Cabin rentals within 30 miles of Rye, New Hampshire range from basic shelters to air-conditioned accommodations with kitchenettes. Most properties require 1-2 night minimums during summer months. The coastal location creates cooler evening temperatures compared to inland areas, with overnight lows typically ranging from 55-65°F even in July and August.
What to do
Kayak on Pawtuckaway Lake: Several campers highlight waterfront access at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground. "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. The park rents canoes and kayaks directly at the campground for approximately $15-20 per hour.
Visit nearby farm stands: The agricultural areas surrounding Wakeda Campground offer seasonal produce during summer stays. "The location is great being 10 minutes or so from Hampton beach. Lots of little farms in the area too," reports Kris S. Most farm stands operate from 9am-5pm daily from June through September, with strawberry picking available in mid-June.
Enjoy miniature golf: On-site recreation at Wakeda provides entertainment without driving. "They offered electric, water, and sewer hook up, trading post that had camping goods and snacks, WiFi hotspot, pool table, and lounging area. They also had a game room, miniature golf, coffee shop and dog park," writes Pawsfuradventure T. The mini-golf course charges a separate fee beyond camping costs.
What campers like
Clean facilities: The consistent maintenance at Cape Neddick Oceanside Campground receives praise from visitors. "Showers and toilets are clean. 10/10 experience," states Evelyn. This oceanfront property maintains limited capacity with sites typically booked months in advance during peak season.
Swimming options: Multiple water access points make Tuxbury Pond RV Campground appealing for water recreation. "Beautiful campground, clean facilities, clean grounds, gated campground with card key access in/out of the grounds, 2 pools (closed for the season during our stay), pavilion, activities/entertainment," notes Sara D. The two swimming pools typically operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Spacious wooded sites: The natural setting at Old Stage Campground creates privacy between campers. "The sites were spacious in wooded area near a small river. The road in is dirt but is mostly level," explains Erin S. The campground offers approximately 100 sites with varying levels of tree coverage, with the most secluded spots requiring early booking.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Some properties use third-party booking services that don't provide complete information. "You do not get a choice during the online booking to choose the campsite to reserve & the site # is not included in the confirmation email," explains a reviewer at Tuxbury Pond RV Campground. Call directly to request specific cabin locations or amenity details not listed online.
Pest considerations: Insects can be problematic at some locations. "The bugs, however, really prevented us from enjoying spending time outdoors," notes a camper at Old Stage Campground. Mosquitoes are typically worst near water features from dusk to early morning, with black fly season running from mid-May through early June.
Variable bathroom quality: Facility maintenance differs significantly between properties. "The bathroom was clean. The walk to the beach was along a public parking lot. The beach was clean. The small store is well stocked," reports Susan B. about Pawtuckaway State Park. Most park facilities offer shower houses with coin-operated hot water (50¢-$1 for 5-minute showers).
Tips for camping with families
Check for special events: Many campgrounds host activities specifically for younger visitors. "Adult bingo every Friday DJ for kids every Saturday," notes Alicia M. about Exeter Elms Campground. These programs typically run between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
Consider site location: Proximity to bathrooms impacts convenience but affects noise levels. "They were right next to the bathroom which was convenient but loud. Ventilation in the bathroom was not good so the doors were propped open much of the time and loud hand dryers," shares Cassie G. about Winding River Campground. Request sites at least 4-5 spaces away from facilities for better sleep quality.
Scout the playgrounds: Recreation areas vary significantly in quality and maintenance. "Two playgrounds, both were nice. Water slide was fun," reports a Winding River visitor. Some properties offer modern equipment while others maintain older structures with limited features.
Tips from RVers
Check power reliability: Electrical service quality differs between campgrounds. "Great employees, clean reliable power. No issues great spread out sites," explains Zachary W. about Wakeda Campground. Most cabin camping areas near Rye offer 30-amp service as standard, with 50-amp available at select premium sites.
Site approach challenges: Access roads can present difficulties for larger vehicles. "A little tip about GPS: if you're using Apple Maps, it will likely take you to a turn that is not the campground entrance, there's even a hand-written sign on someone's lawn that has directions to the entrance," warns a visitor to Moody Beach RV Campground.
Site layouts vary: The arrangement of RV sites impacts outdoor living space. "The 30 amp sites are very close together. The campground layout is quite unusual, with campers parked lengthwise along the road. This means that you share the space where you sit outside with the camper behind you, resulting in very little privacy," notes Arno W. about Moody Beach RV Campground.
