Best Tent Camping near Barrington, NH

Barrington, New Hampshire provides tent campers with several established campgrounds within reasonable driving distance. While tent sites in Barrington proper are limited, nearby options include Viewland Campground and Lost Boys Hideout, both offering primitive tent camping experiences in natural settings. These tent-specific areas provide alternatives to the more developed RV-focused campgrounds that predominate in the region.

Most tent-only sites near Barrington feature basic amenities with varying levels of accessibility. Walk-in tent sites at Lost Boys Hideout require a short hike to reach camping areas, adding a backcountry feel while remaining relatively accessible. According to one visitor, the site has "nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site" with "improvements to the firepit, area all mulched." Fire rings are standard at most tent campgrounds, though restrictions may apply during dry periods. Many locations permit alcohol and are pet-friendly, but facilities like showers and flush toilets are less common at the more primitive locations. Campers should verify seasonal availability as several sites operate only from May through October.

Tent campers seeking solitude will find the walk-in requirements at certain sites help maintain a quieter atmosphere compared to drive-in options. The terrain varies from flat, cleared tent pads to more natural settings with forest duff or uneven ground. In some locations, proximity to water features enhances the camping experience, though this also means preparing for seasonal insects. A visitor commented that Lost Boys Hideout offers "simplicity at its best" for those seeking a more authentic outdoor experience. For those willing to venture slightly farther from Barrington, Squam Lakes Association provides more remote backcountry tent camping accessible by boat or hiking trails, with primitive toilet facilities but requiring campers to carry in their own water and carry out all trash.

Best Tent Sites Near Barrington, New Hampshire (16)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Barrington, NH

800 Reviews of 16 Barrington Campgrounds


  • Emma N.
    May. 24, 2018

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Secluded Sites

    The night before hiking Mount Monadnock, my husband and I camped here. Monadnock State Park is about a 25 minute drive from the campground, and provides a beautiful hike. The RV sites at Greenfield State Park were relatively secluded, as it is a very wooded area. We visited very early in the season, so the main tent camping loops were blocked off for maintenance. Our site had a picnic table and a fire ring. We drove by a shower facility and a building with restrooms. The restrooms were still locked for the winter, so there were a few port-a-potties right outside- these were absolutely disgusting. It looked as though they had not been cleaned out all winter. Otherwise, the campground seemed nice! Just don’t forget to bring some bug-spray for those New Hampshire mosquitos!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • M.A.D. P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2023

    Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    Large and friendly park with plenty of water activity opportunities

    My first time experiencing a park in the New Hampshire Park system. We went down with a group. Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone. The park includes a large family beach on the lake. There are many opportunities for hiking, with trails leading to many special points of interest, including a mountaintop fire tower; an extensive marsh where beavers, deer, and great blue herons may be seen.

    The park lines the shore of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake.  The 192 sites are wooded and many provide views of the lake.  Each campsite has an open fire ring, picnic table, flat areas for a tent, and a parking space. The bathhouses are equipped with running water, flush toilets, and 24 hour showers.  There are no hook-ups at any of the campsites. The park also has a camp store where canoe and kayaks are available, as well as a plublic canoe and kayak launch. Five cabins are available; each sleeps six people, has electricity, and includes a fire ring and picnic table. Pets are not allowed in the campground or beach area of the park.

  • Migdalia G.
    May. 29, 2019

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Nice Wooded Campground in Awesome Area

    We stayed at Harold Parker State Forest Campground during Memorial Day Weekend. Reservation through Reserve America was a breeze. Check in till 9:00 pm was convenient. Checkout by 11:00 am but we paid for an additional night to be able to leave at night the day we checked out. Totally worth it!

    Nice large campsites. The sites’ privacy is very diverse. You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose but they are all pretty decent in size. All sites have water which is a plus. All have a fire pit/box, charcoal bbq and a picnic table. Most of them are drive in. 

