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Dover, New Hampshire and the surrounding area feature a variety of campground options within a short drive of the city. Old Stage Campground, located directly in Dover, provides tent, RV, and cabin camping with wooded sites near a small river. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, situated about 20 miles west of Dover, offers lakeside camping with tent, RV, and cabin accommodations in a forested setting. Several mixed-use campgrounds in the region accommodate multiple camping styles, with most facilities operating seasonally from May through September or October.
Most campgrounds in the Dover area require reservations, particularly for weekend stays during the peak summer season. The camping season typically runs from May through October, with many facilities closing after Columbus Day weekend. Water and electric hookups are common at developed campgrounds, though sewer connections are less prevalent. Weather conditions remain favorable for camping throughout the summer months, with cooler temperatures in spring and fall. Cell phone coverage varies throughout the region, with spotty service in more remote areas. A visitor noted that "sites are narrow but wooded. Bathrooms are modern and spotless. The pond is tranquil and our site was right on the pond."
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the region, with several campgrounds offering lake or pond access. Beaver Dam Campground in nearby Berwick, Maine provides tranquil pond-side sites approximately 15 miles from Dover. Bear Brook State Park Campground, located about 25 miles west, features multiple ponds, extensive trail systems, and diverse recreational opportunities. Campers frequently mention the clean facilities and family-friendly atmosphere at many of the developed campgrounds. A review highlighted that "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." The proximity to coastal areas and urban centers like Portsmouth provides additional recreational options for campers based near Dover.
"Driving around this past weekend I did notice that some of the sites had damp spots; site 71 was the worst with deep mud on the long approach."
"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."
from $35 - $140 / night
Check Availability"Walking distance to rest rooms and showers. Great owners. 1st trip in a hurricane."
"Learning to get away from the bad campers."
from $43 - $47 / night
Check Availability"We had bathrooms located near our site. They were four separate bathrooms that had a sink and toilet and were clean. They did offer showers in another area but I did not use them."
"Our full hookup site was very close to other sites, so unfortunately we had to deal with some noise issues."
from $48 - $97 / night
Check Availability"Small quiet campground not too far from Dover, NH. Sites are narrow but wooded. Bathrooms are modern and spotless. Owners on site are wonderful."
"Campground is superior in its warmth, cleanliness, dog friendly and access to points of interest."
"Had to walk around to find signal for phone call."
"Sites are wide I parked my truck next to camper and still had enough space for a safe fire in the pit."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"So clean, friendly staff and plenty to do here or close by. Minutes away from some very nice beaches"
"Their location is close to Hampton Beach and Rye sea walk and good restaurants including a doughnut shop within walking distance."
"You are steps away from the beach from the time you arrive to the time you departed the staff is always available and always willing to help, answer any questions and give recommendations where to go eat"
"Love the location & the town of York! The views are beautiful!"
from $50 - $125 / night
Check Availability"Tucked away in what feels like the middle of nowhere New Hampshire is it's largest state park. Bear Brook is full of trails, ponds and a fairly large campground."
"Site 91 is near the entrance, but large and set back from the camp road, so it offers some extra seclusion. It’s across the street from the playground."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"We were able to book last minute and got a great tenting site, next to a running river that was great to sleep to. Very buggy, but it's outside, what do you expect?"
"Staff was very friendly and extremely cautious about their surroundings. Plenty of things to do to stay busy during the rainy days."
"There is even hot water to wash your dishes next to the bathrooms. They sell ice, wood ($7) and many "I forgots" in the store (bacon, milk, etc...). "
"Our plan was to spend two nights for a rest from driving. The day spent here was to wander along the coast and bask in the sea air. So this was a pretty good campground for that purpose."
RangerLOVE this campground. Beautiful grounds with campsites nestled in a hemlock pine forest with lots of forest all around. So peaceful. Full hookup. Nearby Kennebunk and Kennebunk Port. No hiking trail on the grounds but many a short drive away. Pickleball and disc golf nearby. Only bummer was we wish we stayed longer. We would love to return for a week or more!
ScoutThis RV park was a small little park with a little lake to fish and swim (if you're brave enough) Overall had a pleasant experience until 2 weeks after we had left.
After paying and calling to ensure we were all squared away before leaving with a good to go and a zero-dollar balance, we left. 2 weeks later they charged my card again without letting me know. I figured it must have been a mistake since I had the paperwork with a zero-dollar balance AND I called to ensure we were all set.
