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Best Tent Camping near New Boston, NH

689 Reviews

Tent campgrounds near New Boston, New Hampshire offer a mix of established and primitive sites within a 30-mile radius. Military Park New Boston Air Force Station Recreation Area provides reservable tent sites in a natural setting year-round. Lost Boys Hideout offers a more rustic experience with hike-in and walk-in tent access, featuring drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Tully Lake Recreation Area, though farther away in Massachusetts, provides another option with well-maintained tent sites that have received positive reviews.

Most tent campsites in the New Boston area require campers to walk their gear from parking areas to their sites. At Lost Boys Hideout, recent improvements include mulched areas and upgraded fire pits. Facilities vary significantly between locations, with some offering showers and toilets while others provide only basic amenities. According to one visitor at Lost Boys Hideout, there have been "lots of new upgrades since pictures" including "improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided." The Military Park Recreation Area requires reservations for tent camping but offers a consistently rated experience.

The primitive tent camping experience near New Boston provides varying levels of privacy depending on the campground selected. Sites closer to water tend to offer less seclusion than those set back in wooded areas. Tent campers at Tully Lake appreciate the absence of vehicles at campsites, creating a quieter atmosphere that's especially valued by families with children. A recent review noted that "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay." While some campgrounds feature communal facilities, others maintain a more rugged, self-sufficient experience for those seeking primitive tent setups away from developed amenities. Weather considerations should factor into planning, as New Hampshire experiences variable conditions throughout camping seasons.

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Best Tent Sites Near New Boston, New Hampshire (18)

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Tent Camping Reviews near New Boston, NH

689 Reviews of 18 New Boston Campgrounds

  • Nancy R.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Tully Lake Campground is perfect to enjoy traditional family camping!

    Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. It is a State managed campground, and reservations must be made through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. There are some prime camp sites with direct access to the lake, but suggest you be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day State Campground reservations can be made, if you want one of these!

    This is a "Carry In" campground. You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site. (This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites.) There are individual sites, and 2 group sites, if you are camping with a group. Canoes are available to rent to explore Tully Lake. Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area. The views are beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls. Bring your cameras or smart phones to capture some of these breathtaking views! And of course there are longer, more challenging trails for more experienced hikers. There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only. Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again.

    The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. There are sinks beside the building, where campers are asked to wash their dishes, rather than at the camp site. A fire ring and picnic table are provided at each camp site. If you've forgotten any gear or need groceries, there's a Walmart just a 15 minute drive away, open until 12 midnight.

    The staff are quite friendly, helpful and informative. If you enjoy "old fashioned" family tent camping, without the noise and presence of cars and RV's near your camp site, (or cell phones!) this is the place for you. Enjoy!

  • Sa R.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Beautiful lake

    First time staying there. Two tents allowed per site, no alcohol although no one checked. No water or electricity at the sites. You park & walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them. Canoe, kayak & padddleboard rental available. Showers & bathrooms by the parking area. Lots of islands & places to explore on the lake. Buggy in June so bring your repellent. Dogs allowed...that’s all I got for now :)

  • Emma N.
    May. 24, 2018

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Secluded Sites

    The night before hiking Mount Monadnock, my husband and I camped here. Monadnock State Park is about a 25 minute drive from the campground, and provides a beautiful hike. The RV sites at Greenfield State Park were relatively secluded, as it is a very wooded area. We visited very early in the season, so the main tent camping loops were blocked off for maintenance. Our site had a picnic table and a fire ring. We drove by a shower facility and a building with restrooms. The restrooms were still locked for the winter, so there were a few port-a-potties right outside- these were absolutely disgusting. It looked as though they had not been cleaned out all winter. Otherwise, the campground seemed nice! Just don’t forget to bring some bug-spray for those New Hampshire mosquitos!

  • M.A.D. P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2023

    Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    Large and friendly park with plenty of water activity opportunities

    My first time experiencing a park in the New Hampshire Park system. We went down with a group. Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone. The park includes a large family beach on the lake. There are many opportunities for hiking, with trails leading to many special points of interest, including a mountaintop fire tower; an extensive marsh where beavers, deer, and great blue herons may be seen.

    The park lines the shore of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake.  The 192 sites are wooded and many provide views of the lake.  Each campsite has an open fire ring, picnic table, flat areas for a tent, and a parking space. The bathhouses are equipped with running water, flush toilets, and 24 hour showers.  There are no hook-ups at any of the campsites. The park also has a camp store where canoe and kayaks are available, as well as a plublic canoe and kayak launch. Five cabins are available; each sleeps six people, has electricity, and includes a fire ring and picnic table. Pets are not allowed in the campground or beach area of the park.

