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TravelerPawtuckaway State Park Campground
Great spot with all types of different campsites.
Tent Camping near Auburn, NH
1 campground with availability next weekend
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Tent camping opportunities near Auburn, New Hampshire include several established sites within a 30-mile radius. The Lost Boys Hideout offers tent sites with amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water, while Military Park New Boston Air Force Station Recreation Area provides year-round tent camping in a more primitive setting. The rural landscape surrounding Auburn gives campers access to both developed campgrounds and more secluded options throughout southern New Hampshire.
Most tent sites in the Auburn area feature basic dirt or gravel pads surrounded by wooded terrain. Campgrounds like Cape Ann Camp Site, located about an hour southeast, offer more developed facilities with showers and toilets, though many closer options have limited amenities. A recent review noted that "sites are clean and quiet with beautiful tent sites" at some of the more established campgrounds in the region. Campers should verify drinking water availability before arrival, as several sites require bringing your own supply or filtering from natural sources. Summer and early fall provide the most reliable weather conditions, though some areas remain open year-round.
The backcountry tent camping experience varies significantly across sites near Auburn. Areas with walk-in access like Lost Boys Hideout generally provide more seclusion than drive-in campgrounds. "Simplicity at its best," mentioned one camper about the more primitive options available. Tent-only camping areas typically offer greater privacy compared to mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate RVs. The region features diverse terrain from relatively flat sites to more rugged settings with natural forest surroundings. Morning fog is common in low-lying areas near water sources, creating scenic conditions but potentially challenging tent setup. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, particularly during dry summer months, requiring campers to check current regulations before planning cooking arrangements.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Auburn (15)
1. Military Park New Boston Air Force Station New Boston Recreation Area
2. Country Barn Motel & Campground
3. Lost Boys Hideout
Check AvailabilityAvailable next weekend
from $49 - $149 / night
4. Cape Ann Camp Site
"Beautiful rural setting w/ open & tree shaded sites. Full, partial & no hook-up sites for rv’s & tent camping."
"Location works well. Very narrow road coming in after 128. More for smaller RVs and tent camping. Picnic tables could be replaced."
Check Availabilityfrom $36 - $44 / night
5. Salmon Falls River RV Resort and Family Campground
"Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun! Sites are close together and they are short staffed but other than that a great place!"
6. Crown Point Campground
7. Sweetwater
from $75 - $175 / night
8. Camp Nihan Education Center
"The group site is super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods."
9. Viewland Campground
10. Huttopia Southern Maine
Check Availabilityfrom $248 - $374 / night
Drive Time
- 3 min from Manchester, NH
- 50 min from Boston, MA
- 1 hr 5 min from Worcester, MA
- 1 hr 53 min from Amherst Center, MA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Auburn, NH
10 Photos of 15 Auburn Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Auburn, NH
787 Reviews of 15 Auburn Campgrounds
- k
kevinTravelerSpacious Skies Minute Man
Beautiful place about an hour from Salem Boston and Plymouth. Be careful getting in Sharp Hill coming up and down lots of scrapes on the ground tight navigation through sites lots of beautiful trees.
Nancy W.
LegendWinter Island Park
Basically a parking lot but with great views!
I’m not going to lie this was a little tricky for big rigs to get to, but with lots of patience and skillful driving, it is doable. Salem is an old New England town so there are many narrow streets and some low clearances. Follow the directions on the parks website as they are designed for RVs– don’t use Google Maps unless you are a small camper. Even getting into the park is kind of challenging because of the way the entrance is laid out with the entrance booth and some low hanging trees. This campground is in a municipal park with a marina, beach, a short walking trail, and picnic areas. The campground has different sections and totally different feels to them. We arrived on a weekend and section we were in the section which is in the parking lot of a busy marina. The parking lot was half full which made for navigating our 45’ bus into our site pretty hard.
No sites have fire pits but you can have a fire if you bring your own above ground pit. Tent sites have picnic tables but nothing else. Some sites you can drive to and have a car onsite and others are non-vehicle access sites (11, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27& 38) in which you have to park in a parking lot. Some RV sites have great water views and others are in a back gravel lot. In my opinion, the best RV sites are 12-16(A-D) because they have a water view. Sites 16B-D are a little tricky for big-rigs to get into because of the tight space. Our site (#13) had a slight downhill slope. We pulled in forward so we could have a view of the harbor which meant the utilities (water electric only) were in the front of our site but we were able to reach without an extension cord. We loved watching the action in the harbor. There is a gazebo by the water which we enjoyed siting under and watching boats go in and out of the harbor while it rained.
