Best Campgrounds near Nottingham, NH

Nottingham, New Hampshire serves as a hub for diverse camping experiences, with state parks and private campgrounds offering varied accommodations within a short drive. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, located directly in Nottingham, features 192 wooded sites along Pawtuckaway Lake with opportunities for swimming, hiking, and paddling. Many sites provide lake views and water access for canoes and kayaks. Bear Brook State Park Campground in nearby Deerfield offers another well-regarded option with trails, ponds, and family-friendly amenities. The surrounding area includes private campgrounds like Wakeda Campground in Hampton Falls, which provides nearly 400 sites under tall pine trees, and several smaller facilities offering everything from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV spots and cabin rentals.

Camping in this region typically operates from early May through late October, with most facilities closing for the winter season. Advance reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays, particularly for waterfront sites. As one camper noted about Pawtuckaway State Park, "Make your reservation well in advance if you're planning to visit during peak season or if you want a prime waterfront site." Cell phone coverage can be spotty in some areas, with Verizon users reporting variable service at Pawtuckaway. Pet policies vary significantly between campgrounds, with many state parks restricting dogs during peak season. New Hampshire's summer weather brings warm days and cool nights, though campers should prepare for occasional thunderstorms and persistent mosquitoes, especially near water bodies.

Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Nottingham area, with several campgrounds offering lake or pond frontage. Pawtuckaway State Park provides what one visitor described as "a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone," including a family beach, hiking trails to a fire tower, and marshlands for wildlife viewing. Bear Brook State Park similarly offers multiple recreation options with trails for hiking and mountain biking, swimming areas, and fishing opportunities. Most campgrounds maintain quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., creating family-friendly environments. Campsites typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and parking spaces, with bathhouses providing flush toilets and showers. The region's proximity to both natural attractions and coastal areas makes it popular for weekend getaways from Boston and other New England cities.

Best Camping Sites Near Nottingham, New Hampshire (189)

    1. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Raymond, NH
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 895-3031

    $35 - $140 / night

    "Driving around this past weekend I did notice that some of the sites had damp spots; site 71 was the worst with deep mud on the long approach."

    "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."

    2. Bear Brook State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Candia, NH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 485-9869

    $35 - $45 / night

    "Tucked away in what feels like the middle of nowhere New Hampshire is it's largest state park. Bear Brook is full of trails, ponds and a fairly large campground."

    "Site 91 is near the entrance, but large and set back from the camp road, so it offers some extra seclusion. It’s across the street from the playground."

    3. Wakeda Campground, LLC

    16 Reviews
    Exeter, NH
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 772-5274

    $48 - $97 / night

    "We had bathrooms located near our site. They were four separate bathrooms that had a sink and toilet and were clean. They did offer showers in another area but I did not use them."

    "Our full hookup site was very close to other sites, so unfortunately we had to deal with some noise issues."

    4. Old Stage Campground

    9 Reviews
    Madbury, NH
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 742-4050

    $43 - $47 / night

    "Walking distance to rest rooms and showers. Great owners. 1st trip in a hurricane."

    "Learning to get away from the bad campers."

    5. Wellington Camping Park

    5 Reviews
    Lee, NH
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 659-5051

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Had to walk around to find signal for phone call."

    "Sites are wide I parked my truck next to camper and still had enough space for a safe fire in the pit."

    6. Barrington Shores Campground

    3 Reviews
    Barrington, NH
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 664-9333

    "Lots of things to do in surrounding towns and easy access to the river."

    7. Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort

    10 Reviews
    North Hampton, NH
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 964-5730

    "So clean, friendly staff and plenty to do here or close by. Minutes away from some very nice beaches"

    "Their location is close to Hampton Beach and Rye sea walk and good restaurants including a doughnut shop within walking distance."

    8. Epsom Valley Campground

    8 Reviews
    Epsom, NH
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 736-9758

    $35 - $165 / night

    "I enjoyed the hiking trails in the back and a pretty good amount of things to do near by. Being able to walk to a store and restaurant is great."