  • Migdalia G.
    May. 29, 2019

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Nice Wooded Campground in Awesome Area

    We stayed at Harold Parker State Forest Campground during Memorial Day Weekend. Reservation through Reserve America was a breeze. Check in till 9:00 pm was convenient. Checkout by 11:00 am but we paid for an additional night to be able to leave at night the day we checked out. Totally worth it!

    Nice large campsites. The sites’ privacy is very diverse. You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose but they are all pretty decent in size. All sites have water which is a plus. All have a fire pit/box, charcoal bbq and a picnic table. Most of them are drive in. 

    Quiet hours from 10 am to 7 am. No alcohol allowed (although I didn’t see an actual enforcement of this rule and guess it’ll happen only if people act out). Rangers are constantly patrolling. Felt pretty safe at night. You can’t bring wood. Bundles are $5 each and it burns really well. 

    Lots of biking/hiking/walking trails, a nice small pond/beach, boat access, a few basketball courts, a volleyball court and a common huge fire pit added to the fun. A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike. 

    Bathrooms were fairly clean although small and showers were free! Some sites were right in front of a lovely pond and there were many group sites available as well. 

    The location is pretty good. Salem, Andover, Boston Are accesible while staying here. Close proximity to Richardson Ice Cream which you CANT miss if you decide to stay.  They have cheap but amazing ice cream, mini golf and battling cages which was entertaining for my whole crew. 

    It rained a lot during one night of our stay and the site (301) did not flooded at all. All sites seemed in pretty good shape the morning after as well. 

    Beautiful and will recommend to families with small kids, groups and couples too.

  • D
    Jun. 1, 2018

    Pillsbury State Park Campground

    Love this campground been going back almost every year for several years.

    Pillsbury is called a 'primitive' campground which means no showers or electric hookups. 

    Most of the campsites are accessable by car with space to park a car or two at the campsite. Many campsites are on the lake. None are very far from the lake. 

    There are also a few 'remote' campsites that are not accessable by car. They are accessable by a sort walk or boat. 

    There is at least one handicap accessible site, which I have used, near the toilet facilities. It provides a good sized very level area to set up a tent and park your car. There may be other handicap sites. I have only used this one and never checked for others. 

    Note: Not all New Hampshire State Parks are dog friendly. If you have a dog check which parks are as part of your trip planning.

    This web page  says this about Pillsbury.

    Pillsbury State Park is one of the more primitive and lesser known gems of the New Hampshire State Park system. Heavily wooded and sprinkled with several ponds and wetlands, its diversity of habitats makes it home to a great variety of wildlife, including moose and loons. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. Crossed by a network of hiking and mountain bike trails, the park is an important link in the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, a 51-mile hiking trail that connects Mount Monadnock with Mount Sunapee to the north.

    Pillsbury State Park

    100 Pillsbury State Park Rd

    Washington, Nh 03280

    Phone: 603-863-2860

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 28, 2023

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Loved it here

    We stayed here for a night in mid October, as they were getting ready to close for the season, so more than half of the campground was closed off. But the part that we did see was awesome. Each site was huge, separated from its neighbor, private, mostly flat, and beautiful. No hookups in the campground, and sites are hit or miss with tree coverage, some sites may have enough opening for solar or starlink, but I wouldn’t count on it. 

    There are hiking trails throughout the campground, but our dog got covered in ticks so watch for that. There are water spigots throughout the campground and a dump station. Showers were free and nice and clean, and you can control the temperature and let the water run (no button to push). 

    The dump truck driver was there picking up garbage and I asked him about recycling and he said they have their own transfer station where the waste is sorted, so all recycling and garbage goes into the dumpster. 

    We paid $23 for a site because it was primitive season, but I think normally it’s $25. No other taxes or fees were charged. There’s a little store in the ranger office with basic supplies and gifts, ice cream, fire starters, ice, etc. There’s also a little free library exchange behind the office. And to top it off, we had cell service here. Great stay, highly recommend! Beware of ticks!

  • Jessica N.
    Sep. 13, 2021

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Great Park, big sites

    Stayed for a weekend (1 night). Easy access to a bathroom (which was very clean). Quiet neighbors, everyone around us observed the quiet hours (10p-7a) and even during the day no one was super loud. Very respectful drivers made biking feel fun and safe for kids. Campers beach was lovely. Sure the water was a little weedy, but we didn’t mind. The lake is a great spot for kayaking (although it is a little bit of a walk from the parking lot with a heavy boat) and the sunset on the lake definitely didn’t disappoint. Nice partially shaded and level site with good access for backing in our small trailer. Playground, camp store, convenient check-in at office, firewood available for $6, lots of trails and fairly level for easy biking. State park camping (no hookups) but there’s a dump station near the exit and water spigots dispersed around the campsites. Absolutely would go again.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2021

    Tidewater Campground

    Large campground near, but not on the beach

    First of all, the location is a little quirky and I think I only arrived once without a wrong turn! Watch the GPS carefully. That said, it’s very close to Hampton Beach and you can easily drive or bike over. The campground is parallel to US1, so there is some road traffic noise. Some of the tent sites overlook the marsh. The tent sites are definitely tighter than trailer sites. Some sites back up to each other and it takes a moment to understand where one ends and the next begins. 

