New Discovery State Park Campground provides access to various terrain types across Groton State Forest. The campground sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with winter temperatures regularly dropping below freezing. Equestrian camping sites include direct access to forest trails connecting multiple ponds and waterways. Sites vary considerably in size and privacy levels throughout the 21-acre campground area.
What to do
Trail riding: Multiple trail networks connect directly from New Discovery's equestrian sites. "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," notes Rick S. about New Discovery State Park Campground.
Winter horseback trips: While New Discovery closes after Columbus Day, equestrian campers can continue winter activities at Hancock Campground in New Hampshire. "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," shares Heather B., noting that water availability would have earned it five stars.
Swimming spots: Several ponds within Groton State Forest offer swimming opportunities for both humans and horses. According to campers, most ponds have shallow entry points suitable for horses and designated swimming areas for people within 2-3 miles of the equestrian sites.
What campers like
Spacious equestrian sites: The dedicated horse sites include both tie areas and stalls depending on reservation type. "This campground 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," reports Sarah C.
Clean facilities: Despite occasional maintenance issues, most campers appreciate the regular cleaning. "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," explains Laura M. about Groton Forest Road Campground, adding "the bathrooms were well maintained along with the showers."
Wildlife viewing: The forest setting provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. One camper reported: "There were squirrels that would spend lots of time throughout the day sending loose the green pine cones and then come down and chew them up. Pretty entertaining except for when they drop them on your tarps."
What you should know
Water access limitations: Filling large water containers can be challenging. "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," advises Laura M.
Site selection importance: Sites vary dramatically in size, privacy, and suitability for different camping setups. "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," notes a recent visitor.
Bear awareness: The area has active bear populations requiring proper food storage. "We appreciated having a bear box on our site, especially since we couldn't keep anything in our car. It was big enough to fit our grill, cooler, trash, and bag of groceries," shares a camper at Hancock.
Tips for camping with families
Remote shelter options: For families seeking a more secluded experience, consider the walk-in shelters. "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," explains Sarah C.
Pack-in considerations: For walk-in sites, pack accordingly. "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."
Educational elements: Hancock Campground offers alternative options for horse-camping families in cooler months. "This campground is great! I recommend getting a site in the river side away from the street. Absolutely beautiful!" suggests Lisa S. Rangers occasionally offer educational programs at both locations during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Large rigs face limitations at equestrian sites. "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," reports Miccal M., who notes that not all sites accommodate larger vehicles.
Utility connections: Limited hookups are available. "My spots are 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. The bathrooms were well maintained along with the showers," explains Reid B. about nearby options when equestrian sites lack needed connections.
Off-season alternatives: For RVers seeking equestrian camping beyond the regular season, Hancock Campground remains open year-round. "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," notes Tara S.