    Quiet hours from 10 am to 7 am. No alcohol allowed (although I didn’t see an actual enforcement of this rule and guess it’ll happen only if people act out). Rangers are constantly patrolling. Felt pretty safe at night. You can’t bring wood. Bundles are $5 each and it burns really well. 

    Lots of biking/hiking/walking trails, a nice small pond/beach, boat access, a few basketball courts, a volleyball court and a common huge fire pit added to the fun. A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike. 

    Bathrooms were fairly clean although small and showers were free! Some sites were right in front of a lovely pond and there were many group sites available as well. 

    The location is pretty good. Salem, Andover, Boston Are accesible while staying here. Close proximity to Richardson Ice Cream which you CANT miss if you decide to stay.  They have cheap but amazing ice cream, mini golf and battling cages which was entertaining for my whole crew. 

    It rained a lot during one night of our stay and the site (301) did not flooded at all. All sites seemed in pretty good shape the morning after as well. 

    Beautiful and will recommend to families with small kids, groups and couples too.

  • 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.

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Cape Ann Camp Site

    25 cents for a shower

    The aerial photos of this place are very deceiving. This camp ground is the foreground of the main house which, is situated on the top of the hill. The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads. There is no WIFI. There is no sewer hook up however, near the street there is a "dump station."  The camp ground is run down and unmaintained. Our site had a fire ring which, was filled with ash. Our first night we woke up to a trailer filled with smoke because, someone near by had a fire in 92 degree heat. Most campers are full time residents. There is no sight of them during the day light hours but, at night they are up and about on bikes and mingling with each other. 

    25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom. Some shady people immediate started to hover near the public restroom once we drove up the hill to use the public restrooms. For $70/nite for a view it's not worth it. I was glad to leave- very creepy.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 28, 2023

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Loved it here

    We stayed here for a night in mid October, as they were getting ready to close for the season, so more than half of the campground was closed off. But the part that we did see was awesome. Each site was huge, separated from its neighbor, private, mostly flat, and beautiful. No hookups in the campground, and sites are hit or miss with tree coverage, some sites may have enough opening for solar or starlink, but I wouldn’t count on it. 

    There are hiking trails throughout the campground, but our dog got covered in ticks so watch for that. There are water spigots throughout the campground and a dump station. Showers were free and nice and clean, and you can control the temperature and let the water run (no button to push). 

    The dump truck driver was there picking up garbage and I asked him about recycling and he said they have their own transfer station where the waste is sorted, so all recycling and garbage goes into the dumpster. 

    We paid $23 for a site because it was primitive season, but I think normally it’s $25. No other taxes or fees were charged. There’s a little store in the ranger office with basic supplies and gifts, ice cream, fire starters, ice, etc. There’s also a little free library exchange behind the office. And to top it off, we had cell service here. Great stay, highly recommend! Beware of ticks!

  • Jessica N.
    Sep. 13, 2021

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Great Park, big sites

    Stayed for a weekend (1 night). Easy access to a bathroom (which was very clean). Quiet neighbors, everyone around us observed the quiet hours (10p-7a) and even during the day no one was super loud. Very respectful drivers made biking feel fun and safe for kids. Campers beach was lovely. Sure the water was a little weedy, but we didn’t mind. The lake is a great spot for kayaking (although it is a little bit of a walk from the parking lot with a heavy boat) and the sunset on the lake definitely didn’t disappoint. Nice partially shaded and level site with good access for backing in our small trailer. Playground, camp store, convenient check-in at office, firewood available for $6, lots of trails and fairly level for easy biking. State park camping (no hookups) but there’s a dump station near the exit and water spigots dispersed around the campsites. Absolutely would go again.


Guide to Barrington

Tent camping options near Barrington, New Hampshire extend beyond the immediate town limits to encompass several scenic areas within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at elevations ranging from 400-700 feet above sea level, with humid summer conditions typically reaching 75-85°F between June and August. Winter camping isn't common in this area, with most campgrounds operating seasonally from May through October due to New England's cold temperatures and heavy snowfall.