    I was here early in the season and placed in a seasonal site with water/electric. Site was level. Neighbors were friendly. The bathroom was a short walk away and spotless. I did notice that in the tent areas, the main bathrooms are supplemented with portable toilets. Sites are mostly wooded, which will offer nice relief from the heat. It's a nice base for exploring the area.

    There’s a gated entry and turtle-speed limit that they take seriously. The pool was not yet open. There’s a small store onsite for ice and essentials. All the big box stores and a number of restaurants are nearby. For a change of pace from seafood, I picked up Shane's Texas Pit BBQ and brought it back to my site. 

    You may request a reservation online, but you have to confirm and pay for it via the phone. You’ll need to arrive before 9pm to check in. Bring $10 for a cash deposit on the gate card. Only 1 vehicle and 1 camping unit (tent or trailer) allowed on a site.

    Downside: They charge for showers, the amount and duration is unclear and the duration varies depending on which shower you choose! Given the rates they charge, this seems petty.

Guide to New Boston

Tent camping near New Boston, New Hampshire offers opportunities in both wooded settings and near lakes, with elevations ranging from 700-1,200 feet throughout the region. Temperatures can fluctuate significantly between day and night, especially in spring and fall when overnight lows can drop 20-30 degrees from daytime highs. Seasonal weather variations make May through October the most popular camping months, when average rainfall is 3-4 inches per month.

What to do

Hiking at Mount Cardigan: Just under an hour's drive from New Boston, Cardigan Campsites offers direct access to mountain trails. "Great spot to spend the night before a climb of Mt. Cardigan! The climb is challenging but shouldn't take too long. Great fire tower views at the top too!" notes Madison G.

Paddle on Tully Lake: The calm waters at Tully Lake Recreation Area make for excellent kayaking and canoeing. "We take our canoe and spend the whole day at the lake. You can find lots of private areas to swim, pick blueberries and relax," shares Ben P. Boat rentals are available on-site if you don't bring your own.

Explore nearby waterfalls: Several cascades are within short hiking distance of camping areas. "If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area," explains Nancy R.

What campers like

Cart-based access system: The walk-in setup at several campgrounds creates a quieter environment. At Tully Lake, "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay," writes Megan G.

Multiple recreation options: Salmon Falls River Camping Resort offers extensive amenities for extended stays. "Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun! I loved the lazy river and had so much fun!" reports Samantha N.

Island camping opportunities: Some sites offer complete privacy on small islands. "I stayed on the island site, which was absolutely amazing. The views are to die for, and it's really meant for people who want to be outdoors in the woods," explains Kris M. regarding Tully Lake.

What you should know

Reservation timing matters: Many popular sites book quickly. "The sites fill up weeks out (and can completely fill the day registration opens, which is date-dependent each year)," warns Kris M. For summer weekends, reservations may need to be made 2-3 months in advance.

Facilities vary significantly: While some campgrounds offer extensive amenities, others provide minimal services. Lost Boys Hideout has seen improvements: "Nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site. Improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided!" notes Steve K.

Cell service limitations: Connectivity is unreliable throughout much of the region. "Cell coverage is pretty close to absent or poor in most of the area, so download any maps you might want (driving, trail, geocaching) before you arrive," advises Jean C.

Tips for camping with families

Choose cart-accessible sites: The walk-in system at some locations creates safe play areas. "This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites," explains Nancy R., making tent camping near New Boston ideal for families with young children.

Consider distance to facilities: Bathroom access varies by site location. "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night," cautions Lauren A. about her experience at Tully Lake Recreation Area.

Pack efficiently for walk-in sites: Carts help transport gear but require planning. "The sites are spacious and though there is not a bad site, some are better suited for certain purposes like group camping," shares Miguel B. Sites farther from parking require multiple trips.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: Most campgrounds near New Boston prioritize tent camping with few RV accommodations. "The campsites are very basic, with only a picnic table and fire ring," notes Jean C. about primitive sites. Tent camping in New Boston, New Hampshire typically requires self-sufficiency.

Seasonal considerations: RV camping is generally limited to late spring through early fall. Sunapee State Park Campground operates from "May 26 to October 8," according to park information, with similar seasonal restrictions at most locations in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near New Boston, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near New Boston, NH is Military Park New Boston Air Force Station New Boston Recreation Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near New Boston, NH?

TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near New Boston, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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