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Equestrian Camping near West Newbury, VT

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    New Discovery State Park Campground offers specialized equestrian sites with horse stalls for campers traveling with horses. Located in Marshfield, Vermont, this campground provides dedicated facilities for equestrians within Groton State Forest. The campground features both standard campsites and specialized areas for horses, with accommodation options including tent and RV camping. Some sites include stalls specifically designed for horses, making it convenient for riders exploring the surrounding forest trails. The campground remains open from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend, with amenities including drinking water, fire pits, picnic tables, and toilets. Sites with horse stalls require advance reservations to ensure availability.

    For those seeking horse camping near West Newbury, trail access directly from the campground connects riders to the extensive network of bridle paths throughout Groton State Forest. Equestrians appreciate the well-maintained trails suitable for various skill levels, from beginner-friendly routes to more challenging terrain. The campground's location provides strategic access to multiple trailheads, allowing for different riding experiences each day. Horse owners should bring their own feed and water buckets, as these are not provided at the campground. Manure disposal areas are available near the equestrian sites, and campers are expected to clean up after their horses. The campground's layout allows for convenient trailer parking near the horse sites, eliminating long walks between camping areas and equestrian facilities. Riders report the trails are well-marked and regularly maintained, making navigation straightforward even for first-time visitors to the area.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near West Newbury (5)

      1. Hancock Campground

      4.1(27)26mi from West Newbury56 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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      2. New Discovery State Park Campground

      4.0(6)19mi from West NewburyRVs, 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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      3. Groton Forest Road Campground

      4.0(4)21mi from West NewburyRVs, 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. Haystack Road

      4.0(5)30mi from West Newbury

      "It is next to the Highway on a paved fire road. So you can hear traffic. And it is paved (which is good if it’s wet and muddy elsewhere). The other spots looked amazing."

      "They have a fire pit, plenty of woods around, and are free."

      5. Branbury State Park Campground

      4.8(10)48mi from West NewburyRVs, 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."

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near West Newbury, VT

    52 Reviews of 5 West Newbury 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.
      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 West Newbury

    New Discovery State Park Campground offers equestrian facilities within Groton State Forest near West Newbury, Vermont. Located at an elevation of about 1,200 feet, the campground experiences cooler temperatures than surrounding valleys, with summer highs averaging in the mid-70s. Sites with horse stalls are available from May through October, accommodating riders looking to explore the forest's extensive trail system.

    What to do

    Trail riding access: Riders at New Discovery State Park Campground appreciate the direct access to riding paths. "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," notes Laura M.

    Swimming opportunities: Cool off after riding at nearby ponds. "Swimming and boating is a short ride in a couple different directions, Osmore pond, Kettle pond, or Ricker pond," shares Rick S., highlighting the multiple water options available within short riding distance.

    Winter hiking: While the equestrian facilities close for winter, Hancock Campground in nearby New Hampshire offers year-round access. "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," reports Heather B., making it a good option for cold-weather trail exploration.

    What campers like

    Diverse site options: The campground layout accommodates various preferences. "There are two main loops, one is more secluded and spaced out than the other," Sarah C. explains about New Discovery, adding that "some sites are in the middle of a grassy field while others are tucked in the trees."

    Privacy between sites: Groton Forest Road Campground, located near the equestrian facilities, offers good separation. "The spots were spacious with enough privacy between sites," notes Reid B., making it suitable for those who prefer more seclusion while still being near riding trails.

    Pond access by canoe: "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! quiet, serene, beautiful!" shares Sambath T. about New Discovery State Park, highlighting the unique water access options beyond the equestrian areas.

    What you should know

    Seasonal considerations: New Discovery's equestrian sites are operational only during specific months. "Camp fees are $28/night, plus $5/day per adult for state park fees," reports Laura M., providing current pricing information.

    Bathroom maintenance: Facilities quality can vary. "The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced. More upsetting was that the soap container was empty all weekend," notes Robin B. from a summer visit, suggesting riders might want to bring personal supplies.

    Water access limitations: Branbury State Park Campground, another option for horse camping near West Newbury, has specific water connection challenges. "The spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results," shares Laura M., suggesting riders bring appropriate adapters for water tanks.

    Tips for camping with families

    Bear safety education: Wildlife awareness is important when horse camping with children. "There are bears in the area though so please be bear smart when camping here," advises Laura M. about New Discovery, reinforcing the importance of proper food storage for both human and horse supplies.

    Lean-to options: "The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in," suggests Laura M., noting these structures provide good shelter options for families with children who might prefer more protection than standard tent sites.

    Beach access: Branbury State Park offers water recreation alongside camping. "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," explains Lisa S., making it a good option for families wanting to combine riding with swimming.

    Tips from RVers

    Dump station access: Equestrian sites with RV accommodation have specific utilities. "There is a dump station and drinking water on site, but the spigots for the water are not threaded," reports Laura M. about New Discovery, adding, "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."

    Site selection considerations: "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," warns Laura M., emphasizing the importance of researching specific site dimensions before booking, especially when traveling with horse trailers.

    Shower facilities: "Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only," notes Laura M. about New Discovery, reminding RVers to bring quarters if planning to use the shower facilities after a day of riding.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near West Newbury, VT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near West Newbury, VT is Hancock Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 27 reviews.

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

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