Madbury, New Hampshire offers four-season camping opportunities with varied terrain ranging from riverside sites to wooded retreats. The region sits at elevations between 50-350 feet above sea level, creating diverse microclimates for campers throughout the area. Seasonal flooding can affect riverside campgrounds during spring melt, particularly at lower elevations near the Lamprey and Salmon Falls Rivers.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Launch directly from Pawtuckaway State Park for easy water access on the lake. "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," reports Matt R.
Mountain biking trails: Bear Brook State Park Campground maintains extensive trail networks for riders of all skill levels. "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," notes Eammon C.
Beach activities: Within 30 minutes of Madbury, coastal beaches offer alternatives to pond swimming. At Libbys Oceanside Camp in York Harbor, Maine, "This campsite has a great view over the ocean towards the lighthouse. The site is very tidy and toilets clean! Everything you would need available," according to Olaf.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Premium lakeside spots at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground fill quickly but reward early planners. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" notes J L.
Clean facilities: Wellington Camping Park maintains exceptionally clean bathrooms and common areas. "Nice, quiet campground on the Lamprey River, sites are gravel and sand. Sites are wide I parked my truck next to camper and still had enough space for a safe fire in the pit. The shower/toilet house was very clean and open for use," reports Harold C.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds provide opportunities to observe local fauna. "Not far from Boston, making this a nice escape but also a pretty crowded day use park and campground. Excellent hiking, beach, wildlife-filled wetlands, girding, geology, forests, and water to enjoy," states Harry H. about Pawtuckaway State Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: The best places to camp near Madbury require advance planning, especially for water sites. At Wakeda Campground, "We stayed three months here last summer. The beach and pool are small and quiet. Baths are new and clean. Only one washer/dryer. Driveway is hard to see and difficult to get in and out of. Owners were responsive," notes Constance S.
Site selection matters: Campgrounds near Madbury vary significantly in site privacy and quality. "We went in early May, when it was still a bit cold at night (in the low 40s) and not many people were around. The campground, though we had neighbors in every adjoining site, was pretty quiet. There are some spectacular views of the lake and mountains from many sites," reports Kris M. about Bear Brook State Park.
Weather considerations: Early and late season camping requires preparation for temperature swings. "In 2013 - site 25 was a little challenging since it was on a downgrade and we were hit with a an unexpected 36 hour downpour and there was only one suitable spot for our tent since the terrain is very rocky. After a few hours of constant rain I realized the water runoff from the road above and the driveway all ended up flowing right under our tent into the lake," warns Ellen C. about Pawtuckaway State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Old Stage Campground in Dover offers family-oriented amenities. "Kid. Accommodating. Family friendly. Kid infested. Safe. Scenic. Perfect," reports Lyndzie O.
Activity planning: Campgrounds with diverse recreation options keep children engaged. "This Campground is family friendly and has a lot to offer. Our camping group consisted of children from the ages of 8-17 yrs old. No one was bored. If you want to keep your family engaged and happy, this campground is a sure bet," explains J B. about Salmon Falls / Lebanon KOA.
Wildlife education: Introduce children to local fauna through campground observation. "I forgot the daily visits from the ducks, like clockwork morning and dusk a family of ducks visited looking for grub and although most feed them bread, I know that's not good for them so they left unsatisfied. The next day I bought uncooked Quaker Oats and some grapes that I cut in quarters for them," shares Ellen C. about wildlife encounters at Pawtuckaway State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some of the best places to camp near Madbury require attention to leveling. "Sites are level and roomy. The bathroom was clean. The walk to the beach was along a public parking lot. The beach was clean. The small store is well stocked. You can rent kayaks here. Lots of small people powered boats on the lake," notes Susan B. about Pawtuckaway State Park.
Hookup quality: Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort offers reliable services for RVers. "Friendly staff, hard gravel access roads, level gravel sites. No issues with electric, sewer or water hookups. Some of the best clear, clean, drinking water at high pressure we have come across. Great access to beaches, numerous eateries and shopping minutes away," reports Chuck H.
Signal considerations: Check connectivity before arrival if working remotely. "Very friendly. Good size lots. A lot of seasonal campers there give this place a neighborhood atmosphere. 10 to 15 minutes to stores and other needs. 30 minutes to coast. Portsmouth harbor cruise and many small coastal pubs and restaurants. Here is the 'BUT'. Wi-Fi is barely usable after 8am. And phone signal is spotty at best. Had to walk around to find signal for phone call," warns Ray P. about Wellington Camping Park.
