Equestrian Camping near Vershire, VT

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    New Discovery State Park Campground features horse stalls within the campground for equestrians bringing their own mounts. For those seeking horse camping near Vershire, VT, the sites range from wooded loops to open fields, giving horse trailer access throughout. Some sites are situated deep in the woods with ample tree cover, while others are positioned in open fields, allowing flexibility for horse trailers. The campground's location provides convenient access to trails throughout the forest, with a rail trail nearby allowing for extended riding without retracing paths. Multiple ponds within the park offer water access for horses and riders.

    Trail riders have access to the extensive network of trails in Groton State Forest directly from the campground. The maintained paths connect to Osmore Pond, Kettle Pond, and Ricker Pond, offering varied riding terrain and swimming opportunities. Horse owners must follow standard park regulations, including proper waste management and keeping horses secured at designated areas. The park remains open from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend, making it ideal for summer and early fall riding excursions. Reservations are recommended as the equestrian sites can fill quickly during peak season. The bathroom facilities are regularly maintained, though riders occasionally report temporary shortages of supplies during busy weekends.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Vershire (5)

      1. New Discovery State Park Campground

      4.0(6)24mi from VershireRVs, Tents

      "There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses. The bathhouse looks typical and clean.

      Not much cell service, but some in places.

      Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion."

      "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."

      from $20 - $38 / night

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      2. Hancock Campground

      4.1(27)37mi from Vershire56 sitesRVs, Tents

      "This would be one of few places I find acceptable to camp, that are near other people. I usually don't like camping with 20+ other people in one looped area."

      "Used the tent sides a quick hill walk down from the parking lot. River great for splashing around and nearby path to Lincoln Woods trail."

      from $30 / night

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      3. Groton Forest Road Campground

      4.0(4)26mi from VershireRVs, Tents

      "The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use. The bathrooms were well maintained along with the showers."

      from $35 / night

      4. Branbury State Park Campground

      4.8(10)38mi from VershireRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "The site was so scenic with a little waterfall and stream nearby. The camp staff was so nice. They kept the the bathrooms and areas so clean."

      "Love to lake access, secluded camping, the hiking and remote area. Planning on revisiting next summer, even in august the nights get to a good sleeping temperature a vast majority of the time."

      5. Tippicanoe Campground

      5.0(1)47mi from VershireRVs, Tents

      from $35 - $45 / night

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Vershire, VT

    48 Reviews of 5 Vershire Campgrounds


    • Miccal  M.
      Aug. 25, 2024

      New Discovery State Park Campground

      Drove through on my way past

      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.

      The bathhouse looks typical and clean.

      Not much cell service, but some in places.

      Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion.

      Noticed more than a few sites that I could hang at.

    • Tina D.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 16, 2018

      Hancock Campground

      Semi Private Group Campground

      This would be one of few places I find acceptable to camp, that are near other people. I usually don't like camping with 20+ other people in one looped area. The sites here are pretty well spread out. Not ALL of them, but look around. We found what I would think is the best. The one we ended up at had stairs leading from the car down to our site. It was further away from the other sites and had the pretty much private stream running by it. The area we had for use was pretty huge, we had a giant tent 10-12 plus a pop up tent to put over the picnic table, and there was still a ton of room for the car, fire pit and general run around area for our dog. I never felt like we had to lock up everything we owned either. A short walk to the toilets from all sites. Bring a headlamp of course. TP is in the outhouses bring a spare hand sanitizer bottle to use after.

      FYI there is a pretty awesome hike close by you can do. I mean you have to drive there but it wasn't far. It goes up to Mt Moosilauke. We ended up taking Beaver Brook Trail to the Cascades, checked out the shelter and headed to Moosilauke Summit. A crazy hike pretty much going up the side of a waterfall. The peak was 4,802ft. Worth it! I'd say an 8 mile trek from the car, up, and back. I included just a couple pictures to entice you since its not about the campsite! There are a TON of trails near this campsite, this would just be my favorite of the 6 or 7 we did.