There is a nice sandy beach onsite which attracts a lot of day use vistors. The grounds are interesting to walk around as the water views are nice and there is an old fort to explore. Nearby town of Salem Willows is(about½ mile away) is a cute old seaside town with restaurants and arcades. They have a Bluebike rental station which is an easy way to get downtown and explore the area if you don’t have a car.
- Nancy W.Legend
Sea-Vu West Premier RV Resort
Pleasantly surprised.
This campground is mostly seasonal, privately owned park models, but has 45 spaces for RV’s. I was a little skeptical about staying at this campground with so many park models and seasonals but was pleasantly surprised at how nice, clean, and tidy all the sites were. They obviously take pride in how things look because the grounds and campsites were very well-kept.
All campsites are 50/30-amp full hook-up with level gravel pads with grassy patios, a picnic table, and fire pit. We stayed in site#702 which was long enough for our 45’ motorhome and tow car. All the utilities were easy to reach and the electric worked well. The only problem was that we were parked under a large oak tree that was profusely shedding large acorns. There are some sites that are in the open which I would definitely choose, if I came back in the fall. The campground is gated which is a nice feature. It is located a mile or so off Route 1 which means you don’t get the road noise and traffic, but still conveniently located near shops and restaurants.
One nice feature are the shaded walking trails in the park. While they are not super long, it is a nice change from walking the roads (which are paved). Other amenities include a decent size swimming pool (closed while we were there), a basketball court, playground, laundry, and camp store. I thought it was a little expensive at $75/night (for full hook-up) at the end of the season, especially since the pool was closed.
- Nancy W.Legend
Sun Outdoors Wells Beach
Tight sites and expensive, busy area along the Maine coast
We stopped here in the summer to check out the coastal towns in southern Maine. There are many campgrounds in the area and we chose this one because they had a 25% off coupon (on a 7-night stay) which gave us the best nightly price in the area. However, the nightly rate was still$74/night, one reason being they charge a “resort fee” of$15/day which is ridiculous. This is a typical resort-style campground with lots of amenities (most of which we never use). But, for some people, this is a destination campground because of all the amenities- a large heated swimming pool, basketball courts, sand volleyball, bocce, fitness center, two playgrounds, 18-hole minigolf (that you pay extra for), and more.
The campsites in the front of the park are sandwiched between the swimming pool and Route 1 which is very busy and noisy. Campsites in the far back portion of the campground are shaded and a much quieter section. Camping pads and patios are a mix of gravel and sand. Many sites have shade and some have an astroturf patio (I think those are “premium” sites). Our campsite was in the middle section which was fairly quiet but the sites are close together with no privacy. The site was a long and level pull thru with a gravel pad and gravel/sand patio. All sites have a picnic table and fire pit.
There is a tent-only section and they have renal cabins. There is lots to do for families in the area including the beach and amusement and water parks. Restaurants of all sorts are nearby. You can easily walk to Congdon’s Donuts which is a Maine classic.
- Nancy W.Legend
Seacoast Camping and RV Resort
Nice Campground, Love the area!
This is a nice, clean, well-maintained campground for RV and tenting. The campground is located on Route 1 which means you are convenient to a lot of things but there is lots of traffic. Half the campground is seasonal/long term campers and the other side is mostly transients. The roads and campsites are fine crushed gravel with nice grassy patios. The campground is very well maintained (the best part being that the mower collects they cut the grass so no clippings get tracked in your camper). There are some mature trees that provide shade but don’t impede navigating in and out of sites or impacting slide outs.
Campsites range from tent with water/electric to RV water/electric and RV full hook-up 50-amp and full hook-up 30-amp. There are three bathhouses on the property (one of which has a dishwashing sink) and laundry. Tent sites 50-55 are in an are set away from RV sites and more private. They are also close to a large bathhouse with multiple toilets and showers. Tent sites 90-100 are across from a large playground which can be quite chaotic, but if you have kids, this is a great spot.
Our site (#147) was a long pull-thru with a descent amount of space between our neighbors. We got about half a dozen over-the-air channels (one being a major network station) and were able to connect with eastern arc satellites with our Dish Satellite. The 50A electric was good as was the water pressure.
The campground does not have much in the way of amenities except for a game room, basketball court, and playground. The game room is pretty cool with lots of arcade-style games, a pool table, foosball, and table tennis. While we were there, they just finished putting in all new playground equipment and enlarged the size making it really big and a hit with the kids in the park. Once convenience is that maintenance picks up garbage at your site (between 8am– 3pm). Unfortunately, people leave them out after hours and animals got into them and scattered garbage everywhere. We've stayed here before and always enjoy being in the area as it is close to the fun cities of Portsmouth and Newburyport.
