147 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The area surrounding Hampstead, New Hampshire provides a range of camping experiences within a short drive of town. Several state parks and private campgrounds populate the region, with notable options including Pawtuckaway State Park Campground in Nottingham and Bear Brook State Park Campground in Deerfield. These established campgrounds accommodate various camping styles from traditional tent sites to RV hookups, with some parks like Bear Brook also offering cabin accommodations. Most campgrounds in this region are situated near lakes or ponds, creating opportunities for water recreation during summer months.
Seasonal operations significantly affect camping availability, with most campgrounds open from May through October. State park campgrounds such as Pawtuckaway typically operate from early May to late October, while private facilities like Tuxbury Pond RV Campground and Wakeda Campground maintain similar seasonal schedules from spring to fall. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for waterfront sites and weekend stays during peak summer months. Many campgrounds provide basic amenities including drinking water, flush toilets, and shower facilities, though hookup availability varies by location. One camper noted that "the 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."
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly at Pawtuckaway State Park where campers appreciate the lake access and paddling opportunities. Campers report that many sites offer reasonable privacy with good separation between neighbors. For those seeking a more developed camping experience, private campgrounds like Wakeda Campground and Tuxbury Pond RV Resort provide additional amenities such as swimming pools, camp stores, and full hookups for RVs. Bear Brook State Park stands out for families with children due to its playground facilities, hiking trails, and swimming beaches. As one visitor observed, "Bear Brook is full of trails, ponds and a fairly large campground. This extremely family-friendly campground comes equipped with trails, play structures, camp store, beach, and even a small baseball diamond."
"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"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."
"The bathroom was right next to us. Very clean with a sink outside and shower inside. Overall very great campsite. Would definitely go there more often."
from $21 - $45 / night
Check Availability"entrance (seems to happen frequently, I guess)."
"We went just for one night with a tent because our 5 years old loooves camping, so we reserved this at the last minute, and when we get there, well, the tent sites are way too close to each other, thank"
"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 love that it is right on the water, and we can walk to the beach. We also appreciate that it is pet friendly, and our dogs love it too."
"The electrical post and water hookup were placed way behind our site and we could not reach even with our 40’ electrical cord."
from $28 - $38 / 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"Beautiful location in southern NH! Located Beside a lake, The water is great for swimming, and the playground is absolutely perfect for kids and adults alike."
"They originally booked us on a site so small, our tent wouldn’t even fit so we weren’t going to be able to have a fire because our tent was so close to it."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Simple, clean, perfect pool set up, quiet and close to beaches and New Hampshire coastline."
"Beach Rose RV Park in Salisbury, Massachusetts is a small, friendly, family-owned campground near the beach."
"Site across the path was a little loud, but we were too I imagine... bet it'd be lots of fun for the kiddos."
"Sites weren’t bad, clean campground, pool & canoe rentals, family activities offered, short drive to the beaches. Primitive camping, waterfront sites & cabins available :)"
from $45 - $59 / night
Check Availability
GuideThis is a ski resort trying to make money in the summer. The campground feels like an afterthought. Facilities were not clean Or modern. There are 2 small bathhouses for 250 sites and they are right next to each other in the middle of the campground. Sometimes only one would be open. We camped in the BW area which is just a field. Other areas have many sites very close together. We left 2 days early.
ScoutGreat place to camp. Reasonably priced. Clean hot showers and dish washing station. Clean-Quiet-Well Patroled and Maintained. Nature based activities for kids.
TravelerLittle small backing in with our camper. They have larger lots. Will choose one a touch larger. Overall nice campground
TravelerThis is seriously our favorite RV park we have been to. We stayed here for an extended stay between August-October of last year. The staff goes above and beyond to plan for events for the whole family throughout the summer and fall. It was so peaceful and relaxing but also filled with fun events that we could take part in. A lot of parks you end up paying more for the “amenities” and it’s not worth it. Well that’s not the case here. It’s worth a little extra for all the amenities. Can’t wait to visit again one day.
ScoutFriendly owners. Best price in the area. Water, electric at all RV sites. and septic at some. There is a dumping spot. Great river to kayak. Pool to swim with kiddie pool that has sprinklers (they love!!!). Nothing fancy but comfortable and clean. Love lazy river!!!
TravelerPublished rules are can only be here for 30 days with a three week extension possible. The fact is at least half of the spaces are occupied by full time residents with one resident stating she has been here for two years. The airfield noise is excessive during the day. The airfield closes at 11 PM so at least it is not all night long. We booked a pull through and they wanted to put us in a small back in site with shared utilities. I put my foot down and was given a pull through. On a positive note, the bath house is clean and the laundry room is not over priced
ScoutGreat people, family friendly, lots of activities
ScoutThis is a really great campground. However, the cell service is terrible. I do have Wi-Fi, but it is very weak. I would count on having to use Starlink.
GuideI was lucky enough to score one of the waterfront spots for one night of my stay. I backed in and opened the rear doors of my campervan and just stared at the ocean view for hours. Spectacular!
Camping options near Hampstead, New Hampshire focus primarily on wooded areas with variable privacy between sites. The region experiences seasonal temperature shifts with summer highs averaging around 80°F and lows near 60°F. Several campgrounds remain open from May through October, with limited availability during shoulder seasons when temperatures can fluctuate significantly.
