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Best Tent Camping near Rye, NH

626 Reviews

Tent campers seeking sites near Rye, New Hampshire have several established campgrounds within driving distance. Cape Ann Camp Site in Gloucester, Massachusetts offers wooded tent sites approximately 45 miles south of Rye, while Boston Harbor Islands State Park provides a more remote island camping experience with primitive tent sites. For those willing to travel slightly north, Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach in Maine provides tent-specific camping areas about 35 miles from Rye.

Most tent sites in the region feature natural terrain with minimal development. At Cape Ann, tent sites are set among trees and boulders, providing natural separation between campsites. "Cape Ann has beautiful tent sites surrounded by trees so it felt pretty private," noted one visitor. Facilities vary between locations, with most offering basic amenities like fire pits and picnic tables. Campers should check seasonal availability, as many campgrounds operate only from May through October. Pay showers are common at established sites, with Cape Ann charging 25 cents for a 5-minute shower. Boston Harbor Islands requires more planning, as campers must bring all supplies including drinking water.

The tent camping experience near Rye offers varying levels of seclusion and natural settings. Areas closer to the coast provide beach access, while inland sites offer more wooded surroundings. One camper described Cape Ann as "clean and secluded enough but close enough to others to meet and greet if you wanted." Walk-in tent sites at Boston Harbor Islands State Park provide a more remote experience, requiring ferry transportation but rewarding campers with unique coastal views and exploration opportunities. Tent campers frequently mention the benefit of shade at Cape Ann's wooded sites, particularly valuable during hot summer months. Wildlife sightings, including wild turkeys and deer, add to the natural camping experience at several locations.

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Best Tent Sites Near Rye, New Hampshire (11)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Rye, NH

19 Photos of 11 Rye Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Rye, NH

626 Reviews of 11 Rye Campgrounds

  • M.A.D. P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2023

    Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    Large and friendly park with plenty of water activity opportunities

    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. The park includes a large family beach on the lake. There are many opportunities for hiking, with trails leading to many special points of interest, including a mountaintop fire tower; an extensive marsh where beavers, deer, and great blue herons may be seen.

    The park lines the shore of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake.  The 192 sites are wooded and many provide views of the lake.  Each campsite has an open fire ring, picnic table, flat areas for a tent, and a parking space. The bathhouses are equipped with running water, flush toilets, and 24 hour showers.  There are no hook-ups at any of the campsites. The park also has a camp store where canoe and kayaks are available, as well as a plublic canoe and kayak launch. Five cabins are available; each sleeps six people, has electricity, and includes a fire ring and picnic table. Pets are not allowed in the campground or beach area of the park.

  • Migdalia G.
    May. 29, 2019

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Nice Wooded Campground in Awesome Area

    We stayed at Harold Parker State Forest Campground during Memorial Day Weekend. Reservation through Reserve America was a breeze. Check in till 9:00 pm was convenient. Checkout by 11:00 am but we paid for an additional night to be able to leave at night the day we checked out. Totally worth it!

    Nice large campsites. The sites’ privacy is very diverse. You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose but they are all pretty decent in size. All sites have water which is a plus. All have a fire pit/box, charcoal bbq and a picnic table. Most of them are drive in. 

    Quiet hours from 10 am to 7 am. No alcohol allowed (although I didn’t see an actual enforcement of this rule and guess it’ll happen only if people act out). Rangers are constantly patrolling. Felt pretty safe at night. You can’t bring wood. Bundles are $5 each and it burns really well. 

    Lots of biking/hiking/walking trails, a nice small pond/beach, boat access, a few basketball courts, a volleyball court and a common huge fire pit added to the fun. A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike. 

    Bathrooms were fairly clean although small and showers were free! Some sites were right in front of a lovely pond and there were many group sites available as well. 

    The location is pretty good. Salem, Andover, Boston Are accesible while staying here. Close proximity to Richardson Ice Cream which you CANT miss if you decide to stay.  They have cheap but amazing ice cream, mini golf and battling cages which was entertaining for my whole crew. 

