Pawtuckaway State Park offers diverse camping opportunities near Lee, New Hampshire, with waterfront sites available on three islands. Temperatures range from 40s°F in spring to 80s°F in summer with moderate humidity. The lakes and rivers throughout the area create excellent fishing and paddling options for campers.
What to do
Paddling and fishing: Pawtuckaway State Park provides outstanding water recreation opportunities. "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," notes Matt R. The waterfront sites are particularly sought after for their convenience.
Hiking with elevation: The trail system at Bear Brook State Park spans a 10,000-acre forest preserve with varied terrain. Ellen C. shares, "Located in a 10000 acre forest preserve, the campground is heavily forested and very secluded from civilization." The trail network features hills suitable for day hikes, with some leading to lookout points.
Beach access: For coastal recreation, Salisbury Beach State Reservation sits directly on the Atlantic shoreline. Meg T. explains, "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." The reservation offers immediate beach access within steps of camping areas.
What campers like
Privacy among the pines: Wakeda Campground receives praise for its woodland setting. Martin S. mentions, "Quite big but secluded spots at the same time. Nice and clean toilets and showers." The established tree cover creates natural separation between many sites.
Wildlife viewing: Great Bay Camping provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. "The eagles were beautiful to watch!!" comments Camie S. The waterfront location attracts various bird species, making it ideal for casual birdwatching without special equipment.
Family activities: Shel-Al Campground (now Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort) maintains recreational facilities for various ages. "There was a very large playground, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard, basketball, and camp store," notes Nancy W., emphasizing the family-friendly environment with multiple activity options.
What you should know
Bug control measures: The region's humidity and water features create significant insect activity. "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," reports Camie S. from Great Bay Camping. Most campgrounds implement regular fogging, but bringing additional repellent remains essential.
Campground regulations: Pet policies vary significantly between campgrounds. "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," shares Erin W. about Pawtuckaway State Park, highlighting the importance of checking seasonal restrictions.
Site spacing differences: Campgrounds in the area offer varying levels of site separation. At Old Stage Campground, Ashley O. notes, "Owners were so kind and helpful. I felt very safe here as a solo traveler." However, site proximity varies widely between campgrounds and individual sites within the same facility.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites near play areas for convenience but consider noise levels. At Bear Brook, Jean C. advises, "I'd avoid site 93 because it is so close to the playground and the fire ring placement makes it seem like families enjoying the playground will be tempted to walk through your site."
Water recreation options: Old Stage Campground offers various water activities suitable for different age groups. Lyndzie O. describes it as "Kid. Accommodating. Family friendly. Kid infested. Safe. Scenic. Perfect." The campground balances safety with water access.
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations require adaptable clothing and gear. "We went in early May, when it was still a bit cold at night (in the low 40s) and not many people were around," shares Kris M. about their spring experience at Pawtuckaway. Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds but require more comprehensive packing.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: At Barrington Shores Campground, waterfront sites offer prime locations but require attention to utility connections. Eric H. mentions, "Few transient sites but beautiful spots.119 on water by the beach and fishing spot." Waterfront sites sometimes have hookups positioned differently than standard sites.
Road conditions: Access roads vary in quality throughout the region. Sea Coast Camping features "hard gravel access roads, level gravel sites," according to Chuck H., who adds there were "No issues with electric, sewer or water hookups." However, other campgrounds may have less maintained roads, especially during spring thaw.
Signal reliability: Cell service and WiFi availability fluctuate throughout the area. Ray P. explains his experience at Wellington Camping Park: "Wi-Fi is barely usable after 8am. And phone signal is spotty at best. Had to walk around to find signal for phone call." Most campgrounds offer better service near main buildings.
Guide
