Pawtuckaway State Park and Bear Brook State Park offer diverse camping experiences within a short drive of Lee, New Hampshire. Both parks have waterfront campsites where visitors can enjoy shoreline activities while remaining close to their tents or RVs. The region experiences warm summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F from June through August, with cooler nights that drop into the 50-60°F range. Local campgrounds typically maintain quiet hours between 10pm and 7am, with most operating from May through mid-October.
What to do
Hiking trails throughout Bear Brook State Park: Bear Brook State Park Campground spans 10,000 acres with numerous marked trails for all skill levels. "The trails were very well marked and really conveniently close by to the campsites," notes one visitor, adding that the park is "very dog friendly for camping as well as hiking."
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Bear Brook State Park offers extensive mountain biking opportunities directly from the campground. A reviewer mentioned, "Mountain biking is awesome here, can ride right off the campground and onto the trails! Will def be coming back."
Swimming in natural settings: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas in natural ponds. "The bathrooms were a short walk from 22. The swimming area at the pond looked very inviting for summer time campers," shared a visitor about Bear Brook State Park.
Kayaking on local waterways: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground provides easy access to paddling opportunities with three islands to explore. "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," one camper reported.
What campers like
Waterfront campsites: The proximity to water is a major draw at several locations. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" exclaimed a Pawtuckaway State Park visitor. Sites along waterways tend to book 3-4 months in advance during peak season.
Spacious, wooded sites: Wakeda Campground receives praise for its natural setting. "Clean large lots," noted one camper, while another described it as having "beautiful trees surrounding it." The campground features nearly 400 sites spread throughout a forested area.
Well-maintained facilities: Cleanliness is consistently mentioned in reviews. One camper at Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort stated, "This is one of the cleanest, most meticulously maintained campground we have been to. So quiet and peaceful as well."
Proximity to coastal attractions: Location is a major benefit for many campgrounds near Lee. "This 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," noted a visitor to Wakeda Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Some parks limit pet access during peak seasons. A Pawtuckaway visitor shared this frustration: "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."
Variable site privacy: Site layouts differ significantly across campgrounds and within the same facility. At Beaver Dam Campground, a camper noted, "Sites are narrow but wooded. Bathrooms are modern and spotless."
Availability challenges: Booking waterfront sites requires significant advance planning. "If you plan ahead and get a water front site it's amazing... but all the sites are roomy and lovely to camp at!" advised a Pawtuckaway camper.
Seasonal camper presence: Many campgrounds have a mix of transient and seasonal campers. "There are many seasonal campers so if you don't like that atmosphere this is probably not the place for you," mentioned a visitor to Tuxbury Pond RV Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Winding River Campground offers extensive family amenities. "We had a great time here camping with our kids and grandkids. River is not much to look at but the pool was great and there were great events like foam parties, DJ at the pool, pancake breakfast and live music," shared a satisfied family camper.
Site selection for young children: Consider safety factors when choosing a campsite with children. At Pawtuckaway, a visitor noted, "It's a steep drop into the river making most sites a little nerve wracking with a little one."
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife adds to the camping experience. One Bear Brook State Park camper shared, "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird."
Temperature variations: Pack for variable weather. "We were there in the fall but the swimming area at the pond looked very inviting for summer time campers," noted a Bear Brook visitor, suggesting bringing both warm clothing and swimming gear depending on your travel dates.
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entrance roads. As a Winding River camper noted, "I clearly had one of the largest and most private tent sites. It was set back with a long driveway tucked between 522 and 524."
Hookup availability: Salmon Falls / Lebanon KOA offers various accommodation options including glamping near Lee, New Hampshire. One visitor commented on the diversity of options: "This campground is pretty big, sprawled out with lots to do, like tubing, cornhole, arcade, pools with slide and more."
Satellite and cell coverage: Reception can be limited in wooded areas. A Sea Coast camper mentioned, "The wifi worked perfectly for steaming tv despite the campground being fully booked for Memorial Day weekend."
Site leveling: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "Our site was a gravel back-in which was plenty long and level. They recently seeded the area so new grass was starting to grow," reported a visitor to Sea Coast Camping.