    "We only wanted to stay for one and when we arrived, the older women drove me around in the golf cart to see which site would best suit us and I just thought it was the sweetest thing!"

    9. Tuxbury Pond RV Campground

    15 Reviews
    South Hampton, NH
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "entrance (seems to happen frequently, I guess)."

    "We went just for one night with a tent because our 5 years old loooves camping, so we reserved this at the last minute, and when we get there, well, the tent sites are way too close to each other, thank"

    10. Exeter Elms Campground

    7 Reviews
    Exeter, NH
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 778-7631

    $45 - $59 / night

    "Site across the path was a little loud, but we were too I imagine... bet it'd be lots of fun for the kiddos."

    "Sites weren’t bad, clean campground, pool & canoe rentals, family activities offered, short drive to the beaches. Primitive camping, waterfront sites & cabins available :)"

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Recent Reviews near Nottingham, NH

872 Reviews of 189 Nottingham Campgrounds


  • M
    Feb. 17, 2026

    Forest Glen

    Forest Glenn campground

    Forest Glenn campground is a very nice campground on Wheelwright pond in Lee New Hampshire! Not well kept up but makes you feel like you’re still camping and not glamping ( glamorous camping ) besides some of the very nice campers here with 2 stories on them! Anyway cutting to the chase, just to let any new comers know that are looking for camping in the Lee area if you so choose to camp at forest Glenn depending who you are or how you approach this place dictates if you will have to feel like your stepping on eggshells your entire stay… the owner is a angry Drunk who is sometimes very nice to others or very nasty, and I personally mostly see him being nasty. A couple years back I wanted to look at the campground to see if this would be a place I wanted to stay at so I walked into the office and asked them if we could look around and the lady was in the process of writing us a pass to drive through. This man comes in and said whats going on so I politely told him that we were interested in his campground and we wanted to look around. He completely flipped out said he doesn't understand, said his campground is his back yard, we can't allow this how would you like if I just walked around your back yard etc etc.... yelling at us the whole time and spitting while screaming and then told us to get out of his sight…. This place mind you is overrun by golf carts and I have heard of incidents where people get hit by them because who cares about the posted 5mph speed limitations if your in a golf carts right? Right! And CLEARLY this place is a Double standard place so you will not be treated equal… and as far as I know this place has secret people who camp supposedly working at camp like the manager and security and the plumber or electrician who look like their helping but while helping they gather information about you to spread it around to others or to cause problems with you and the owner!! Oh how thoughtful… one Morning I was in the office and the owner pulled me into the rec room to have a talk with me about my string lights suggesting I shut them off at night and I’m not allowed to use them anymore. I said “sir why would I do that there are 50 other sites with spot lights and string lights Who are these lights bothering that I need to take them down for? “ he said use them inside the trailer I don’t want to see them on again! “ now tell me how that makes any sense… so I shut them off and it became like a minefield on my site at night with no lights while the campers down a different street get to have theirs on. There is no privacy at this place, things keep going missing, and the sites are packed like sardines with no room for Jesus. There are also people staying here over winter and it’s a seasonal campground tell me how that makes any sense. Anyway definitely an experience to be at where drama hits too close to home and the golf cart parking spots are rolling a little to close to my feet. “ oh sorry my foot slipped “ #welp time to search for another place. Seems to be a trend with almost every campground. Angry owners who automatically cause problems or can’t run their own business place without drug addicts for help ( to say the least me and my wife WILL NOT BE COMING BACK )

  • Sandra P.
    Feb. 16, 2026

    Harbor Hill Camping Area

    Best Seasonal Campground in the Lakes Region!

    This is a great campground to be a seasonal at! 1 mile from a beautiful beach on Lake Winnipesaukee. 1 mile from town with cute shops and nice restaurants. Friendly staff. Seasonals are very friendly and welcome new seasonals. Campground is taken care of. It is family owned and they really care. I love the fact it is all seasonal- it has a wonderful community feel.

