Camping near North Hampton, New Hampshire offers convenient access to both coastal beaches and inland recreation areas within a 20-mile radius. Most campgrounds in this area operate from May through October, with water systems typically winterized by mid-October. Summer temperatures average 75-82°F during daytime hours with evening temperatures dropping to 55-65°F, particularly at inland locations away from the moderating coastal influence.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing on Pawtuckaway Lake: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground features numerous sites with direct water access for paddling. "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," notes Matt R. about the park's unique layout.
Beach activities at Hampton Beach: Hampton Beach State Park Campground provides oceanfront camping with easy beach access. "The ocean breezes are fantastic. One side of the campground is bordered by an inlet that fishing boats use to head out from the harbor. Another side is sand dunes, that are the south end of Hampton beach," explains Steve K. The location puts campers within walking distance of classic New England beach experiences.
Deep sea fishing excursions: Camping sites near Hampton and North Hampton provide access to fishing charters. Jean C. shares about Hampton Beach State Park: "I enjoyed the morning deep sea fishing trips from companies across the street." Most charters operate from May through September with trips lasting 4-8 hours depending on the package.
What campers like
Proximity to coastal attractions: Wakeda Campground in Hampton Falls offers woodsy sites with quick access to beaches. "Its a nice no frills campground. We stayed in one of cabins and it served its purpose especially during a passing storm. The location is great being 10 minutes or so from Hampton beach. Lots of little farms in the area too," reports Kris S.
Wooded seclusion: Wakeda Campground provides forested sites that contrast with the more open beach camping options. "We were overwhelmed by the beautiful massive forest. The campground was splendid with old tall, pine trees everywhere," explains Pawsfuradventure T., who also noted wildlife sightings including "wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird."
Salt water pools: For those who want alternatives to ocean swimming, Tidewater Campground offers a salt water pool option. Michelle C. mentions, "My only reason for giving is a 3 is good wifi, decent location to the beach, and salt water pool." This provides families an alternative swimming option when ocean conditions are rough.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Many campgrounds have different rules during peak and off-peak seasons. At Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, Erin W. notes: "Tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months."
Varying shower policies: Shower facilities differ between campgrounds with some charging additional fees. Jean C. observes about Tidewater Campground: "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."
Site spacing considerations: Many North Hampton area camping sites have close neighbors, especially at more popular destinations. At Beach Rose RV Park, Ray C. explains: "Great campground, though spaces are small, place is clean, nice pool and staff is very friendly, helpful and responsive! We thought the small campsites would bother us, but after one day we got used to it and it was fine."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort provides play facilities for children. Crystal C. highlights the family-friendly amenities: "Will definitely be back with the kids so the kids can have fun on the big playground." The playground includes multiple climbing structures suitable for different age groups.
Water recreation options: Salisbury Beach State Reservation offers multiple water activities for families. "We loved paddle boarding in the river where seals were plentiful and fun to watch. There is also another winding river that goes through a marshy area that was great for bird watching," shares Nancy W., though she cautions about tides: "Beware of tides and strong currents in these areas as they can make paddling difficult."
Seasonal entertainment: Some campgrounds offer structured activities during summer months. Alicia M. mentions that Exeter Elms Campground provides "Adult bingo ever Friday DJ for kids every saturday," creating scheduled entertainment options for different age groups.
Tips from RVers
Gate access considerations: When arriving at campgrounds in the North Hampton area, be prepared for security systems. Michelle C. warns about Tidewater Campground: "Nowhere does it say but you must have $10 in cash only to get a gate key. We had to leave and find an ATM for this inconvenience even though we had a balance due."
Limited satellite reception: Tree cover at many campgrounds impacts satellite services. Nancy W. notes about Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort: "The park does not have cable and we were not able to get reception on our satellite because of the trees and could not get any over-the-air channels." Most campgrounds do offer WiFi near main buildings.
Site maneuverability challenges: Several campgrounds have limited space for larger RVs to navigate. Nancy W. explains about Sea Coast: "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. Lucky for us nobody was parked in that site." Request end sites or pull-throughs when possible if driving larger rigs.
