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Best Tent Camping near Durham, NH

714 Reviews

Tent campers near Durham, New Hampshire have several established campgrounds within driving distance, including Squam Lakes Association which offers both hike-in and boat-in tent sites along Squam Lake. Cape Ann Camp Site, located approximately 45 miles south in Gloucester, Massachusetts, provides wooded tent sites with more amenities for those seeking a less primitive experience. These locations offer varying levels of seclusion and access to natural areas within the broader New England region.

Most tent sites in the Durham area feature natural terrain with minimal development. At Squam Lakes Association, campsites include fire rings and tent platforms at some locations, but campers must bring their own drinking water or use a filter as no potable water is available on site. Composting toilets are provided in camping areas, though picnic tables are not standard. Reservations open annually on February 15th and fill quickly, with fees supporting local conservation efforts. Sites at Cape Ann feature more amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and access to bathroom facilities with pay showers (25 cents for 5 minutes).

Walk-in tent sites at Squam Lakes Association provide a more secluded backcountry camping experience compared to the developed campgrounds closer to Durham. The natural setting offers opportunities for water sports, hiking, and wildlife observation. Areas around Squam Lake feature spectacular views and access to hiking trails in the White Mountains. The primitive nature of these sites appeals to tent campers seeking a more authentic outdoor experience. According to one visitor, "We really enjoyed our stay here - we prefer tent camping and like to be secluded; we are not into RV parks. This was fantastic. Beautiful trails, excellent kayaking, quiet and serene." Cape Ann's tent sites are described by campers as "clean and secluded enough" with sites "surrounded by trees so it felt pretty private," making them suitable for tent campers who want some separation from neighboring sites.

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Best Tent Sites Near Durham, New Hampshire (14)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Durham, NH

23 Photos of 14 Durham Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Durham, NH

714 Reviews of 14 Durham Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2021

    Tidewater Campground

    Large campground near, but not on the beach

    First of all, the location is a little quirky and I think I only arrived once without a wrong turn! Watch the GPS carefully. That said, it’s very close to Hampton Beach and you can easily drive or bike over. The campground is parallel to US1, so there is some road traffic noise. Some of the tent sites overlook the marsh. The tent sites are definitely tighter than trailer sites. Some sites back up to each other and it takes a moment to understand where one ends and the next begins. 

    I was here early in the season and placed in a seasonal site with water/electric. Site was level. Neighbors were friendly. The bathroom was a short walk away and spotless. I did notice that in the tent areas, the main bathrooms are supplemented with portable toilets. Sites are mostly wooded, which will offer nice relief from the heat. It's a nice base for exploring the area.

    There’s a gated entry and turtle-speed limit that they take seriously. The pool was not yet open. There’s a small store onsite for ice and essentials. All the big box stores and a number of restaurants are nearby. For a change of pace from seafood, I picked up Shane's Texas Pit BBQ and brought it back to my site. 

    You may request a reservation online, but you have to confirm and pay for it via the phone. You’ll need to arrive before 9pm to check in. Bring $10 for a cash deposit on the gate card. Only 1 vehicle and 1 camping unit (tent or trailer) allowed on a site.

    Downside: They charge for showers, the amount and duration is unclear and the duration varies depending on which shower you choose! Given the rates they charge, this seems petty.

  • Meg T.
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Salisbury Beach State Reservation

    Seagulls hungry for Egg Rolls and sunsets galore!

    Stayed here with my partner for her birthday while we were up in the Plum Island/Rockport area. Beautiful ocean access and great facilities. We stayed in a site right next to a large bathhouse with showers, plentiful stalls, and water bottle fill-up and rinse off station. We were situated next to a kind family who lent us fire starter and offered us some of their snacks they were making when we arrived, while we were setting up we did lose some egg rolls to a hungry seagull but I think he needed them more than we did. Not very private and sites are packed close together, but that is what I expected based off the map! I would absolutely return again, this time to check out the beach and surrounding area!

