Tent camping in Lee, New Hampshire offers access to New England's distinctive seasons, with most sites open from May through October when temperatures range from 50-80°F. The area sits near the Lamprey River watershed, providing campers with opportunities for water activities alongside forest camping. Most sites in this region feature wooded settings with varying degrees of privacy and amenity levels.
What to do
Swimming and water activities: Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach, located about 45 minutes from Lee, provides shuttle service to the beach. "The trolley will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach," shares Jill P. The campground itself has multiple pools, with Samantha N. noting, "Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!!"
Hiking nearby trails: Squam Lakes Association maintains several campsites accessible by hiking or boating. "Simple, but gorgeous. The association maintains about a dozen campsites in the Squam Lake area -- some hike-in and others boat-in only," explains Shari G. The surrounding area offers "Beautiful trails, excellent kayaking, quiet and serene," according to Jen S.
Local attractions: The region provides easy access to several coastal towns. When staying at Huttopia Southern Maine, campers can visit nearby Sanford. One reviewer notes the "grounds are manicured and aimed to be family friendly," making it a good base for exploring. The campground is approximately 30 minutes from Lee.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded nature of tent sites in the area. At Cape Ann Camp Site, Lajaun C. mentions "The sites are nice and wooded. All size RVs and tents are welcome." Another camper, John S., notes there's "A LOT of space between them," which provides a more private camping experience.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent praise. At Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach, Matt R. states, "Sites are not too close, clean bathrooms, friendly service." Similarly, Erin M. reports, "The bathrooms and grounds were very clean, activities were fun, the playground/pool was nice."
Natural surroundings: Lost Boys Hideout offers a more rustic experience with recent improvements. Steve K. describes it as "Simplicity at it best :)" and notes "Nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site. Improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided!"
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most tent camping near Lee operates seasonally. Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach operates from "May 1 to October 15" according to their listing. Cape Ann Camp Site has a similar season, running from "May 15 - Oct 15."
Facility variations: Bathroom and shower facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. At Cape Ann Camp Site, Ben E. notes, "The showers require payment with quarters" while Della S. clarifies they cost "5 cents" per shower. Some campgrounds like Lost Boys Hideout offer more primitive facilities.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. For Camp Nihan Education Center, which is within an hour's drive of Lee, Michael V. recommends planning ahead since it offers "a great shallow pond with life guard on duty as well as bike trails and a range of different hikes."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds specifically cater to families with children. Aaron G. says of Salmon Falls River RV Resort, "A little of everything at this campground, 2 pools 2 hot tubes, a giant water slide that is even fun for the adults!!! Have great activities daily for the kids a nice store onsite."
Educational options: Camp Nihan offers educational components for young campers. Michael V. describes it as the "Perfect blend of rugged and convenient for small kid camping," noting that "the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods" while still offering convenient facilities.
Entertainment alternatives: For rainy days, having backup plans helps. At Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach, Jill P. mentions "Outdoor movies were fun" as an activity option. The campground also provides regular scheduled activities throughout the day for children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Finding level sites can be challenging in New England's hilly terrain. At Salmon Falls River RV Resort, Aaron G. observes, "Campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs."
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds near Lee offer various hookup options. Cape Ann Camp Site provides "water, sewer, and electric hookups" according to Lajaun C., though they note there is "No wifi."
Seasonal considerations: RVers should note that some campgrounds have different sections for seasonal versus temporary stays. At Viewland Campground, Kirsten J. observed, "We passed many campers that had been on this property permanently, several of which had porches attached or additional rooms built on the side."