    It rained a lot during one night of our stay and the site (301) did not flooded at all. All sites seemed in pretty good shape the morning after as well. 

    Beautiful and will recommend to families with small kids, groups and couples too.

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Cape Ann Camp Site

    25 cents for a shower

    The aerial photos of this place are very deceiving. This camp ground is the foreground of the main house which, is situated on the top of the hill. The sites are all dirt. There is no concrete pads. There is no WIFI. There is no sewer hook up however, near the street there is a "dump station."  The camp ground is run down and unmaintained. Our site had a fire ring which, was filled with ash. Our first night we woke up to a trailer filled with smoke because, someone near by had a fire in 92 degree heat. Most campers are full time residents. There is no sight of them during the day light hours but, at night they are up and about on bikes and mingling with each other. 

    25 cents per 5 minute hot shower is offered in the public restroom. Some shady people immediate started to hover near the public restroom once we drove up the hill to use the public restrooms. For $70/nite for a view it's not worth it. I was glad to leave- very creepy.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2021

    Tidewater Campground

    Large campground near, but not on the beach

    First of all, the location is a little quirky and I think I only arrived once without a wrong turn! Watch the GPS carefully. That said, it’s very close to Hampton Beach and you can easily drive or bike over. The campground is parallel to US1, so there is some road traffic noise. Some of the tent sites overlook the marsh. The tent sites are definitely tighter than trailer sites. Some sites back up to each other and it takes a moment to understand where one ends and the next begins. 

    I was here early in the season and placed in a seasonal site with water/electric. Site was level. Neighbors were friendly. The bathroom was a short walk away and spotless. I did notice that in the tent areas, the main bathrooms are supplemented with portable toilets. Sites are mostly wooded, which will offer nice relief from the heat. It's a nice base for exploring the area.

    There’s a gated entry and turtle-speed limit that they take seriously. The pool was not yet open. There’s a small store onsite for ice and essentials. All the big box stores and a number of restaurants are nearby. For a change of pace from seafood, I picked up Shane's Texas Pit BBQ and brought it back to my site. 

    You may request a reservation online, but you have to confirm and pay for it via the phone. You’ll need to arrive before 9pm to check in. Bring $10 for a cash deposit on the gate card. Only 1 vehicle and 1 camping unit (tent or trailer) allowed on a site.

    Downside: 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.

  • Sable W.
    May. 16, 2018

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Spacious, Quiet, Clean and Conveniently Located

    Five friends and I decided to compete in Questival, which came to Boston for May 11-12, 2018. There aren't many campgrounds open in Massachusetts this early in the season, but Harold Parker State Forest was! I snagged a group campsite since we'd have four tents. We had to set up after dark, so we wound up congregating in one corner of the group site. When we woke up we could see just how HUGE the group site was! We had 4 two-person tents; you could easily fit 3x that number of tents. PLENTY of flat ground to set up on, and we were far enough back from the road that we never heard or saw other campers arriving, even though we know most other Questival competitors stayed at this campground. It was about a 5 minute walk to the bathrooms and showers, and potable water was available right on the site. Even though it was early in the season and not very leafy, we could only occasionally see our neighbors' headlamps. There were 4 or 5 fire pits, 5 large picnic tables, and 3 driveways that could fit two cars each. Great value for the cost! We were pleased with the privacy, space, cleanliness, and amenities.

  • Meg T.
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Salisbury Beach State Reservation

    Seagulls hungry for Egg Rolls and sunsets galore!

    Stayed here with my partner for her birthday while we were up in the Plum Island/Rockport area. 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. We were situated next to a kind family who lent us fire starter and offered us some of their snacks they were making when we arrived, while we were setting up we did lose some egg rolls to a hungry seagull but I think he needed them more than we did. Not very private and sites are packed close together, but that is what I expected based off the map! I would absolutely return again, this time to check out the beach and surrounding area!