    • jonathan M.
      May. 18, 2022

      Groton Forest Road Campground

      Horrible

      If I could leave a no star rating, I would. To anyone who is looking to park there camper for the season, I recommend going elsewhere. The previous owner was a more reasonable guy and well respected. 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. The current owner is a dictator who likes to show favoritism. Please save yourself the trouble and try a different campground, there are plenty in the state of Vermont.

    • C
      May. 29, 2021

      Hancock Campground

      Riverside Paradise

      Most amazing spot I’ve ever camped and not too many people. Used the tent sides a quick hill walk down from the parking lot. River great for splashing around and nearby path to Lincoln Woods trail.

    • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Nov. 1, 2018

      Hancock Campground

      Year-round campground with riverfront tent sites & standard sites

      I haven't stayed here, but I checked it out on Columbus Day weekend because it's one of the few campgrounds open year-round (plowed, unlike Lafayette Place, which is walk-in) in the White Mountains. Most of the reviews talk about the walk-in tent sites, but there's more to this campground that is located along the Kancamagus Highway just before the Lincoln Woods Visitors' Center.

      If you're a tent camper and don't mind carrying your gear downhill to a site, drive straight ahead to a parking lot. A few of the sites (3 & 4) are accessible from the far end of the parking lot, but for most of them you'll head down the steps in the middle with sites in two levels branching out on each side. Sites are large, but close together and although you're in the woods, there's not much to separate you from your neighbors. Even sites 10-20 are directly on the water.

      Sites 22-55 are suitable for RVs and tents. Those on the back side of the loop are close enough that you can hear the Pemi River running below. A few of the sites are pull-through. There are no hook-ups, but water available via spigots and flush toilets are available - except in winter. I'd recommend sites on the back side of the loop to provide some more distance from traffic noise. I chatted briefly with a host who remarked that sites on the western end of the loop have some cell phone coverage, unlike the rest of the campground.

      If you stay here, you're only a few miles from Lincoln where you can pick up any necessary supplies. This end of the Kanc your nearest hiking options are Lincoln Woods and Greeley Pond for family friendly trails, or Lincoln Woods to head into the Pemi wilderness, including peaks in the Pemi loop and Owl's Head. The Hancocks are via a trail at the hairpin on the Kanc. Franconia Notch and its many hiking trails and the multi-use trail are a short drive away.

      Bring cash or a check to pay your camping fee in the iron ranger. Fees cover the first vehicle; a second vehicle is an additional $5.

    • Tara S.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 7, 2018

      Hancock Campground

      Loved the Walk-In Tent Sites!

      Hancock Campground is one of 6 national forest campgrounds along the Kancamagus Highway. Campsites can't be reserved and the campground does fill up on the weekends. 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. This is a busy campground, but lovely all the same.

      We got site #19, which was one of the last sites available. It had a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box. There were awesome waterfront sites nearby, but they were taken, of course. Cost was reasonable - $22 per night. Pit toilets were near the parking area, but there was a real bathroom with a sink and a flush toilet in the car camping area. There is also a fabulous swimming hole. Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area.

      Hancock Campground is a five-minute drive from Lincoln, NH, and very close to awesome hiking trails in the White Mountain National Forest and Franconia Notch State Park.

    • M
      May. 1, 2019

      Hancock Campground

      Great location

      I stayed at Hancock campground in mid April this year. Great clean accessible bathrooms, beautiful grounds and large campgrounds. Leashed dogs are allowed. There are both walk-in and drive up tent sites. The walk-in sites are directly next to the beautiful Pemi River. Great overall would return again.

    • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Apr. 1, 2021

      New Discovery State Park Campground

      Interesting State Park

      This state park has a little bit of everything. There are sites with electric hookups as well as some without. 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. There are two main loops, one is more secluded and spaced out than the other. The campground loops have bath houses, complete with coin operated showers. Park staff were attentive and restrooms were being cleaned with frequency. 

      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. 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(or other large/luxury car camping items) be sure you are heading to a site closer to the parking area. It would be a challenge to get some of those larger, heavier items to sites across the pond from the parking lot.

    • Ann P.
      Oct. 30, 2023

      Hancock Campground

      Pretty but not clean

      Some pros and lots of cons. We stayed at a walk-in site by the river.