  • L
    Feb. 5, 2026

    Tuxbury Pond RV Campground

    This camping trip truly exceeded my expectations

     The campground was clean, peaceful, and surrounded by wide open views. During the day, the natural landscape felt refreshing and expansive, and at night, the sky was filled with stars, creating a calm and almost magical atmosphere. The layout of the campsite was well planned, making it easy and comfortable for both beginners and experienced campers to enjoy their stay. One fun thing I did after the trip was use Idea To Image to recreate some of the moments that stood out to me—sunrise over the tents, the warmth of the campfire, and the quiet starry night. It helped me turn those memories into beautiful visuals that really captured the peaceful vibe of the experience. Looking back at them now feels like being transported right back to the campsite. Highly recommend this place if you’re looking to slow down and reconnect with nature.

    One fun thing I did after the trip was use Idea To Image to recreate some of the moments that stood out to me—sunrise over the tents, the warmth of the campfire, and the quiet starry night. It helped me turn those memories into beautiful visuals that really captured the peaceful vibe of the experience. Looking back at them now feels like being transported right back to the campsite. Highly recommend this place if you’re looking to slow down and reconnect with nature.

  • Alexander H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 29, 2025

    Hanscom AFB FamCamp

    Nice Campground near Boston

    This is a nice campground near historic Lexington and Boston.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2025

    Little Ossipee Lake Campground

    Great location

    This cpground is full of seasonal sp no transient sites. Has good owners who keep the park clean and well maintained. Very friendly campground.

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 17, 2025

    Cape Neddick Oceanside Campground

    Two week stay

    Read reviews on google. That’s the experience we had. The signs no everything. Cash only. The management is very weird acting and riding around on a bicycle. I feel so weird making this review because this place is odd . The tenants are fun and the scenery is great. But but but you’ve been warned. Turn your blue tooth off and your WiFi so that your cellphone privacy is protected.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Spacious Skies French Pond

    Helpful staff

    The staff was friendly. Don't forget the flashlight. There is very little lighting to find your way around the winding roads of the campground which adds to the charm.

  • Marc D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Gunstock Campground

    Great Spot

    Fairly extensive camp ground associated with Gunstock ski area on central New Hampshire. We arrived without a reservation a bit after the office closed, but Elena, the manager came out to let us in and allowed us to check in. She was great. Dogs must have proof of rabies vaccine. Very nice showers. Beautiful fall colors.


Guide to Nottingham

The Nottingham area sits at the northeastern edge of New Hampshire's coastal lowlands, approximately 300-400 feet above sea level, creating diverse camping environments from lakeshores to pine forests. Cell phone coverage varies considerably throughout campgrounds near Nottingham, with ATT generally providing better service than Verizon in many locations. Water bodies and forested sites typically experience higher mosquito activity between June and August.

What to do

Canoe rentals and river exploration: At Wellington Camping Park, campers can rent canoes for exploring the Lamprey River directly from the campground. "They also rent canoes here. Nice playground, game room, laundry, showers, bathroom. We enjoyed our little stay!" reports AdventureStang.

Archery practice: Bear Brook State Park offers dedicated archery ranges for visitors to practice their skills. "There are two archery ranges and wheelchair accessible docks for fishing," notes Jean C., highlighting the variety of activities available beyond hiking and swimming.

Mountain biking trails: Bear Brook State Park Campground features extensive trail networks specifically designed for mountain biking. "The biking trails were a blast. We'll definitely be back again," writes Eammon C., while another reviewer mentions, "Mountain biking is awesome here, can ride right off the campground and onto the trails!"

What campers like

Secluded waterfront tent sites: Calef Lake Camping Area offers tent sites along water features. "Riverfront secluded areas... Located Beside a lake, The water is great for swimming, and the playground is absolutely perfect for kids and adults alike," states Alyse-Beast F.