  • Anna C.
    Oct. 15, 2019

    Pawtuckaway State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Red Ledge Rebel Shell Rain Pants at Pawtuckaway State Park

    *CAMPGROUND REVIEW*

    This campground is definitely a dazzler and I was fortunate to visit on a quieter weekend. I was able to enjoy an especially picturesque sunset over the lake and I would definitely visit this spot again, especially with how accessible the campground is. There is a nice stretch of sandy beach at the campground as well as canoes and kayaks for rent. The convenience store at the campground had essentially everything you would need for a good camping trip. Definitely do your research on the different site numbers because some sites are much more private and scenic than others. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire pit as an added bonus.

    Pros: 

    -Within a short driving distance from the Boston area 

    -Lakefront sites available 

    -Canoe and kayak rentals available 

    -Well stocked convenience store 

    -Reasonable cell reception

    Cons: 

     -Can get busy during peak camping times 

     -Some sites have a lack of privacy

    *PRODUCT REVIEW*

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. During this trip, I took out a pair of Red Ledge Rain Pants. While it didn’t rain during my camping stay (great from a camper perspective, not so great from a reviewer perspective), I was able to try out the general fit of the pants. They have a nice stretch fit to them and a certainly one of the more stylish options as far as rain pants go. As is true for most waterproof gear, they run on the warmer side and don’t have a ton of ventilation so they may not be the best choice for hotter weather. Although I didn’t get to test out the pants in a camping setting, I did wear them a few days ago while making the 1.5 km evacuation route trek from my apartment to the flood shelter during one of the biggest typhoons to make landfall in Japan. After about 25-30 mins of walking in record breaking-ly heavy rain, the pants started to saturate around the knees and the upper thigh area started to get a bit soggy. That being said, this is probably the most extreme possible test setting and they did hold up reasonably well. Due to the aforementioned, I would recommend using these pants as a waterproof option when skiing/snowboarding in warmer weather where you still want a snow barrier but may not necessarily need the insulative warmth offered by actual snow pants.

    Pros: 

    -Stylish look 

     -Stretch fit 

     -Waterproof 

     Cons: 

     -Trap heat 

     -Not typhoon proof

  • k
    Aug. 15, 2019

    Dixons Coastal Maine Campground

    LOTS of people but lovely campground

    This is an extremely large campground.  It seems that most of them on the coast of Maine are.  We didn't get a very good sight, but the person who answered the phone basically told us that when we called and it was all they had, so I can't say too much about that either (#17).  The sight was small and between the two driveways.  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.  

    Now, on to the other stuff.  There is a small playground that is weathered but in decent shape.  The pool is lovely and meticulously kept.  The grounds, bathrooms and showers are spotless.  It's 50 cents for 5 minutes to take a shower (unheard of) with hot water.  There is even hot water to wash your dishes next to the bathrooms.

    They sell ice, wood ($7) and many "I forgots" in the store (bacon, milk, etc...).  They give you a security card to get into the grounds ($10 deposit).  The campground was SUPER quiet and quiet hours go to 8am (thank you)!  Only an RV about to leave made a ton of noise at 7.

    I would go there again.  It was a safe place close to so many things.  The beach and everything else is VERY close but not so close as to be annoying.... 5 minutes at most.

  • Todd G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 18, 2021

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Begining of the season getaway

    Harold Parker is pretty basic as it comes. It’s a nice place for sure. Lots of hiking. All the sites are very wooded. And there’s some sites along a river for fishing and such. Plenty of bath houses spread out through out the grounds. The weather happened to be pretty nice. A little windy at times. But ok over all this time. The sites have fire boxes. One on the ground and one that’s elevated. There are some areas where you can see roads and hear cars so not completely remote. But a nice place for sure. And cheap for MA residents which is great. There’s no alcohol allowed. Which I also like 😬 I had a great time.

