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Best Tent Camping near Hooksett, NH

762 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent campgrounds near Hooksett, New Hampshire range from secluded primitive sites to more developed locations with basic amenities. Military Park New Boston Air Force Station Recreation Area offers year-round tent camping in a natural setting approximately 12 miles from Hooksett. For campers seeking more amenities, Lost Boys Hideout provides a walk-in tent camping experience with drinking water, picnic tables, and fire pits.

Most tent sites in the Hooksett area feature natural dirt or forest floor surfaces with varying degrees of tree cover for shade. Facilities vary significantly between locations, with some sites like Viewland Campground offering only basic accommodations without amenities such as drinking water or toilet facilities. Sites at Lost Boys Hideout include amenities like showers, toilets, firewood, and trash collection, while others like New Boston Recreation Area are more primitive. Seasonal considerations apply to several locations, with some campgrounds operating year-round while others have limited accessibility during winter months.

The tent camping experience around Hooksett offers varied environments for different preferences. At Cardigan Campsites, located approximately 40 miles north, tent sites provide access to hiking trails with composting toilets available but limited additional amenities. The terrain throughout the region ranges from wooded settings to more open areas. One camper at Lost Boys Hideout noted that "improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided." For those seeking tent camping with more facilities, Salmon Falls River Camping Resort, though farther away, provides more developed tent sites with full amenities. Most locations require reservations, especially during peak summer months.

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Best Tent Sites Near Hooksett, New Hampshire (19)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hooksett, NH

28 Photos of 19 Hooksett Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Hooksett, NH

762 Reviews of 19 Hooksett Campgrounds

  • Nancy R.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Tully Lake Campground is perfect to enjoy traditional family camping!

    Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. It is a State managed campground, and reservations must be made through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. There are some prime camp sites with direct access to the lake, but suggest you be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day State Campground reservations can be made, if you want one of these!

    This is a "Carry In" campground. You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site. (This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites.) There are individual sites, and 2 group sites, if you are camping with a group. Canoes are available to rent to explore Tully Lake. Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area. The views are beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls. Bring your cameras or smart phones to capture some of these breathtaking views! And of course there are longer, more challenging trails for more experienced hikers. There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only. Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again.

    The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. There are sinks beside the building, where campers are asked to wash their dishes, rather than at the camp site. A fire ring and picnic table are provided at each camp site. If you've forgotten any gear or need groceries, there's a Walmart just a 15 minute drive away, open until 12 midnight.

    The staff are quite friendly, helpful and informative. If you enjoy "old fashioned" family tent camping, without the noise and presence of cars and RV's near your camp site, (or cell phones!) this is the place for you. Enjoy!

  • Sa R.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Beautiful lake

    First time staying there. Two tents allowed per site, no alcohol although no one checked. No water or electricity at the sites. You park & walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them. Canoe, kayak & padddleboard rental available. Showers & bathrooms by the parking area. Lots of islands & places to explore on the lake. Buggy in June so bring your repellent. Dogs allowed...that’s all I got for now :)

  • Emma N.
    May. 24, 2018

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Secluded Sites

    The night before hiking Mount Monadnock, my husband and I camped here. Monadnock State Park is about a 25 minute drive from the campground, and provides a beautiful hike. The RV sites at Greenfield State Park were relatively secluded, as it is a very wooded area. We visited very early in the season, so the main tent camping loops were blocked off for maintenance. Our site had a picnic table and a fire ring. We drove by a shower facility and a building with restrooms. The restrooms were still locked for the winter, so there were a few port-a-potties right outside- these were absolutely disgusting. It looked as though they had not been cleaned out all winter. Otherwise, the campground seemed nice! Just don’t forget to bring some bug-spray for those New Hampshire mosquitos!

  • 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.

  • D
    Jun. 1, 2018

    Pillsbury State Park Campground

    Love this campground been going back almost every year for several years.

    Pillsbury is called a 'primitive' campground which means no showers or electric hookups. 

    Most of the campsites are accessable by car with space to park a car or two at the campsite. Many campsites are on the lake. None are very far from the lake. 

    There are also a few 'remote' campsites that are not accessable by car. They are accessable by a sort walk or boat. 

    There is at least one handicap accessible site, which I have used, near the toilet facilities. It provides a good sized very level area to set up a tent and park your car. There may be other handicap sites. I have only used this one and never checked for others. 

    Note: Not all New Hampshire State Parks are dog friendly. If you have a dog check which parks are as part of your trip planning.

    This web page  says this about Pillsbury.