Turns out it was purposeful- management decided that there was an additional admin fee after I had left the property. Note that this was not anything to do with any mess or damage left behind -That I could completely understand but this was a random additional charge. They went ahead and charged without any warning and with no real explanation.
I stayed here for 2 months and the first month had no such issues and no additional payments due.
If you stay here- be aware that they can charge your card EVEN IF you call and make sure you are all set AND have proof of a zero dollar balance.
They will say its in the contract and while there is an admin fee section in the contract- it does not state anywhere that it will be charged later, not included in your original bill or anything that would make charging your card randomly acceptable - especially with a zero dollar balance.
I'm not sure how many times they do this to people but the charge was on the smaller side, so they probably get away with this A LOT.
ScoutWe brought the boat along and having water access added an entirely different dimension to the trip. Instead of loading everything into the truck and driving somewhere for the day, we could make being on the water part of the camping experience itself.
ScoutThis is our 2nd year as seasonal campers and it is wonderful. The seasons sites are very spacious and most have plenty of shade/sun. The transient site are not as spacious but have grassy areas and plenty of sun. There are no tent sites at this time
GuideBeautiful park! Real contact with nature, super safe... get ready to walk.
GuideThis is a nice campground with 90% permanent upscale sites. Don’t let that deter you, the nightly spots are concentrated have excellent natural surroundings. Decent size spaces and mostly level. Workers were nice and many things to do.
ScoutCoffee by the water before anyone else in our camper woke up. That alone made the trip worth it.
ScoutWe have family around Nashua but wanted to bring the RV rather than stay at someone’s house for several days. This turned out to be a great arrangement. We could spend the day visiting everyone and then come back to our own space at night. It also meant nobody had to rearrange their house for us, which I’m sure they appreciated as much as we did.
ScoutWe had plans on both sides of the state line, so the location worked really well for our trip. We spent one day around Massachusetts and another up toward New Hampshire without having to relocate the RV. Nice option if your trip isn’t centered around just one destination.
The Dover area offers several tent, RV, and cabin camping spots within 30 miles of the city. Located in southeastern New Hampshire's Seacoast region, the area features both wooded inland campgrounds and coastal access points. Camping season typically runs May through October with average summer temperatures ranging from 60-80°F, while overnight temperatures can drop to 50°F even in summer months.
River activities: At Old Stage Campground in Dover, campers can enjoy the small river that runs alongside the property. "We stayed at this campground for a month and a half while we finished up our obligations before we hit the road full time. The sites were spacious in wooded area near a small river," notes one visitor.
Water recreation: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers multiple water activities with equipment rentals. "This a a fantastic little camp for if you want to go canoeing or kayaking or boating of any kind! It's set up of three islands and a large majority of the campsites are right on the water," shares a camper.
Mountain biking: The extensive trail system at Bear Brook State Park, approximately 25 miles from Dover, provides excellent opportunities for mountain bikers. "The biking trails were a blast. We'll definitely be back again," writes one visitor, while another adds, "Mountain biking is awesome here, can ride right off the campground and onto the trails!"
Beach access: Coastal campgrounds like Sea Coast Camping provide easy access to New Hampshire beaches. A reviewer notes its "location is close to Hampton Beach and Rye sea walk and good restaurants including a doughnut shop within walking distance."
Waterfront sites: The lakefront sites at Pawtuckaway State Park are particularly popular among campers. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" writes one visitor. Another mentions, "If you plan ahead and get a water front site it's amazing... but all the sites are roomy and lovely to camp at!"
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds in the region maintain high standards of cleanliness. "This is one of the cleanest, most meticulously maintained campground we have been to. So quiet and peaceful as well," reports a visitor to Sea Coast Camping.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. A camper at Bear Brook State Park recalls, "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird." Another visitor to Pawtuckaway mentions, "I forgot the daily visits from the ducks, like clockwork morning and dusk a family of ducks visited looking for grub."
Proximity to attractions: The strategic location of Beaver Dam Campground offers easy access to coastal towns. "It is 9 miles from Wells Maine which is on the ocean. LOTS OF GREAT restaurants there and nearby, like Ogunquit Maine and York Maine, etc. About an hour from Freeport Maine, Also Portland is not far and great food there."