  • Sable W.
    May. 16, 2018

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Spacious, Quiet, Clean and Conveniently Located

    Five friends and I decided to compete in Questival, which came to Boston for May 11-12, 2018. There aren't many campgrounds open in Massachusetts this early in the season, but Harold Parker State Forest was! I snagged a group campsite since we'd have four tents. We had to set up after dark, so we wound up congregating in one corner of the group site. When we woke up we could see just how HUGE the group site was! We had 4 two-person tents; you could easily fit 3x that number of tents. PLENTY of flat ground to set up on, and we were far enough back from the road that we never heard or saw other campers arriving, even though we know most other Questival competitors stayed at this campground. It was about a 5 minute walk to the bathrooms and showers, and potable water was available right on the site. Even though it was early in the season and not very leafy, we could only occasionally see our neighbors' headlamps. There were 4 or 5 fire pits, 5 large picnic tables, and 3 driveways that could fit two cars each. Great value for the cost! We were pleased with the privacy, space, cleanliness, and amenities.

  • Anna C.
    Oct. 15, 2019

    Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Red Ledge Rebel Shell Rain Pants at Pawtuckaway State Park

    *CAMPGROUND REVIEW*

    This campground is definitely a dazzler and I was fortunate to visit on a quieter weekend. I was able to enjoy an especially picturesque sunset over the lake and I would definitely visit this spot again, especially with how accessible the campground is. There is a nice stretch of sandy beach at the campground as well as canoes and kayaks for rent. The convenience store at the campground had essentially everything you would need for a good camping trip. Definitely do your research on the different site numbers because some sites are much more private and scenic than others. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire pit as an added bonus.

    Pros: 

    -Within a short driving distance from the Boston area 

    -Lakefront sites available 

    -Canoe and kayak rentals available 

    -Well stocked convenience store 

    -Reasonable cell reception

    Cons: 

     -Can get busy during peak camping times 

     -Some sites have a lack of privacy

    *PRODUCT REVIEW*

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. During this trip, I took out a pair of Red Ledge Rain Pants. While it didn’t rain during my camping stay (great from a camper perspective, not so great from a reviewer perspective), I was able to try out the general fit of the pants. They have a nice stretch fit to them and a certainly one of the more stylish options as far as rain pants go. As is true for most waterproof gear, they run on the warmer side and don’t have a ton of ventilation so they may not be the best choice for hotter weather. Although I didn’t get to test out the pants in a camping setting, I did wear them a few days ago while making the 1.5 km evacuation route trek from my apartment to the flood shelter during one of the biggest typhoons to make landfall in Japan. After about 25-30 mins of walking in record breaking-ly heavy rain, the pants started to saturate around the knees and the upper thigh area started to get a bit soggy. That being said, this is probably the most extreme possible test setting and they did hold up reasonably well. Due to the aforementioned, I would recommend using these pants as a waterproof option when skiing/snowboarding in warmer weather where you still want a snow barrier but may not necessarily need the insulative warmth offered by actual snow pants.

    Pros: 

    -Stylish look 

     -Stretch fit 

     -Waterproof 

     Cons: 

     -Trap heat 

     -Not typhoon proof

  • k
    Aug. 15, 2019

    Dixons Coastal Maine Campground

    LOTS of people but lovely campground

    This is an extremely large campground.  It seems that most of them on the coast of Maine are.  We didn't get a very good sight, but the person who answered the phone basically told us that when we called and it was all they had, so I can't say too much about that either (#17).  The sight was small and between the two driveways.  All of the sights seem to have rocky ground, so I recommend a sleep pad and a footprint for your tent so you don't rip the bottom.  

    Now, on to the other stuff.  There is a small playground that is weathered but in decent shape.  The pool is lovely and meticulously kept.  The grounds, bathrooms and showers are spotless.  It's 50 cents for 5 minutes to take a shower (unheard of) with hot water.  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...).  They give you a security card to get into the grounds ($10 deposit).  The campground was SUPER quiet and quiet hours go to 8am (thank you)!  Only an RV about to leave made a ton of noise at 7.

