Best Tent Camping near Lebanon, ME

Tent campsites within Lebanon, Maine provide options for nature-focused outdoor stays without excessive amenities. Salmon Falls River Camping Resort offers tent camping from May through mid-October with facilities including drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables. For those seeking more primitive experiences, the surrounding region features several tent-focused campgrounds like Huttopia Southern Maine in nearby Sanford, which accommodates walk-in tent camping with 107 sites on Sand Pond.

Road access to tent camping areas varies seasonally, with most sites accessible from late spring through early fall. Salmon Falls River Camping Resort provides tent pads with basic amenities including showers, toilets, and trash disposal. Walk-in tent sites at Huttopia Southern Maine require campers to park and carry gear a short distance to their campsite. Most tent-friendly campgrounds in the region maintain fire pits and sell firewood on-site, though fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Potable water is available at established campgrounds, but backcountry tent campers should bring water filtration systems, especially when camping near water sources.

The tent camping experience near Lebanon offers diverse settings from established campgrounds to more secluded options. Areas with tree cover provide welcome shade during summer months, while walk-in tent sites generally offer more privacy than drive-up locations. Tent campers at Swans Falls Campground in Fryeburg can access the Saco River, making it popular for paddling excursions. The campground features wooded sites with varying degrees of privacy. As one camper noted about a nearby campground, "We really enjoyed our stay here. The staff was friendly, the bathrooms and grounds were very clean, and we were still in nice wooded sites with an awesome space for the fire."

Best Tent Sites Near Lebanon, Maine (19)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 19 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Tent Camping Photos near Lebanon, ME

4 Photos of 19 Lebanon Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Lebanon, ME

911 Reviews of 19 Lebanon Campgrounds


  • L
    Aug. 20, 2021

    Desert of Maine Campground

    Aesthetically pleasing campground-- good for tent campers

    Desert of Maine campground is an excellent choice just 4-5 miles from the heart of Freeport at interstate exit # 22. This campground is well-imagined. Sites are close together, and some are small. There are 2 hike-in sites which are set apart. Wifi is provided throughout the campground and most sites have power. They must have studied "best practices" when designing this lovely campground. 

    I booked an extra night.

    This is an outdoor experience campground- not a wilderness adventure -- but perfect for young families…especially for those new to camping or those for whom a very sanitary classic bathroom is needed.Children find and entertain each other in the common area.

    Sites 19-27 face a shared square with excellent access to the modern and stylish bath house. Other sites have a somewhat further walk. Sites 17-27 are best for tents due to the configuration of the sites.. Tent sites # 2 & # 3 are short walk-in and very private, but lack easy access to the bath house. Almost all sites in this campground have shade and are under a beautiful canopy of old pine, maple and balsam.

    Site 24 is lovely & slightly set apart and cars are parked close by but not on the tent site. Site 27 is located down a steep slope and is very private but has difficult access. I would categorize site 27 as a hike-in site, but not # 24.  All sites are generally level and have been graded. Sites have scant privacy in front, but back up to forest. Sites 4, 6,17, 19, 23 & 26 have slightly more space but space is not the defining issue in this campground. RV's that are large should not try this campground. The maintenance is superb; and the thoughtful design of the overall campground is aesthetically pleasing. 

    This attractive campground is small-scale and personally managed. 

    Ice is available for purchase…as is wood. 

    Beware of speed trap on the 2 mile access road between the interstate & campground.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2024

    Beach Camping Area

    Motorcycle camping

    Next to river and had a major flood this spring. I was tent camping on motorcycle and tent site are on dirt due to flood. Tent Site consists of picnic table. No water or sewer or electrical. $43 a night and bring quarters for shower. Clean restrooms and showers but I feel way over priced for what was offered. Should have looked for alternate.

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2022

    Paugus Brook Farm

    Great field camping at a great location

    I stayed here tent camping on the way to some fishing on the Saco River.

    The location is a great place to either explore the immediate area (Mount Chocorua and Chocorua Lake) or head further north to Conway and North Conway).

    The camping area is a field in the back with fairly level ground and lots of space, and is a very short walk from the designated parking area.

    The outhouse is brand new and super clean and right nearby, though there are no picnic tables and fires aren’t permitted due to area fire restrictions.

    Communication with the host was fast and helpful.

