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Patrick
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TravelerPawtuckaway State Park Campground
Great spot with all types of different campsites.
Tent Camping near Derry, NH
1 campground with availability next weekend
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Tent campsites in the Derry, New Hampshire region span across several natural areas with options for different camping styles. Military Park New Boston Air Force Station Recreation Area offers tent-only camping in a wooded setting year-round, while Lost Boys Hideout, located approximately 20 miles northwest of Derry, provides walk-in tent sites with a more rustic backcountry experience. Cape Ann Camp Site, though farther away in Gloucester, Massachusetts, offers established tent camping with more amenities for those willing to travel.
Sites typically feature dirt surfaces with minimal grading, and access varies significantly between locations. Many primitive tent areas near Derry require campers to pack in their own water, as drinking water is not consistently available at all locations. Fire regulations differ by campground, with Lost Boys Hideout permitting campfires and providing firewood, while other areas may have seasonal restrictions. Most tent-only sites include picnic tables and basic amenities, though bathroom facilities range from composting toilets to none at all, requiring proper backcountry waste disposal techniques. According to one visitor at Lost Boys Hideout, "Improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided."
Areas farther from established campgrounds offer deeper seclusion for primitive tent camping experiences. The wooded terrain provides natural shade and privacy between sites at many locations, though proximity to neighbors varies significantly. Cape Ann Camp Site features more secluded tent sites compared to their RV areas, with one camper noting that sites are "surrounded by trees so it felt pretty private." Tent campers often appreciate the reduced noise and light pollution compared to developed RV campgrounds, particularly at more remote backcountry sites. Wildlife sightings are common at dawn and dusk, adding to the authentic outdoor experience that tent camping provides. Most locations require reservations, especially during peak summer months when tent sites fill quickly.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Derry (14)
1. Country Barn Motel & Campground
2. Military Park New Boston Air Force Station New Boston Recreation Area
3. 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
4. Lost Boys Hideout
Check AvailabilityAvailable next weekend
from $49 - $149 / night
5. 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."
6. Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground
"Campground review: Camping at Boston Harbor Islands requires some planning, but you get the benefit of a remote island with minimal company."
"This campground has 6 yurts and 6 tent sites. The yurts have bunk beds, a floor lamp, a table inside, a picnic table outside and a grill. Just getting to the island is a fun adventure."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $8 - $55 / night
7. 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!"
8. Crown Point Campground
9. Huttopia Southern Maine
Check Availabilityfrom $248 - $374 / night
10. Shady Point Beach & Campgrounds
Drive Time
- 13 min from Manchester, NH
- 45 min from Boston, MA
- 59 min from Worcester, MA
- 1 hr 48 min from Amherst Center, MA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Derry, NH
23 Photos of 14 Derry Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Derry, NH
714 Reviews of 14 Derry 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.
Myles T.TravelerSpacious Skies French Pond
Gorgeous pond filled with lily pads!
- DDwain S.
ScoutSalisbury Beach State Reservation
Showers were a bit cold. Site had rubbish scattered about.
Renee R.
GuideWinter Island Park
Cool location!
Hard to beat being right on the water with a lighthouse! But it's kind of a kooky campground.
Pros:
- Gorgeous views.
- Cute little trails.
- Super friendly staff.
- The bathrooms were always being cleaned (which is nice), but the bathrooms are dilapidated, so it's kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.
Cons:
- It's just an odd arrangement of sites. The RV area is a parking lot. Some tent sites don't allow cars on them. Our site #37 was cool, but right by the busy entrance.- As we stayed in October, the entire area is Halloween central. There were tour trolleys coming in all day, and since we were near the entrance we felt like animals in a zoo.
- As mentioned previously - the bathrooms could use a serious upgrade.
Guide to Derry
Tent camping near Derry, New Hampshire offers options within a 30-mile radius across southern New Hampshire and northeastern Massachusetts. The region sits at approximately 300 feet above sea level with mixed deciduous forests providing natural shelter at most tent sites. Summer nights typically range from 55-65°F even when daytime temperatures exceed 80°F, making proper sleeping gear necessary for comfortable overnight stays.
What to do
Explore historic forts: Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground provides access to abandoned military structures perfect for daytime exploration. "The island is beautiful and has an old fort to explore as well as a lot of Rocky shoreline and trails. You can build bon fires and see gorgeous sunsets," notes a camper at Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground.
Swimming in natural settings: Many tent camping areas provide access to swimming opportunities during summer months. Camp Nihan Education Center connects directly to Breakheart Reservation where families can enjoy "a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails and a range of different hikes."
Blackberry picking: Mid-August campers at Lost Boys Hideout can collect wild berries while exploring the property. The site features newly upgraded facilities and tent platforms not commonly found at more primitive sites in the region.
What campers like
Natural privacy: Unlike the RV-focused campgrounds in the region, tent sites often offer more seclusion. Cape Ann Camp Site is noted for its wooded setting where tent campers find "perfectly level site[s] in a beautiful wooded area," according to one visitor. The Cape Ann Camp Site layout places tent camping areas away from the main RV sections.
Beach proximity: Multiple tent camping options provide convenient beach access within a short drive. At Huttopia Southern Maine, campers appreciate the "manicured" grounds while having regional beach access for day trips.
Mulched tent sites: Improved camping surfaces at certain locations reduce mud issues during wet weather. A recent visitor to Lost Boys Hideout noted site improvements, stating "Nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site. Improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided!"
What you should know
Limited drinking water: Many tent sites near Derry have inconsistent water availability. While Lost Boys Hideout provides some water, campers heading to more remote sites should pack their own. Boston Harbor campers should note: "Make sure that you bring enough drinking water and that you are ok with using the composting bathroom or going in the woods."
Site availability challenges: Several campgrounds report booking confusion despite online reservation systems. One camper at Boston Harbor Islands noted: "When we got to the island we found that all of the sites had already been taken even though we had booked online months ahead."
Pay showers: Several campgrounds in the region use coin-operated shower systems. At Cape Ann Camp Site, "The showers require payment with quarters... I don't know how many quarters it takes because I don't carry change. So I washed my hair in the sink."
Tips for camping with families
All-ages activities: Some locations feature family-focused programming and facilities. At Salmon Falls River RV Resort, families find "Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun!"
Accessibility considerations: When camping with smaller children, consider proximity to parking areas. Camp Nihan Education Center offers "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," making it ideal for younger campers.
Plan transportation logistics: If using public transit or ferry systems to reach camping areas, pack minimally. A Boston Harbor Islands camper advises: "We live in Boston and took all of our gear on the T to the harbor by the aquarium. We then took the ferry...to Georges Island. After that we waited and got on a much smaller island to Lovells."
Tips from RVers
Limited tent-only opportunities: Most campgrounds near Derry are primarily RV-focused with tent sites as secondary options. This means tent campers should expect RV neighbors at most established sites. At Salmon Falls River RV Resort, "sites are close together and they are short staffed but other than that a great place!"
Alternative cooking solutions: Not all tent sites include standard fire rings or grills. At one Boston Harbor Island, a camper improvised: "We ended up making a fire pit on the beach and a flat rock 'grill' to make our burgers."
Mixed camping experiences: Tent campers report varying experiences at primarily RV-focused campgrounds. One Military Park New Boston Air Force Station Recreation Area visitor described it simply as a "Great Outdoor Place! Nice scenery with fresh air and freedom sunshine!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Derry, NH?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Derry, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Derry, NH is Country Barn Motel & Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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Derry, NH?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Derry, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Derry, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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