Portsmouth seacoast camping offers sites from full-service RV resorts to forested tent camping areas within a 30-mile radius of the city. Campsites in the region feature a mix of oceanfront, lakefront, and wooded options with varied pricing from $43-70 per night. Most campgrounds operate from May through early October, with many requiring reservations up to a year in advance for waterfront sites during summer months.
What to do
Whale watching tours: Hampton Beach State Park Campground provides convenient access to daily whale watching excursions. "There are daily deep sea fishing trips from companies across the street," notes Jean C., who appreciates the location's proximity to these maritime adventures.
Beach activities: Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort serves as an excellent base for exploring multiple beaches. "About 5 miles to the east is Hampton Beach and a little farther is the town of Rye which are worth the drive. After lunch pop over to Wallis Sand Beach for an afternoon relaxing by the sea," advises Nancy W.
Lighthouse visits: Cape Neddick offers access to Nubble Lighthouse. Bob W. from Dixons Coastal Maine Campground suggests, "Don't miss Nubble Light House and Fox's Lobster house. Around the corner is a great Ice Cream shop."
Paddleboarding: Waterfront camping enables direct water access for paddling. Nancy W. describes her experience near Salisbury Beach: "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."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Libbys Oceanside Camp offers prime ocean views. "This campsite has a great view over the ocean towards the lighthouse. The site is very tidy and toilets clean! Everything you would need available," shares Olaf, while Alexander H. adds, "Awesome views. Ocean front sites."
Meticulously maintained grounds: Cleanliness stands out as a major positive for many campsites. "This is one of the cleanest, most meticulously maintained campground we have been to. So quiet and peaceful as well. Wifi service was excellent," notes Rebecca S. about Sea Coast Camping.
Wildlife viewing: Campers appreciate natural encounters throughout the region. One Pawsfuradventure T. at Wakeda Campground reports, "Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird."
Convenient beach access: Proximity to beaches remains a top priority. Meg T. at Salisbury Beach State Reservation notes: "Beautiful ocean access and great facilities. We stayed in a site right next to a large bathhouse with showers, plentiful stalls, and water bottle fill-up and rinse off station."
What you should know
Insect concerns: Low-lying campgrounds can have mosquito issues. At Old Stage Campground, one reviewer warns, "The lower portion of the campground is located in a swamp. The mosquitos were relentless."
Site placement matters: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers varying site quality. Ellen C. shares from experience: "In 2013 - site 25 was a little challenging since it was on a downgrade and we were hit with a an unexpected 36 hour downpour and there was only one suitable spot for our tent since the terrain is very rocky."
Weather considerations: Coastal conditions can be windy and change rapidly. David V. advises about Hampton Beach, "Be careful of your awning as it is very windy."
Site proximity: Many coastal campgrounds place sites close together. At Dixons, katrina M. observes, "This is an extremely large campground. It seems that most of them on the coast of Maine are. All of the sights seem to have rocky ground, so I recommend a sleep pad and a footprint for your tent so you don't rip the bottom."
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Playgrounds and pools provide entertainment for kids. "This is a kid friendly. Kid infested. Safe. Scenic. Perfect," describes Lyndzie O. about Old Stage Campground.
Secure environments: Beach Rose RV Park offers a controlled setting. Jac notes, "Arrived at dark and they were friendly and accommodating. Took a walk around in the morning and everyone was so nice. You could definitely bike to the beach."
Educational opportunities: Birdwatching and tide pool exploration appeal to curious children. At Salisbury Beach, Sara D. mentions, "Clean facilities, super quick access to the beach, friendly staff. Our family loves both the ocean & camping so it is a win-win!"
Seasonal timing: School vacation weeks bring more children. Madison G. cautions about Pawtuckaway, "This campground is beautiful and in a nice location in the state park but is really crowded in the summer months with large groups of loud children."
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Gravel pads may require additional leveling blocks. Nancy W. shares about Sea Coast: "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."
Hookup placement: Be prepared for unusual utility configurations. Chuck H. at Sea Coast RV Park notes, "Some of the best clear, clean, drinking water at high pressure we have come across."
Entertainment options: WiFi quality varies between parks. "The wifi worked perfectly for streaming tv despite the campground being fully booked for Memorial Day weekend," reports Jeff P.
RV length restrictions: Salisbury Beach State Reservation can accommodate larger rigs but has limitations. Nancy W. notes, "Many of the sites are short but since you can park on the grass that turns out not to be a problem."
