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.