    I would go there again.  It was a safe place close to so many things.  The beach and everything else is VERY close but not so close as to be annoying.... 5 minutes at most.

Guide to Durham

Tent campers near Durham, New Hampshire can access several campgrounds within an hour's drive. The region features mixed forest terrain with pine and hardwood stands, typically at elevations between 100-300 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F during the day, with cooler 50-65°F nights that provide comfortable sleeping conditions for tent campers.

What to do

Hiking and water activities: At Squam Lakes Association, campers can enjoy both trail systems and water access. "Simple, but gorgeous. The association maintains about a dozen campsites in the Squam Lake area -- some hike-in and others boat-in only," notes reviewer Shari G. The area provides excellent kayaking opportunities with one camper mentioning "Beautiful trails, excellent kayaking, quiet and serene."

Beach access: Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach provides shuttle service to nearby beaches. "There is a shuttle that takes you to the beach which is convenient. During the shoulder season dogs are allowed on the beach but not the summer," writes Nancy W. The campground is also near Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge which has "a small welcome center and trails that wind through the marsh with some beautiful views (and dog-friendly)."

Exploring coastal towns: Cape Ann Camp Site offers proximity to historic Massachusetts coastal communities. "Cape Anne is beautiful. Perfect location with access to Rockport - a beautiful place to visit, shop, eat & a great little trail with great views," shares Ron C. The nearby beach is described as "big, beautiful and low tide was unexpected as you could walk for ever."

What campers like

Private wooded sites: Many tent campers appreciate the secluded feeling at Camp Nihan Education Center, where "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." The camp connects to Breakheart Reservation with "a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails and a range of different hikes."

Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility cleanliness as important. At Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach, "The restrooms and showers were really clean and you constantly saw yellow-shirted people busily working," according to one reviewer. Another camper notes, "the bathrooms were the cleanest I've seen camping and the staff was incredibly friendly!"

Natural setting: Tent campers seeking primitive experiences appreciate the minimalist approach at some sites. Cape Ann Camp Site features "beautiful tent sites" where campsites are "clean but very rustic" with one camper noting that "the sites are nice and wooded" and another mentioning they were "surrounded by trees so it felt pretty private."

What you should know

Reservation timing: Some campgrounds fill quickly once reservations open. At Squam Lakes Association, "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."

Shower facilities: Pay showers are common at campgrounds near Durham. At Huttopia Southern Maine, facilities are modern and well-maintained as the campground was recently established. One camper noted, "Went last August shortly after they gained ownership, grounds are manicured and aimed to be family friendly."

Water access: Bring water filtration equipment for primitive sites. At Squam Lakes Association, there is "no picnic table or drinking water. Come prepared with your own water...or a filter."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Salmon Falls River RV Resort offers numerous family amenities. "If you have young kids this place is so fun! Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun!" shares Samantha N. The campground includes "2 pools 2 hot tubes, a giant water slide that is even fun for the adults!!!"

Proximity to attractions: Look for campgrounds with access to multiple activities. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach is "four miles from Old Orchard Beach which is a trip. It is a throw-back from your childhood when carnival rides and funnel cakes made you so happy."

Budget-friendly accommodations: Several campgrounds offer varying price points. Camp Nihan Education Center provides affordable options within 30 minutes of Boston, making it accessible for families on a budget looking for tent camping near Durham, New Hampshire.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: At Lost Boys Hideout, recent improvements have enhanced the camping experience. One returning visitor noted, "Nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site. Improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided!"

Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the Durham area operate seasonally from May through October. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach operates "May 1 to October 15" while Salmon Falls River RV Resort runs from "May 15 - Oct 15," which matches the typical tent camping season in New Hampshire.

Hookup availability: For RVers seeking partial hookups near tent camping areas, Cape Ann Camp Site offers options. "They have water, sewer, and electric hookups. No wifi." The campground accommodates "All size RVs and tents" making it versatile for mixed camping groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Durham, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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