      I never fully appreciated just how much camp hosts do. There was no ranger and no host. We arrived early on a Thursday, hopeful we could get a spot by the water. There are only two spots that are truly private in any way. They were both taken- fine. However, one of the groups had not registered and stayed until 4 or 5pm until everyone else had already set up for the day…then they left! So uncool. The site went unused because at that point, no one was going to move all their stuff. Maybe a camp host would’ve noticed that?

      The sites were FILTHY with trash, dog poop and food waste. Pretty crazy considering this was supposed to be a bear area. There was also a bad smell wafting around, hmm…maybe because of the trash and dog poop? Stepping in dog poop and trying to clean off your boots is a significant bummer. The site we were stuck at also had ashes and chunks of wood all over the picnic table. Cleaning up this much in order to feel comfortable really sucked.

      There was no running water at any of the pumps and the pit toilets were quite full.

      There is a bridge nearby but the river covered any vehicle noise very well. It was also nice to be right off the highway and five minutes from town, yet it felt like a proper national forest experience.

      There’s an upper loop with drive in sites. They didn’t seem very private and you could see the road. I wouldn’t stay up there.

      Being by the river was beautiful. I would stay here again, but with more preparation for the campground’s limitations.


    Guide to Vershire

    New Discovery State Park Campground provides tent and RV sites in Groton State Forest at 1,100 feet elevation. During summer months, average temperatures range from 50°F at night to 75°F during day, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. The forest contains over 26,000 acres with several bodies of water, creating varied camping options for equestrian and non-equestrian visitors.

    What to do

    Boating access: Osmore Pond within New Discovery State Park offers canoe access to remote sites. "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! Quiet, serene, beautiful!" writes camper Sambath T. about New Discovery State Park Campground.

    Swimming options: Lake Dunmore at Branbury State Park provides a designated swimming area with amenities. "The day use section has a wonderful beach with a swimming area and boat launch. Large trees provide shade on a grassy lawn, and grills are available," notes Lisa S. about Branbury State Park Campground.

    Rail trail exploration: The converted railway corridor offers miles of flat, wide trail surface ideal for walking or biking. "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," reports Rick S. from a weekend at New Discovery.

    What campers like

    Riverside sites: Hancock Campground offers waterfront tent sites near flowing water. "We camped here Wednesday-Friday on one of the riverfront tent sites... which had a nice little opening to the water and had a bit more tree coverage to separate us from our neighbors," explains Lindsey M. about Hancock Campground.

    Lean-to shelters: Several parks feature covered wooden structures providing protection from elements. "The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in," comments Laura M. from New Discovery State Park.

    Site privacy: Many campgrounds offer adequate separation between camping spots. "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. about her experience at Groton Forest Road Campground.

    What you should know

    Bear awareness: Store food properly in provided containers. "There are bears in the area though so please be bear smart when camping here," advises Laura M. about camping at New Discovery, where bear boxes are available at some sites.

    Water access limitations: At some campgrounds, filling RV tanks requires adapters. "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 one visitor.

    Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the area operate on limited schedules. "The park remains open from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend," states Tippicanoe Campground, which maintains different operating hours than some state parks.

    Tips for camping with families

    Water recreation options: Multiple ponds provide family-friendly activities. "The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use," shares Reid B. about his experience at Groton Forest Road Campground.

    Playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "There's a nature center with all kinds of information and activities. A large playground. Volleyball and horseshoe pits," notes J L. about family amenities at Branbury State Park.

    Hiking accessibility: Trail networks 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," reports Laura M. about Hancock Campground.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection considerations: Not all sites accommodate larger vehicles. "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," warns Laura M. from her RV camping experience.

    Water and electric availability: Utility hookups vary widely between campgrounds. "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 amenities," reports David G. about options at Tippicanoe.

    Dump station access: Most state parks provide sanitary dump stations, but locations can be inconvenient. "There is a dump station and drinking water on site, but the spigots for the water are not threaded," notes one RVer about facilities at New Discovery State Park.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Vershire, VT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Vershire, VT is New Discovery State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 6 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Vershire, VT?

    TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Vershire, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.