    Pillsbury State Park is one of the more primitive and lesser known gems of the New Hampshire State Park system. Heavily wooded and sprinkled with several ponds and wetlands, its diversity of habitats makes it home to a great variety of wildlife, including moose and loons. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. Crossed by a network of hiking and mountain bike trails, the park is an important link in the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, a 51-mile hiking trail that connects Mount Monadnock with Mount Sunapee to the north.

    Pillsbury State Park

    100 Pillsbury State Park Rd

    Washington, Nh 03280

    Phone: 603-863-2860

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 28, 2023

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Loved it here

    We stayed here for a night in mid October, as they were getting ready to close for the season, so more than half of the campground was closed off. But the part that we did see was awesome. Each site was huge, separated from its neighbor, private, mostly flat, and beautiful. No hookups in the campground, and sites are hit or miss with tree coverage, some sites may have enough opening for solar or starlink, but I wouldn’t count on it. 

    There are hiking trails throughout the campground, but our dog got covered in ticks so watch for that. There are water spigots throughout the campground and a dump station. Showers were free and nice and clean, and you can control the temperature and let the water run (no button to push). 

    The dump truck driver was there picking up garbage and I asked him about recycling and he said they have their own transfer station where the waste is sorted, so all recycling and garbage goes into the dumpster. 

    We paid $23 for a site because it was primitive season, but I think normally it’s $25. No other taxes or fees were charged. There’s a little store in the ranger office with basic supplies and gifts, ice cream, fire starters, ice, etc. There’s also a little free library exchange behind the office. And to top it off, we had cell service here. Great stay, highly recommend! Beware of ticks!

Guide to Hooksett

Tent camping opportunities near Hooksett, New Hampshire provide access to natural spaces within 40 miles of the city. The region sits at elevations between 300-500 feet above sea level, with wooded terrain transitioning to more mountainous areas as you travel north. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during peak camping season from June through September, with cooler nights in higher elevation sites.

What to do

Paddling opportunities: Tully Lake Recreation Area offers rentals for exploring the lake's shoreline. "We rented kayaks right at the campground for a paddle around Tully Lake. Great trip! We will be returning," notes a camper at Tully Lake Recreation Area.

Waterfall exploration: Scenic waterfalls near some camping areas provide natural water features for day trips. "If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls ascending through a wooded area," reports a visitor about trails near Tully Lake.

Mountain hiking: Access to trails makes camping a good basecamp for summit attempts. "Great spot to spend the night before a climb of Mt. Cardigan! The climb is challenging but shouldn't take too long. Great fire tower views at the top too!" shares a visitor at Cardigan Campsites.

What campers like

Privacy levels: Some sites offer considerable separation from other campers. "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out," reports a camper at Tully Lake Recreation Area.

Wildlife viewing: Natural settings provide opportunities to spot local fauna. A camper at Cape Ann Camp Site appreciated that they could see "wild turkeys, deer, etc." during their stay at the campground.

Car-free camping: Some locations keep vehicles away from camping areas. "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay," notes a visitor about the best tent camping near Hooksett at Tully Lake.

What you should know

Cart systems: Several campgrounds require equipment transport from parking areas. "You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site," explains a visitor at Tully Lake. This means planning for multiple trips with gear.

Shower access varies: Pay showers exist at some locations but not all. "The showers require payment with quarters. I don't know how many quarters it takes because I don't carry change. So I washed my hair in the sink," reports a visitor at Cape Ann Camp Site.

Cell service limitations: Many camping areas have poor connectivity. "Cell coverage is pretty close to absent or poor in most of the area, so download any maps you might want (driving, trail, geocaching) before you arrive," advises a Tully Lake camper.

Tips for camping with families

Water activities: Some campgrounds offer multiple water features for children. "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 a visitor at Salmon Falls River RV Resort.

Noise considerations: Holiday weekends may bring larger, louder groups. "We went memorial day weekend few years ago, busy holiday of young teens partying. Park staff tried their best, but other campers definitely took away from our stay," warns a family that camped at Tully Lake.

Bathroom proximity: With children, consider site location relative to facilities. "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night," notes a family camper about their Tully Lake experience.

Tips for RVers

Level sites: Some campgrounds offer even terrain for easier setup. "We had a nice perfectly level site in a beautiful wooded area," reports an RVer who stayed at Cape Ann Camp Site.

Site access limitations: Narrow roads can create challenges for larger vehicles. "The campground loop is a one-way loop that is not easily marked. The road was very narrow and we were very close to some RVs," cautions a visitor at Viewland Campground.

Hookup availability: Many tent-focused sites near Hooksett lack RV amenities. Cape Ann Camp Site offers "water, sewer, and electric hookups" according to one camper, but notes these are limited in number and require advance booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hooksett, NH is Military Park New Boston Air Force Station New Boston Recreation Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Hooksett, NH?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Hooksett, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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