  • d
    Jun. 18, 2018

    Passaconaway Campground

    clean and convenient

    This is a first come campground, which means that you can't make a reservation in advance. I arrived on a Saturday in June a little after 9am and had not problem getting a site, the place was mostly empty at that time. In order to reserve the site you must find an empty site, and leave something there (ie: your tent) to signify to others that the site is taken, then you need to pay in the little envelope at the front gate.

    I had site 11, which is in the smaller of the two loops, close to both the bathroom (outhouse) and water spigot. Since I was only staying for one night, I liked being close to these. It was a bit buggy in the morning setting up my tent, and also making dinner. Once the sun went down the mosquitos settled and it was fin.

    There is no camp store or anything here, so make sure to by your firewood or anything you need on your way through town and bring it with you. Also the ground here is quite packed down and hard, so make sure to be prepared with a good sleeping pad. sites do have a picnic table and fire ring.

    Over all this was a great campground, and very convenient to hike hedgehog and/or potash in the morning directly across the street, or numerous other great hiking trails along 112.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 29, 2020

    White Ledge Campground

    Rustic with road noise, but great location for hiking, climbing, exploring

    White Ledge Campground is in the White Mountain National Forest and should not be confused with nearby White Lake State Park. Located a few miles south of the Kancamagus and Conway, you have ready access to the Carter Ledge trail up Mt Chocurua or shorter loop trails. 

    The sites are generally large and wooded. Designated tent sites are not suitable for RVs/trailers because the site may require a short walk or steps. Facilities include potable water and vault toilets. There are no hookups and no dump station. The lack of amenities contributes to the low fee of$20/night, though online reservation fees will add somewhat to that. If you want a shower, they are available at Jigger Johnson campground along the Kancamagus Hwy, about 20 minutes away.

    If you head up on a holiday weekend, get an early start or be ready for traffic. The loop for sites 14-28 parallels NH16; you WILL hear and even see road traffic and Rte 16 is busy.  Sites 2-5 are more open, larger, and suitable for RV or tent. Site 10 is a nicely wooded, level site for tent or RV. About half the sites are reservable. The campground is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

  • Matthew D.
    Jul. 3, 2018

    Jigger Johnson Campground

    Simple Campground

    Stayed for an overnight trip. Site #47. Drive in, pick an open camp spot and pay for the nights by the front board. Clean area, some more open and several with in walking distance of the river. Picnic table with fire ring. Bath rooms were clean, didn’t use the showers but they do offer them. Three host locations for questions. Trails leading off in different directions.

    Some sites have more privacy. The inside locations had more of the trees cut down directly around them. No noise problems at night or in the morning. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a campground.

  • Heather P.
    Jul. 2, 2018

    White Lake State Park Campground

    Pristine clear lake with view of white mountains

    Primitive large campsites, no hookups...no water, no cable, no electric. Clean bathrooms and pay showers. Been camping here for over 30 years..in a tent originally and now a 30 ft trailer..been to many campgrounds with lots of amenities and activities and our kids would rather be here than anywhere else. Now our children will bring their children here, it feels like our second home.

  • Kirsten J.
    Jul. 10, 2022

    Passaconaway Campground

    Great trees, quiet campground!

    Passaconaway is a smaller campground, having only 33 sites.  Interestingly enough, sites 1- 4 are walk-in sites, so there is a community parking area and then you walk to your site.  Each site has a picnic table and firepit , spigots are located throughout the campground and site 21 has your firewood for sale ($8 per bundle).  No cell service...AT ALL.  

    We liked this campground because it was close to the Sugar Hill scenic view and it has MANY old mature trees.  There were also quite a mix of campers.  Tent campers, a few RV's, hammocks and several rooftop tents were in our loop.  There was no shower :( but with the proximity to great hiking, we could rinse off in the creek!

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2018

    Squam Lakes Association

    Boat in & Hike In Camping Along Squam Lake

    Simple, but gorgeous. The association maintains about a dozen campsites in the Squam Lake area -- some hike-in and others boat-in only. There are some with tent platforms and all have fire rings (camping fee includes 1 bundle of firewood). There is a composting toilet in each camping area, but no picnic table or drinking water. Come prepared with your own water...or a filter.

    We did not camp here, as we came across these campsites while hiking and canoeing with some friends who have a cabin in the area. The sites are pricey and fill up quickly when reservations open for the year on Feb 15, but the money supports the conservation of the area via the Squam Lakes Association.

