Tent campsites near Newington, New Hampshire often feature wooded settings within short drives of coastal attractions and inland recreation areas. The region sits at the junction of New Hampshire's limited coastline and inland forest areas, creating diverse camping options within a 50-mile radius. Many campgrounds operate seasonally from May through mid-October due to the northern New England climate patterns.
What to do
Beach access from camp: At Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach, campers can utilize the trolley service directly from the campground to Old Orchard Beach. "Great location trolley will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach," notes Jill P. For families, this eliminates parking hassles during peak summer season.
Explore coastal towns: Camping locations serve as convenient bases for visiting regional attractions. "This campground is close to Old Orchard Beach, the city of Portland, and towns of Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, Wells and Kittery Outlets," explains Ben P. Most coastal towns are within 30-45 minutes of Newington-area campgrounds.
Water recreation options: Huttopia Southern Maine in Sanford provides camping near freshwater swimming. The grounds are "manicured and aimed to be family friendly," according to A.C. Most tent sites are within walking distance to swimming areas, providing alternatives to saltwater beaches.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Cape Ann Camp Site offers particularly secluded tent sites. "The campground is full of beautiful boulders and fire pits. We were tent camping and were very happy with our site," shares Dan. Tent-specific areas often feature greater separation from RVs.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high in camper reviews across the region. At Sun Outdoors Saco, visitors appreciate the maintained grounds. "The staff was friendly, the bathrooms and grounds were very clean, activities were fun, the playground/pool was nice," reports Erin M. Most established campgrounds clean restrooms multiple times daily during peak season.
Natural surroundings: Many campers value camping areas that maintain natural features despite being developed sites. "It doesn't look like much but it is absolutely lovely when you actually pull in! We had a nice perfectly level site in a beautiful wooded area," writes Cristina P. about Cape Ann Camp Site.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds within driving distance of Newington operate only from May through mid-October. "The campground sits among tall pine trees which offer nice shade helps alleviate some of the feel of a crowded campground," notes Nancy W. about Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach. Reservations for weekend camping should be made 2-3 months in advance during summer.
Site surfaces: Many tent sites in this region have dirt or mulch surfaces rather than gravel or grass. "The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads," reports doris C. Site drainage varies significantly between campgrounds, which can affect camping during rainy periods.
Shower facilities: Pay showers remain common at camping areas near Newington. At Cape Ann Camp Site, "Showers require payment with quarters. I don't know how many quarters it takes because I don't carry change. So I washed my hair in the sink," explains Ben E. Always bring quarters for showers at most campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Families often prefer campgrounds with organized programming. "Kid activities were done regularly. Pizza and breakfast is very good if you do lunch want to cook. Outdoor movies were fun," shares Jill P. about Sun Outdoors Saco.
Water features: Salmon Falls River RV Resort offers multiple water recreation options. "If you have young kids this place is so fun! Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun!" explains Samantha N. Most family-oriented campgrounds charge additional fees for premium activities.
Proximity to attractions: When tent camping with children, consider sites near family-friendly destinations. "If you like to paddle, head to the Saco River Marsh. Here you can put in your own boats or rent some and paddle through beautiful marsh – just watch the tides," advises Nancy W. about activities near campgrounds in the Saco region.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RVers recommend examining site maps carefully before booking. "Campsites are level and site is fairly easy to maneuver with bigger rigs," notes Aaron G. about Salmon Falls River RV Resort. Most campgrounds post their site dimensions online.
Hookup options: Electric and water hookups vary widely among campgrounds in the Newington region. "We paid $60 a night for a 30 amp spot with water," reports Ben E. about Cape Ann Camp Site. Verify which utilities are included in base rates before booking.
Dump station access: Some campgrounds offer dump stations without full sewer hookups at individual sites. "There is no sewer hook up however, near the street there is a dump station," explains doris C. Most RV-friendly campgrounds within 50 miles of Newington offer at least dump station access for weekend campers.
