coaster, places to swim, music festivals, hiking, etc."
Consider lean-to options: Several Vermont state parks offer lean-to shelters that can simplify family camping. A visitor to New Discovery noted, "The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in." Reservations for these popular structures typically open 11 months in advance and fill quickly for summer weekends.
Tips from RVers
Water access challenges: RVers should note potential water connection issues at some campgrounds. At New Discovery, a camper found "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."
Limited hookup sites: Most equestrian camping areas near Thetford Center offer limited or no hookup sites. At Tippicanoe Campground, approximately 45 minutes east, RVers find more options: "The sites all have water, 50amp and sewer hookups. Very few tenting, mostly RVs on the well laid out grounds where you are not far from the beautiful beach, trout stocked pond and all ammenities."
Site leveling requirements: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for RVs. A New Discovery visitor observed that "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." Research specific site details before booking, especially when bringing larger rigs.
