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Best Tent Camping near Hampton Beach, NH

639 Reviews

The coastal region surrounding Hampton Beach, New Hampshire offers several tent camping options within driving distance for those seeking beach proximity with natural surroundings. While Hampton Beach itself has limited tent-only camping, nearby locations like Military Park New Boston Recreation Area (about 45 miles west) and Crown Point Campground provide dedicated tent campsites. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach in Maine, approximately 35 miles north, features designated tent-only areas with full shade and privacy, particularly at sites P1 through P5 which are situated along wooded edges.

Most tent campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with peak season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Sites typically include basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restroom facilities. Tent campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions, as coastal New Hampshire experiences fog, sudden temperature changes, and occasional strong winds. Walk-in tent sites at some locations require carrying gear short distances from parking areas. Many campgrounds near Hampton Beach require reservations, especially during summer weekends when availability becomes limited.

Tent-only camping experiences vary significantly across the region. At Cape Ann Camp Site in Massachusetts, campers report that "tent sites are more secluded than RV sites" with "beautiful tent sites" surrounded by trees for privacy. Highway noise can be an issue for tent campers at some locations, as one visitor noted: "Since I stayed in a tent it was a bit noisy" due to proximity to major roads. For primitive tent camping with fewer amenities but more seclusion, backcountry tent sites in state forests provide alternatives to established campgrounds. The wooded areas offer natural buffers between campsites, and many tent-specific areas feature level ground with a mix of sun and shade coverage throughout the day.

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Best Tent Sites Near Hampton Beach, New Hampshire (10)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hampton Beach, NH

19 Photos of 10 Hampton Beach Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Hampton Beach, NH

639 Reviews of 10 Hampton Beach Campgrounds

  • Kris S.
    Aug. 26, 2020

    Wakeda Campground, LLC

    Nice campground

    Its a nice no frills campground. We stayed in one of cabins and it served its purpose especially during a passing storm. It was nice to sit in the front porch and watch the storm. The location is great being 10 minutes or so from Hampton beach. Lots of little farms in the area too. Would definitely book another few nights.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 Hampton Beach

Tent camping near Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, offers a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature while being close to the coast.

Some prices for tent camping range from $42 to $60

  • At Winter Island Park, tent sites are available with electric hookups and access to showers, making it a convenient choice for families.
  • Cape Ann Camp Site provides a rustic experience with picnic tables and fire pits, perfect for a cozy evening under the stars.
  • For a more secluded experience, Camp Nihan Education Center offers tent camping in a peaceful setting, though it has limited amenities.

Local attractions to explore while camping

  • While staying at Lorraine Park Campground, visitors can enjoy hiking trails in Harold Parker State Forest, which is just a short drive away.
  • Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground allows campers to explore the historic forts and beautiful landscapes of the islands, accessible by ferry.
  • The vibrant town of Salem is easily reachable from Winter Island Park, especially popular during the Halloween season for its spooky attractions.

Tent campers should check out family-friendly amenities

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Hampton Beach tent camping sites?

Tent camping amenities near Hampton Beach typically include basic necessities and some added comforts. Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground offers a unique island camping experience with amenities including picnic tables, grills, and some sites have yurts with bunk beds. Rustic tent sites require bringing your own water. At Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach, tent campers enjoy clean facilities, friendly staff, and proximity to beaches. Typical amenities at campgrounds in the region include fire pits, picnic tables, bathrooms, and some offer camp stores for supplies.

Where can I find tent camping near Hampton Beach, NH?

While Hampton Beach itself has limited tent camping options, several quality campgrounds are within driving distance. Cape Ann Camp Site in Massachusetts offers beautiful wooded tent sites about an hour from Hampton Beach, with proximity to coastal attractions in Gloucester and Rockport. Closer to Hampton, Viewland Campground provides tent camping options in New Hampshire. For those willing to travel a bit further, Crown Point Campground offers drive-in tent camping with water and toilet facilities.

How much does tent camping cost near Hampton Beach, New Hampshire?

Tent camping costs near Hampton Beach vary by location and amenities. At Salmon Falls River RV Resort and Family Campground, tent sites are generally more affordable than RV sites with hookups. Huttopia Southern Maine offers a range of tent camping experiences at different price points. Most campgrounds in the region charge between $25-$45 per night for basic tent sites, with prices increasing for premium locations or added amenities. Holiday weekends and peak summer months (July-August) typically command higher rates, so booking in advance is recommended for the best pricing.

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