    The area offers water sports of all kinds, amazing views, spectacular hiking and backpacking in the White Mountains and some cute little villages along the local highways. Nearest town is Meredith, about 10 minutes away, and has all that you need for your camping trip.


Guide to Lebanon

Lebanon, Maine tent camping offers varied overnight options within a landscape of rolling hills and forests. Situated near the New Hampshire border, Lebanon's elevation averages 500 feet, creating moderate temperatures ideal for tent camping from late spring through fall. Sites range from established campgrounds with full amenities to more primitive setups with water views and hiking access.

What to do

Canoe or kayak the Saco River: Put in at Swans Falls Campground in Fryeburg for water adventures. "Small beach/canoe put in at river was nice. This campground allows day use and kayak/canoe launching. On weekends there's a huge line up of people putting in to float down the river," notes K.R.

Explore nearby White Mountains: Camp at Paugus Brook Farm as a base for hiking Mount Chocorua. "The location is a great place to either explore the immediate area (Mount Chocorua and Chocorua Lake) or head further north to Conway and North Conway)," reports Justin P.

Visit Old Orchard Beach: Stay at Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach for beach access. "This campground is four miles from Old Orchard Beach which is a trip. It is a throw-back from your childhood when carnival rides and funnel cakes made you so happy," writes Nancy W. "In the summer there is a shuttle that takes you to the beach which is convenient."

What campers like

Private wooded sites: Many tent campers prefer the secluded areas at Squam Lakes Association. "Simple, but gorgeous. The association maintains about a dozen campsites in the Squam Lake area -- some hike-in and others boat-in only. There are some with tent platforms and all have fire rings," shares Shari G.

Clean facilities: Tent campers consistently mention bathroom cleanliness as important. "The bathrooms were the cleanest I've seen camping and the staff was incredibly friendly!" reports Brittany M. about Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach.

Recreation amenities: Campgrounds with on-site activities receive positive feedback. "A little of everything at this campground, 2 pools 2 hot tubes, a giant water slide that is even fun for the adults!!! Campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs," says Aaron G. about Salmon Falls River RV Resort.

What you should know

Seasonal considerations: Most tent camping near Lebanon operates May through mid-October. Huttopia Southern Maine runs "Mother's Day to Columbus Day" with 107 sites available for tent camping on Sand Pond.

Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. "The sites are pricey and fill up quickly when reservations open for the year on Feb 15," notes Shari G. about Squam Lakes Association.

Toilet facilities vary: Know what to expect before booking. Squam Lakes Association provides "a composting toilet in each camping area, but no picnic table or drinking water. Come prepared with your own water...or a filter."

Fire restrictions: Rules vary by location and season. Paugus Brook Farm notes "fires aren't permitted due to area fire restrictions" while most established campgrounds allow fires in designated rings.

Tips for camping with families

Look for kid-specific amenities: When planning tent camping trips with children, facilities matter. "If you have young kids this place is so fun! Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun!" shares Samantha N. about Salmon Falls River RV Resort.

Consider cabin options: For less experienced family campers, cabins provide a middle ground. "K16 was a single room cabin that could comfortably sleep 4, furnished with a full-sized bed and a bunk bed. We were shocked to find that the cabin had electrical, lights and a small heater," writes Rachel P. about Sun Outdoors Saco.

Book sites away from common areas: Request tent sites farther from facilities for earlier quiet hours. "We lucked out with our cabin and the cul-de-sac it was in. It overlooked the woods and was a bit more secluded than many of the other sites," adds Rachel P.

Tips from RVers

Confirm site dimensions: Call ahead to verify tent camping areas can accommodate your setup. "Campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs," notes Aaron G. about Salmon Falls River RV Resort.

Check for tent-specific amenities: Some primarily RV-focused campgrounds still offer good tent camping. "We stayed for 3 nights in a pop-up while my mother rented a cabin. We loved that were able to stay right next to each other and were still in nice wooded sites with an awesome space for the fire," reports Erin M.

Consider site location carefully: Request tent sites away from larger RVs. "The staff was very friendly and when I called to book the site, they assisted in helping us pick out the nicest campsite," writes Ben P. about their tent camping experience at Sun Outdoors Saco.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lebanon, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lebanon, ME is Salmon Falls River RV Resort and Family Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Lebanon, ME?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Lebanon, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.