Well-maintained facilities: Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort earns consistent praise for cleanliness. "This is one of the cleanest, most meticulously maintained campground we have been to. So quiet and peaceful as well. Wifi service was excellent," shares Rebecca S.

Seasonal activities and entertainment: Tuxbury Pond RV Campground provides ongoing entertainment during peak season. One camper describes their experience: "The live band was good & the stand up comedy was awesome... All 3 comedians were clearly aware that there was a child in the audience & one specific comedian said right from the get-go that he was going to keep it clean for his bit."

What you should know

Pet restrictions vary by season: Some state parks have seasonal restrictions for dogs. At Pawtuckaway State Park, one reviewer noted: "I went one summer on the way to Maine and loved everything! Kayaking, swimming area and hiking were all 5 stars! 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."

Check-in procedures and timing: Old Stage Campground and others may have limited office hours. One Pawtuckaway visitor noted: "On Friday afternoon from about 1pm (when we first arrived) til 5 (when we last checked) the ranger station was closed, so we couldn't check in or get wood."

Campsite selection is crucial: Site layout and privacy vary widely between and within campgrounds. At Bear Brook, a visitor observed: "Mostly level sites sit under towering pines and vary greatly in size. Many of the sites are separated from their neighbors by large, downed pine trees."

Tips for camping with families

Scout for playground proximity: When booking sites at Bear Brook, note their relation to play areas. "Site 93 is so close to the playground and the fire ring placement makes it seem like families enjoying the playground will be tempted to walk through your site. If you want to be close to the play area, site 90 or the ones on the loop behind it are better options."

Separate swimming areas for dogs: Some campgrounds accommodate pets with dedicated swimming spots. At Wellington Camping Park, "They have a special beach for your dog if you're a puppy owner like me this is one of the only campgrounds that is very pet friendly," reports Alley H.

DVD rentals for rainy days: Wellington Camping Park offers a solution for inclement weather. "They also have free DVD rentals for those rainy days and some games up by the office if you have kids its also a wonderful campground," mentions Alley H.

Tips from RVers

Booking larger pull-through sites: At Sea Coast Camping, the layout considers practical concerns. "Pull through sites, while close were arranged in such a way so that you are not next to the sewer hookup of your neighbor. A big plus for me," shares Mommy D.

Water pressure and quality: When camping at Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort, visitors praise the utilities. "No issues with electric, sewer or water hookups. Some of the best clear, clean, drinking water at high pressure we have come across," according to Chuck H.

Extra care backing into sites: Some campgrounds require careful maneuvering. At Bear Brook, one camper advised: "I noticed that the little loop to my campsite was tight to exit (I was towing a 14' teardrop, not a big trailer) and I had to be careful to swing wide at the corner."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping at Nottingham Lake in NH?

While there isn't a campground called Nottingham Lake specifically, Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers excellent lakeside camping in the Nottingham area. The park features wooded sites, many with water access, where you can enjoy swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. The campground offers a variety of landscapes with a family beach on the lake and numerous hiking trails. Make reservations well in advance for prime waterfront sites, especially during peak season.

What campgrounds are available near Nottingham?

Several quality campgrounds surround the Nottingham area. Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages is a small, family-owned option offering beautiful pond views in a quiet setting. Bear Brook State Park Campground in nearby Allenstown is New Hampshire's largest state park with trails, multiple ponds, and family-friendly amenities. Other nearby options include Barrington Shores Campground for drive-in camping, Exeter Elms Campground near Exeter, and Roots and Wings Homestead for a more rustic experience in rural New Hampshire.

Which is the most popular campground near Nottingham, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Nottingham, NH is Pawtuckaway State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 44 reviews.

What parks are near Nottingham, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Nottingham, NH that allow camping, notably Hopkinton-Everett Lake and Edward MacDowell Lake.