Guide to Rye

Tent campsites near Rye, New Hampshire provide access to the rocky New England coastline and forested inland terrain. The region experiences seasonal temperature variations with summer highs averaging 80°F and cool nights around 60°F. Most camping areas within driving distance of Rye operate seasonally from May through October, with peak crowds in July and August.

What to do

Beach exploration: 4 miles from Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach to Old Orchard Beach for swimming and beachcombing. "The campground sits among tall pine trees which offer nice shade helps alleviate some of the feel of a crowded campground," notes Nancy W. Beach access includes a convenient shuttle during summer months.

Historic sites: Visit Fort Stark State Historic Site near Rye for coastal defense fortifications dating to World War II. Military history enthusiasts can also explore Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground which features historic fortifications. "We found all kinds of bunkers and a brick house. We ended up making a fire pit on the beach and a flat rock 'grill' to make our burgers," shares Jess G.

Kayaking: Saco River Marsh offers paddling opportunities with boat rentals available. Water levels vary with tides, so check conditions before launching. The marsh waterways connect to coastal areas with bird watching opportunities, particularly during migration seasons.

What campers like

Natural terrain: Large boulders and wooded sites at Cape Ann Camp Site provide site definition. "We had a nice perfectly level site in a beautiful wooded area," reports Cristina P. The terrain features naturally occurring rock formations throughout the camping areas.

Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening animal sightings common at several campgrounds near Rye. "Very nice folks, great sites with A LOT of space between them. Spectacular views and wild turkeys, deer, etc.," according to John S. at Cape Ann Camp Site. Early mornings offer best viewing opportunities.

Island camping: Ferry access to Boston Harbor Islands for remote tent sites. "Just getting to the island is a fun adventure. The island is beautiful and has an old fort to explore as well as a lot of Rocky shoreline and trails," writes Martha H. Ferry schedules vary seasonally, requiring advance planning.

What you should know

Water supply considerations: Tent sites on islands require bringing all drinking water. "Make sure that you bring enough drinking water and that you are ok with using the composting bathroom or going in the woods," advises Jess G. about Boston Harbor Islands. Plan for 1 gallon per person per day.

Ferry logistics: Boston Harbor camping requires multiple boat transfers. "We took all of our gear on the T to the harbor by the aquarium. We then took the ferry to Georges Island. After that we waited and got on a much smaller island to Lovells," explains Jess G. Pack light and consider collapsible wagons for gear transport.

Shower facilities: Pay showers common at Salmon Falls River RV Resort. "The showers require payment with quarters. I don't know how many quarters it takes because I don't carry change. So I washed my hair in the sink," notes Ben E. about Cape Ann Camp Site. Bring quarters if planning to use camp showers.

Tips for camping with families

Water recreation options: Multiple pools available at Salmon Falls River RV Resort. "If you have young kids this place is so fun! Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun!" shares Samantha N. Water activities provide entertainment during hot summer days.

Beach shuttle services: Seasonal transport from Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach. "In the summer there is a shuttle that takes you to the beach which is convenient," notes Nancy W. The shuttle eliminates parking challenges and fees at popular beaches.

Morning activities: Huttopia Southern Maine offers structured programs for children. "Grounds are manicured and aimed to be family friendly," mentions A.C. Many campgrounds schedule morning activities before peak heat, including nature walks and crafts.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Choose larger sites for extended stays. "Sites are not too close, clean bathrooms, friendly service," says Matt R. about Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach. Corner sites typically offer more space and privacy compared to interior locations.

Seasonal considerations: Most RV campgrounds near Rye close by mid-October. "Cape Ann Campground is located close to Gloucester and Rockport. The campground is clean and quiet with beautiful tent sites. The RV sites are not as secluded as the tent sites," according to Della S. Many RV sites require reservations 3-6 months in advance during peak season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rye, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rye, NH is Cape Ann Camp Site with a 4.1-star rating from 16 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Rye, NH?

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