Devon B.
ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Play Games
The recreation hall was a nice surprise. We had some rainy weather one afternoon and the kids were able to play games while we relaxed for a bit. Saved the day honestly😂
Riley B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Spend A Few Days
We came up looking for a campground where we could actually spend a few days without constantly driving somewhere. Ended up fishing, swimming, walking along the river and exploring the area. The campground gave us plenty to do, but it was also nice having the option to just sit at the campsite and do nothing. Would definitley come back.
- RRachel J.Scout
Crow's Nest Campground
A Longer Stay
We have a big RV and had no trouble getting settled in. Having the full hookups made things super easy, especially for a longer stay.
Guide to Auburn
Tent camping options around Auburn, New Hampshire extend beyond established campgrounds into more rustic experiences at sites like Sweetwater and Viewland Campground. Most sites in the region sit at elevations between 300-500 feet with rolling terrain typical of southern New Hampshire's transitional forest zones. The camping season generally runs from mid-May through mid-October, with occasional facilities remaining accessible during winter months.
What to do
Pond swimming access: At Huttopia Southern Maine, campers appreciate the natural water features. "Grounds are manicured and aimed to be family friendly," notes reviewer A.C., who visited shortly after new ownership took over.
Environmental education: Camp Nihan Education Center offers nature programs alongside camping. "The camp is adjacent to Breakheart Reservation, which had a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails and a range of different hikes," explains Michael V., highlighting the educational opportunities within 30 minutes of Boston.
Local exploration: The best tent camping near Auburn, New Hampshire provides convenient access to nearby towns. Military Park New Boston Air Force Station Recreation Area sits just 15 minutes northwest of Auburn, allowing campers to experience what one visitor described as "Nice scenery with fresh air and freedom sunshine!"
What campers like
Natural setting: Tent sites at Cape Ann Camp Site offer more seclusion than RV areas. "The sites are nice and wooded. All size RVs and tents are welcome," notes Lajaun C., appreciating the natural surroundings approximately 60 miles southeast of Auburn.
Water activities: Salmon Falls River RV Resort provides multiple aquatic options. "Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!" reports Samantha N., who particularly enjoyed "the lazy river" during her stay.
Affordability: Several campgrounds near Auburn maintain reasonable pricing structures. "We paid $60 a night for a 30 amp spot with water," notes Ben E. about his experience at Cape Ann, highlighting the value even during peak season.
What you should know
Site conditions: The terrain around Auburn varies significantly by location. At Viewland Campground, campers should note that "The road to get to Viewland Campground is very steep," according to Kirsten J., who also mentioned the narrow access road.
Shower facilities: Many campgrounds in the region require quarters for showers. "The showers require payment with quarters. I don't know how many quarters it takes because I don't carry change," explains Ben E. about his experience at Cape Ann.
Seasonal availability: Most tent camping near Auburn operates seasonally. Cape Ann Camp Site runs from "May 15 - Oct 15," while Salmon Falls maintains a similar schedule, ensuring optimal weather conditions for campers.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused sites: When seeking the best tent camping near Auburn with children, prioritize campgrounds with structured recreation. "If you have young kids this place is so fun!" shares Samantha N. about Salmon Falls River RV Resort, listing multiple entertainment options beyond just camping.
Space considerations: Lost Boys Hideout offers upgraded amenities for families needing more comfort. "Nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site. Improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided!" notes Steve K. about recent enhancements.
Proximity to attractions: Position your family trip to minimize driving time between activities. Camp Nihan provides "a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails and a range of different hikes," offering contained recreation without requiring additional travel.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: RVers should research individual sites before arrival. "Campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs," notes Aaron G. regarding Salmon Falls, though he mentions that management changes affected some operational aspects.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary significantly across Auburn-area campgrounds. Cape Ann Camp Site offers full hookups in some areas, with one camper noting they provide "water, sewer, and electric hookups" though "No wifi" is available at the facility.
Year-round options: For extended-season RV camping near Auburn, Military Park New Boston Air Force Station Recreation Area remains open "All year" according to their official season information, providing options beyond the standard May-October window common to most sites in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Auburn, NH?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Auburn, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Auburn, NH is Military Park New Boston Air Force Station New Boston Recreation Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Auburn, NH?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Auburn, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Auburn, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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