new discovery State Park

This park is one of seven parks in the Groton State Forest. These parks are all within close proximity to one another (some within walking distance) and entry to one provides free entry to all. Combined, the parks offer a range of activities and attractions.

Welcome

Welcome to New Discovery State Park. As early as 1704, Native Americans and the French were using routes through Groton to reach Canada and Massachusetts. Colonists settled this area of Vermont slightly earlier than the rest of the state through the accessible network of waterways.

The rocky, tree covered hillsides were originally cloaked with white pine, spruce, hemlock, beech, maple and birch. These were logged by local farmers for lumber, fuel and potash. The logging industry was large-scale for almost 100 years while the railroad was operating. Today, logging is still a vital industry in the area, but has lost some of its dominance in favor of modern society’s leisure time movement - private cottages/seasonal homes and a variety of outdoor recreation activities.

Facilities / Amenities

The campground has 46 tent/RV sites and 15 lean-to sites. Eight of the sites are designed to accommodate horse campers. All restrooms include flush toilets, hot and cold running water and coin-operated hot showers. A sanitary dump station is available, but there are no hook ups. There is a play area, horseshoe pits, a picnic pavilion, a pond for fishing and paddling, boat rentals, and access to miles of hiking trails.

Remote sites: Osmore Pond has seven remote campsites. Four are lean-to's and three are tent sites with platforms. Remote tent sites 15 & 16 have 10' x 12' platforms and site 17 has an 8' x 10' platform.

Horse camping: There is an eight-site horse camping area located in New Discovery State Park. The group camping area features metal paddocks, water spigot and trough for watering horses. Just up the roadway, and past the toilet/shower area, is a horse washing station. A manure cart is provided for each site and is emptied daily. Other pets are allowed at designated camp sites. There is a play area and miles of hiking on multiple use trails. To learn more, click here.

Groton Forest is the second largest state forest in Vermont with over 26,000 acres to explore. Trails for horseback riding in the park include gravel-surfaced roads, forest highways (logging roads), the VAST trails, and the Montpelier-Wells River Rail Trail. Horseback riders wishing to ride for the day can trailer their horses to the northern parking area near the entrance to New Discovery State Park, the Kettle Pond day use parking area, or at the public boat launch at the southern end of Ricker Pond. Riders can easily access the Montpelier- Wells River Rail Trail (Cross Vermont Trail) and forest and town roads from these locations.

Picnic pavilions: The park also has two picnic pavilions that can be rented. The Owl's Head Pavilion and the Osmore Pond Pavilion are both open-air log shelters with fireplaces and picnic tables. Osmore seats up to 100 people and has a restroom. Owls Head seats up to 50 and has a composting toilet nearby.

Learn more about picnic pavilions

Park Interpreter

This park has a park interpreter offering fun, hands-on activities in the new nearby Groton Nature Center. Interpreters are park staff solely dedicated to helping you learn more about the natural and cultural history of the park. Some popular activities include night hikes, nature crafts and games, campfire programs and amphibian explorations.

Check out the of current events to see some of the programs planned during your visit.