Best Tent Camping near Lebanon, ME

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.