Canoe and kayak rentals: At Bear Brook State Park Campground, visitors can explore multiple ponds through boat rentals. One camper noted that "there are two archery ranges and wheelchair accessible docks for fishing" which add to the recreational variety beyond hiking.
Mountain biking trails: Active campers appreciate the extensive trail system at Bear Brook State Park. As one visitor mentioned, "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and we're not disappointed on either count... The biking trails were a blast." Some visitors specifically choose this location because you can "ride right off the campground and onto the trails."
Golf and swimming: Just 10 miles from Hampstead, Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park offers a unique combination of camping and recreation. The facility spans "1300 acres owned and operated by the Simonsen family" with "a pro shop, golf cart rentals," and "2 swimming beaches" according to a camper who stayed there.
Private waterfront sites: Many campers at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground specifically request lakefront camping spots. One visitor advised, "If you plan ahead and get a water front site it's amazing... Kayaking, swimming area and hiking were all 5 stars!" Another camper added that "the sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!"
Wildlife encounters: The natural surroundings at various campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Wakeda Campground, one camper reported, "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird." The campground's "beautiful massive forest" with "old tall, pine trees everywhere" creates habitat for various creatures.
Off-season quiet: Several campgrounds offer a more peaceful experience during shoulder seasons. At Pawtuckaway, a visitor 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."
Bathroom facilities vary: Campground bathroom conditions range widely across the region. At Lorraine Park Campground, visitors reported "spacious showers" and "clean bathrooms." However, at some locations, facilities receive less attention during shoulder seasons, with one camper noting "several of the stalls were lacking toilet paper."
Site selection matters: Campsite quality varies significantly within the same campground. One visitor to Bear Brook advised, "Mostly level sites sit under towering pines and vary greatly in size. Many of the sites are separated from their neighbors by large, downed pine trees." Another camper recommended, "If you are tenting and don't mind a short walk, reserve site R1 for a raised site overlooking the pond."
Pet policies differ: Not all campgrounds allow dogs during peak season. One Pawtuckaway visitor was disappointed to "learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months," adding "I would of hoped for one loop but NH state parks are anti-dog I guess."
Playground access: For families with young children, Calef Lake Camping Area offers "a small playground" along with "family activities" according to recent visitors. Another camper mentioned the "playground is absolutely perfect for kids and adults alike."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer learning activities for children. At Bear Brook, visitors can "check out the antique snowmobile museum and the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) museum." A ranger also "ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike."
Entertainment options: Several campgrounds schedule regular activities for families. At Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, a visitor observed both "a children's movie being played on a big screen" and adult entertainment options like "a stand up comedy show." Another campground features "adult bingo every Friday" and a "DJ for kids every Saturday."
Hookup locations: The placement of utilities can create challenges at some sites. One RVer at Lorraine Park observed, "The water and electric were between our site and the next on one side and sewer between our site and the one on the other side. This made it difficult to place our trailer on the slanted site and reach all services."
Seasonal rates: Camping costs vary significantly between state parks and private facilities. At Beach Rose RV Park, a visitor noted, "for the money if you're from out of state it's cheaper than the state park down the street and it has full hook-ups with laundry, showers and a heated pool."
Site dimensions: Many campgrounds have tight spacing between sites. A Beach Rose RV Park camper mentioned it's "a 50 site campground built 20 years ago, so it's cozy small sites in some spots," while another noted, "spaces are small, place is clean, nice pool and staff is very friendly, helpful and responsive!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds in Hampstead, NH?
While Hampstead itself has limited camping options, there are several excellent campgrounds in the surrounding area. Tuxbury Pond RV Campground is located near South Hampton, offering drive-in access with reservable sites, water hookups, and facilities that accommodate big rigs. Another nearby option is Calef Lake Camping Area in Auburn, which provides similar amenities. The greater region also features Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park in Derry and Exeter Elms Campground. These facilities place you within easy driving distance of Hampstead while providing comfortable camping experiences.
What amenities are available at Hampstead NH camping facilities?
Campgrounds near Hampstead offer diverse amenities to enhance your camping experience. Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park provides clean facilities, numerous recreational activities, and friendly staff in a well-maintained environment. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers large, level sites (many with water access), plus swimming, hiking, kayaking, biking, canoeing, fishing, bouldering, and geocaching opportunities. Other nearby campgrounds typically include basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and restroom facilities. Many also feature camp stores selling firewood and supplies, while family-oriented campgrounds often include playgrounds, swimming pools, and organized activities.
When is the best time of year to camp in Hampstead, New Hampshire?
The ideal camping season in the Hampstead area runs from late May through early October, with each period offering distinct advantages. Summer (June-August) provides the warmest temperatures for swimming and water activities at places like Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages, which offers beautiful pond views. Early fall (September-early October) delivers spectacular foliage, comfortable daytime temperatures, and fewer crowds at campgrounds like Bear Brook State Park Campground, New Hampshire's largest state park with numerous trails and ponds. Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with limited or no services available during winter months. For the best balance of pleasant weather and moderate crowds, consider camping in June or September.
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