Site privacy varies: Campground layouts differ significantly across the region. At Old Stage Campground, "The sites were spacious in wooded area," while at Wakeda Campground, "Great employees, clean reliable power. No issues great spread out sites."
Bugs can be challenging: The wooded environment can mean dealing with insects. One camper at Old Stage Campground mentioned, "The bugs, however, really prevented us from enjoying spending time outdoors."
Seasonal population: Many campgrounds host numerous seasonal campers. A visitor to Old Stage noted, "The majority of the campground were seasonal campers who had really settled in. We felt a little out of place."
WiFi limitations: Internet connectivity can be spotty at many campgrounds. At Wellington Camping Park, a visitor reported: "Wi-Fi is barely usable after 8am. And phone signal is spotty at best. Had to walk around to find signal for phone call."
Mixed staff experiences: Camper interactions with staff vary by campground and timing. One Old Stage Campground visitor reported, "Our experience with the staff and owners was hit or miss. Sometimes they were extremely nice and friendly, other times it was like they were looking for an argument."
Water activities: Salmon Falls / Lebanon KOA offers numerous water-based recreational options. "This Campground is family friendly and has a lot to offer. Our camping group consisted of children from the ages of 8-17 yrs old. No one was bored," shares a visitor. Another adds, "Very big campground with a nice water park for kids."
Playground access: When selecting a site, consider proximity to play areas. At Bear Brook State Park, one camper advised, "I'd avoid site 93 because it is so close to the playground and the fire ring placement makes it seem like families enjoying the playground will be tempted to walk through your site."
Kid-friendly atmosphere: Some campgrounds specifically cater to families with children. Old Stage Campground received this review: "Kid. Accommodating. Family friendly. Kid infested. Safe. Scenic. Perfect."
Beach options: Pawtuckaway State Park provides swimming areas suitable for children. A visitor notes, "Kayaking, swimming area and hiking were all 5 stars!" Another mentions, "The beach was clean."
Site selection: At Bear Brook State Park Campground, RVers should choose sites carefully. "I noticed that the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit (I was towing a 14' teardrop, not a big trailer) and I had to be careful to swing wide at the corner."
Seasonal considerations: Off-season camping provides a different experience. A camper at Bear Brook noted, "We went in early May, when it was still a bit cold at night (in the low 40s) and not many people were around. The campground, though we had neighbors in every adjoining site, was pretty quiet."
Hookup availability: Sea Coast Camping recently added improved RV accommodations. "The park recently added new 50-amp full hook-up sites (some of which are pull-thrus) so there are plenty of options for big-rigs."
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds may present challenges. A visitor to Old Stage Campground mentioned, "The road in is dirt but is mostly level."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Dover, NH for tent camping?
For tent camping near Dover, Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers a lovely wooded setting with large, level sites. Many sites have water access, and the park provides swimming, hiking, kayaking, and fishing opportunities. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the variety of landscapes and extensive trail system. Another excellent option is Bear Brook State Park Campground, New Hampshire's largest state park. This secluded campground features trails, ponds, play structures, a camp store, beach, and even a baseball diamond. Both parks are popular during peak season, so advance reservations are recommended for securing the best sites.
What family-friendly camping options are available in and around Dover, NH?
Families camping near Dover have several excellent options. Beaver Dam Campground offers a quiet, wooded setting with modern, spotless bathrooms and tranquil pond-side sites. The on-site owners provide exceptional service, making it perfect for families seeking a peaceful retreat. Another great choice is Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages, a small family-owned property offering stunning views of a New Hampshire pond. Families wanting more amenities might consider Wellington Camping Park, which features reservable sites with water and toilet facilities, suitable for both tent and RV camping. Most family-friendly campgrounds in the area provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails or water activities.
Are there any RV rental options available in Dover, New Hampshire?
While Dover itself has limited RV rental services, nearby campgrounds offer RV accommodations that can be more convenient than traditional rentals. Beach Rose RV Park provides a simple, clean RV setup with a pool and proximity to the New Hampshire coastline. For those seeking more amenities, Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort offers a massive 300-site property on nearly 200 acres along a beautiful lake. Located between the Lakes Region and White Mountains, this resort provides plenty of activities both within and outside the campground. For RV rentals, check with these campgrounds directly or look into RV sharing platforms that connect owners with renters in the Dover area.
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