Camping options near Newmarket, New Hampshire span across southern New Hampshire and into neighboring Maine, with many sites located within 30 miles of town. The area's elevation ranges from sea level to 300 feet, creating diverse camping environments from coastal sites to inland forest settings. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with higher humidity near the coast, while spring and fall camping seasons offer cooler temperatures with occasional frost at night.
What to do
Beach access: At Thousand Trails Moody Beach in Maine, the oceanfront location provides easy beach access about 35 minutes from Newmarket. "This spot is central to local spots in Ogunquit, ME or Wells, ME," notes one reviewer, with another mentioning it's "only a 15-minute walk" to reach the beach.
Golf outings: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park in Derry combines camping with golfing on a 1,300-acre property. "The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc," reports a visitor. The facility includes "on site general store with grill" and both "fishing and swimming on property along with a club house."
Water activities: The area's lakes and ponds support numerous water sports, especially during warmer months. One visitor to Sandy Beach Campground noted the "sandy beach by the water has plenty of room to relax out in the sun as well as launch areas to set out in a paddle boat, canoe or row boat, all available on site."
What campers like
Entertainment options: Campgrounds often schedule events and activities, particularly on weekends. At Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, one camper encountered unexpected entertainment: "There was a gentleman that started setting up for a comedy show...the band was good & the stand up comedy was awesome. For the most part, the comedians kept it fairly clean."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. A visitor to Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach found that "the bathrooms and grounds were very clean, activities were fun, the playground/pool was nice and the Maine blueberry pancakes were amazing!"
Proximity to attractions: Location is valued by campers seeking easy access to regional destinations. "This KOA is close to Old Orchard Beach, the city of Portland, and towns of Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, Wells and Kittery Outlets," reported one camper, emphasizing the convenience for day trips while maintaining a home base.
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Most campgrounds in the region operate from mid-April through mid-October. A camper at Seacoast Camping and RV Resort observed, "We were there in the off-season(May) and didn't have any neighbors so it was pretty quiet." Weather conditions vary significantly throughout the season.
Site spacing: Many campgrounds feature sites positioned close together, especially during peak season. One visitor noted, "Most of the grounds were dense- comprised primarily of RVs and various cabins. Though there were a few tent sites." Another mentioned, "The spacing between sites varies across these facilities, with most parks featuring closely positioned RVs."
Reservation requirements: Summer weekends and holiday periods typically require advance booking. A visitor to Sandy Beach Campground mentioned that while weekdays remain "quiet," activity "picks up over weekends but not to overbearing." Many campers recommend booking at least 2-3 months ahead for prime summer dates.
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Swimming pools provide recreation when natural water isn't available or desired. At Wild Acres Sun RV Resort, one camper observed it "has walkable beach access, and the kids loved the heated pool." Another noted it was "a nicely shaded and quiet park, even with kids running around."
Playground access: Dedicated play areas help keep children entertained. One visitor mentioned, "There was a nice pool for the kiddos, as well as kayaks and water toys for the pond, which looks like a lake." Parents appreciate having on-site recreation options when not exploring the region.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule family-oriented events, particularly on weekends. A camper reported, "Great family friendly facility with a playground. Events and activities are run by management." Another noted, "Kid activities were done regularly. Pizza and breakfast is very good if you do lunch want to cook. Outdoor movies were fun."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking RV sites, confirm specific dimensions and layout. One RV camper stated, "Our site (#124) was one of the new sites which they had just completed. It was a gravel back-in which was plenty long and level." Site selection becomes especially important for larger rigs.
Maneuvering challenges: Some campgrounds have limited space for turning larger vehicles. A camper described one challenge: "The roads in the park are fairly narrow and we had to drive over the grass across from our site in order to back in." Pre-arrival research about access roads helps prevent difficult situations.
Hookup configurations: RV sites offer various utility arrangements which can affect setup convenience. A reviewer noted one campground had "water and electric were between our site and the next on one side and sewer between our site and the one on the other side. This made it difficult to place our trailer on the slanted site and reach all services."