What to do

Beach access: Within driving distance of the best tent camping near Barrington, New Hampshire, campers can visit beaches at nearby lakes and coastal areas. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach provides "a trolley that will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach," according to Jill P., making this a convenient option for tent campers without vehicles.

Hiking opportunities: Many campsites connect to trail systems suitable for day hikes. Squam Lakes Association offers "beautiful trails, excellent kayaking, quiet and serene," as Jen S. notes about their backcountry camping experience. The network of trails around Squam Lake provides varied difficulty levels for hikers of all abilities.

Swimming spots: Natural swimming areas provide relief during summer months. Campers at Huttopia Southern Maine can enjoy on-site swimming at Sand Pond. One visitor, A.C., mentioned the "grounds are manicured and aimed to be family friendly," making it an excellent option for swimming with children.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many tent campers value separation from neighbors when selecting campgrounds. Cape Ann Camp Site offers "great sites with A LOT of space between them" according to John S., while Cristina P. describes it as "a nice perfectly level site in a beautiful wooded area," highlighting the natural setting that provides privacy.

Fire pit features: Quality fire rings enhance the camping experience. At Lost Boys Hideout, recent upgrades include "improvements to the firepit, area all mulched," as noted by Steve K., creating a more comfortable gathering space for evening campfires.

Natural terrain: The landscape at tent sites varies across the region. Shari G. describes Squam Lakes Association sites as "simple, but gorgeous" with "some with tent platforms and all have fire rings," noting that the camping fee includes one bundle of firewood at these remote sites.

What you should know

Bathroom facilities: Comfort facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. Cape Ann Camp Site offers "clean bathrooms and pay showers (5 cents)," according to Della S., though Rebecca S. notes the "facilities are on the old side."

Reservation requirements: Many popular tent sites book quickly during peak season. At Squam Lakes Association, sites "fill up quickly when reservations open for the year on Feb 15," as Shari G. points out, so planning ahead is essential for securing spots at the most desirable locations.

Site access challenges: Some tent-focused campgrounds require effort to reach. Military Park New Boston Air Force Station New Boston Recreation Area provides a more remote experience away from crowds, with Shuang W. describing it simply as a "great outdoor place" with "nice scenery."

Water availability: Not all tent sites provide drinking water. At Squam Lakes Association, there's "no picnic table or drinking water. Come prepared with your own water...or a filter," explains Shari G., highlighting the need for self-sufficiency at more primitive sites.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer programming specifically for children. At Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach, "kid activities were done regularly" and they have "outdoor movies," according to Jill P., making it easier to entertain children throughout your stay.

Campground layout considerations: The physical arrangement of campsites affects the family camping experience. Viewland Campground has evolved into what Kirsten J. describes as "an established community of people that reside on a permanent or semi-permanent basis," which might not suit families seeking a traditional camping experience.

Swimming options for children: Water access is important for family camping during warm weather. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach includes multiple water features, with Samantha N. noting: "If you have young kids this place is so fun! Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!!"

Bathroom proximity: Families with young children often prefer sites near restrooms. When camping with families at Cape Ann Camp Site, note that there are "several bathroom locations throughout" according to Ben E., allowing for easier middle-of-the-night bathroom trips.

Tips from RVers

Site limitations: Tent campers should understand that some campgrounds primarily serve RVs. At Salmon Falls River RV Resort and Family Campground, Aaron G. notes that "campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs," but tent campers should request sites specifically designated for tents.

Tent-only sections: Many mixed-use campgrounds designate specific areas for tent camping. At Cape Ann Camp Site, "the RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites," according to Della S., suggesting tent campers will find more privacy than their RV counterparts.

Amenity access: Facilities designed for RVs can benefit tent campers too. At Salmon Falls River RV Resort, Samantha N. enjoyed amenities like "the lazy river," which tent campers can access alongside RV guests, providing additional recreation options beyond standard tent camping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Barrington, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Barrington, NH 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 Barrington, NH?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Barrington, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.