Camping spots near Lee, New Hampshire range from heavily wooded forest settings to waterfront sites along rivers and ponds. The region experiences typical New England weather patterns with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and dropping to the mid-50s at night. Accessibility varies significantly between locations, with some campgrounds like Wellington Camping Park offering riverside tent sites and others providing terrain suitable for larger RVs.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Wellington Camping Park sits on the Lamprey River where campers can rent canoes. One visitor noted, "They have a special beach for your dog if you're a puppy owner like me this is one of the only campgrounds that is very pet friendly. They also have free DVD rentals for those rainy days."
Mountain biking trails: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems specifically designed for mountain bikers. A camper mentioned, "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and we're not disappointed on either count. The campground is nice and spacious, well kept and the staff is friendly. The biking trails were a blast."
Fishing spots: Great Bay Camping provides waterfront sites with fishing opportunities. A visitor shared, "I spent two nights at a site right on the river. The tall pines provided shade for the hot days. The sunsets were spectacular, as well as the sunrise! I was right next to the dock to enjoy the peaceful water."
Geocaching adventures: Several parks in the area offer geocaching opportunities. A reviewer at Wakeda Campground remarked, "It's a nice no frills campground. The location is great being 10 minutes or so from Hampton beach. Lots of little farms in the area too."
What campers like
Seasonal camping atmosphere: Wakeda Campground creates a neighborhood feel with long-term campers. "Campsites are clean the people are friendly and very close to the beach," according to one reviewer, while another noted, "We have been camping here for many years. The staff and seasonal campers are all very friendly."
Waterfront site options: At Pawtuckaway State Park, waterfront sites are highly sought after. A camper observed, "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" Another visitor added, "In 2018 we stayed in sites 110 and our friends stayed in 109 on Big Island. Those were wonderful sites, level with great views of the lake."
Clean facilities: Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort maintains particularly clean facilities. A visitor stated, "This is one of the cleanest, most meticulously maintained campground we have been to. So quiet and peaceful as well." Another camper added, "The washer/dryer setup is immaculate with brand new equipment."
Forested camping sites: Several campgrounds offer heavily wooded sites. At Wakeda Campground, one camper was "overwhelmed by the beautiful massive forest. The campground was splendid with old tall, pine trees everywhere."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through early October. A visitor to Salisbury Beach State Reservation noted, "We camped at a non-peak time so the park was not very crowded but we can image it being quite different in the summer."
Insect preparation: Bug spray is essential, particularly in wooded campgrounds. A visitor to Great Bay Camping warned, "The owner fogged our site but it didn't help for long. Those bugs out there are vicious. No amount of bug spray help me or the kids."
Hookup configurations: Some campgrounds have unusual utility setups. At Great Bay Camping, a reviewer mentioned, "The hookups are a little strange as you feel you're going onto your neighbors site to hook up." Another camper at Sea Coast Camping observed, "Pull through sites, while close were arranged in such a way so that you are not next to the sewer hookup of your neighbor."
Variable cell reception: Cell phone coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. At Wellington Camping Park, a visitor reported, "The wifi worked perfectly for steaming tv despite the campground being fully booked." Conversely, another camper at a different location noted, "Wi-Fi is barely usable after 8am. And phone signal is spotty at best. Had to walk around to find signal for phone call."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers numerous child-friendly facilities. A visitor explained, "This extremely family-friendly campground comes equipped with trails, play structures, camp store, beach, and even a small baseball field."
Site selection for groups: Consider specific site numbers when traveling with multiple families. At Bear Brook, one camper recommended, "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)."
Noise considerations: Be aware of noise levels at different campgrounds. One visitor to Pawtuckaway State Park mentioned, "Side note.. campers aren't respectful of other campers and very noisy here," while another noted, "This campground is beautiful and in a nice location in the state park but is really crowded in the summer months with large groups of loud children."
Pet restrictions: Dog policies vary by campground and season. A visitor to Pawtuckaway State Park shared, "I went one summer on the way to Maine and loved everything! Tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months."
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Pay attention to campground roads and site layouts. At Barrington Shores Campground, a visitor noted, "This is a great family campground to escape the noise of the city. Good for RV's and tents," while another specifically mentioned, "Few transient sites but beautiful spots. 119 on water by the beach and fishing spot."
Electric service reliability: Power stability matters for RV campers. One visitor to Sea Coast Camping reported, "No issues with electric, sewer or water hookups. Some of the best clear, clean, drinking water at high pressure we have come across."
Site length and parking options: Some campgrounds have flexible rules about site usage. At Salisbury Beach State Reservation, a camper shared, "The electrical post and water hookup were placed way behind our site and we could not reach even with our 40' electrical cord. Park staff told us we could back onto the grass in order to reach the electric."
Seasonal site comparison: Consider the differences between seasonal and transient camping areas. A visitor to Sea Coast noted, "Half of the park is seasonal campers (which is a lot more cramped and more junked up) and the other half is for transients. The two sides are separated by a tree line where the tent sites are located."
