Camping near Exeter, New Hampshire offers proximity to both ocean beaches and forest environments within a 30-minute drive radius. The region experiences warm summer temperatures averaging 80°F during peak camping season from June through September, with cooler 60-65°F evenings even during July and August. Exeter's location provides a strategic base for campers wanting access to both inland forests and coastal activities without committing to either environment exclusively.
What to do
Paddling adventures: 15-minute drive from Exeter to Pawtuckaway State Park for canoe and kayak experiences. "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 Matt R. about Pawtuckaway State Park Campground.
Ocean day trips: 20 minutes to Hampton Beach for swimming and boardwalk activities. "The oceanfront location is classic NE style summer camping. Also classic NE style, it's packed in the summers. We caught the tail end of the season last year and the beach was super peaceful and much quieter than in high season," notes Lyssa M. about Hampton Beach State Park Campground.
Mountain biking trails: 35-minute drive to trail systems with varied difficulty levels. "Some of the sites are a bit too close to each other but there are some that are nice and private. Mountain biking is awesome here, can ride right off the campground and onto the trails! Will def be coming back," reports Kimberly R. about Bear Brook State Park.
Local farm visits: 5-10 minute drives from most campgrounds to pick-your-own farms. "There is no pool, nice wooded lots, small store, miniature golf(fee).close to Hampton beach," mentions Annette T., highlighting amenities and proximity to local attractions near campsites.
What campers like
Waterfront camping sites: Premium locations book quickly but offer direct access. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" explains J L. about Pawtuckaway State Park Campground.
Tall pine forest environments: Natural shade provides comfortable summer camping. "We stayed At Wakeda Campground overnight during a trip from Maine back to Long Island, NY. It was located very close off of 95 and allows pets. We were overwhelmed by the beautiful massive forest. The campground was splendid with old tall, pine trees everywhere," describes Pawsfuradventure T.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high standards. "Very nice campground, clean reliable power. No issues great spread out sites," notes Zachary W. about Wakeda Campground.
Proximity to beaches: Multiple campers appreciate beach access under 15 minutes away. "Its a nice no frills campground. We stayed in one of cabins and it served its purpose especially during a passing storm. The location is great being 10 minutes or so from Hampton beach. Lots of little farms in the area too," says Kris S.
What you should know
Varied shower facilities: Some require coins while others include them in site fees. "Bathroom is very clean and maintained. Showers are not free, but for a the money you get plenty of time to shower off," reports 69seacoast about Beach Rose RV Park.
Campground quality varies significantly: Research before booking is essential. "Worst campground ever, dirty, potholes and rude staff," warns Living B. about one less favorable location, while others receive consistently positive reviews for maintenance.
Reservation timing: Popular waterfront sites require booking 6-12 months in advance. "Reservations are usually made a year in advance," Kevin K. advises about securing spots at popular beach campgrounds.
Seasonal camper presence: Many campgrounds have mix of transient and seasonal sites. "Half of the park is seasonal campers (which is a lot more cramped and more junked up) and the other half is for transient. The two sides are separated by a tree line where the tent sites are located," explains Nancy W.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access considerations: Select sites with appropriate distance from play areas. "It's across the street from the playground. 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," advises Jean C. about Bear Brook State Park Campground.
Evening entertainment options: Several campgrounds provide scheduled activities. "Aduly bingo ever Friday DJ for kids every saturday," mentions Alicia M. about programmed entertainment at Exeter Elms Campground.
Swimming area quality: Varies between natural ponds and developed pools. "The swimming area at the pond looked very inviting for summer time campers. I also liked the sites across from ours near the ball field and thought they would make a nice place for a large group of friends to pitch their tents (Sites 31, 32, 33, 34)," notes Ellen C.
Beach proximity tradeoffs: Weigh convenience against site privacy. "Clean facilities, super quick access to the beach, friendly staff, sites are pretty close together with little separation between each other. RV & tent sites available. Our family loves both the ocean & camping so it is a win-win!" shares Sara D.
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "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," notes Nancy W. about Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort, which offers upgraded electrical service important for summer air conditioning use.
Power reliability: Consistent electrical service varies between locations. "Great employees, clean reliable power. No issues great spread out sites," mentions Zachary W., highlighting an important consideration for RVers dependent on stable electrical hookups.
Satellite reception challenges: Tree cover impacts connectivity at wooded campgrounds. "The park does not have cable and we were not able to get reception on our satellite because of the trees and could not get any over-the-air channels," shares one RVer about limitations at some dog friendly campgrounds near Exeter.
Backing space limitations: Plan for tight turns and potential obstacles. "The roads in the park are fairly narrow and we had to drive over the grass across from our site in order to back in. Lucky for us nobody was parked in that site," warns Nancy W. about navigation challenges that larger rigs may encounter.
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