The camping areas surrounding Salem, New Hampshire offer diverse landscapes across a 30-mile radius spanning southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. The region sits at elevations between 100-400 feet above sea level, creating rolling terrain with numerous small ponds and lakes. Most campgrounds experience seasonal closures from November through April due to New England's winter conditions, with average summer temperatures ranging from 60-85°F.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Bear Brook State Park Campground provides extensive trail networks specifically designed for mountain bikers. "We camped here to check out the mountain bike trails in the park and we're not disappointed on either count. The campground is nice and spacious, well kept and the staff is friendly. The biking trails were a blast," notes Eammon C. The park maintains separate trails for different skill levels across its 10,000-acre landscape.
Kayaking on quiet waters: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers canoe and kayak rentals directly at the campground for exploring the lake. "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," explains Matt R. The rental facility operates daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Golf activities: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park combines camping with a full golf course experience. "Nice RV campground with alot of seasonal residents. Plenty of tent sites. On site general store with grill. Fishing and swimming on property along with a club house," writes Shawn C. The course offers both 9 and 18-hole options with cart rentals available on-site.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Harold Parker State Forest receives consistent praise for maintenance. "It was a quiet night and bathrooms where clean. Has spacious showers. Park rangers drive around campground often," shares Marisabel R. Unlike some state parks, Harold Parker offers free showers, though campers note the facilities are basic.
Historical proximity: Spacious Skies Minute Man provides strategic access to Revolutionary War sites. "Concord is only 30 minute drive away with two full days of revolutionary historic sites, and famous people home tours such as Louisa May Alcott. Lots of good coffee spots and restaurants in historic downtown Concord," notes Ann B. The campground serves as a convenient base for exploring multiple historical landmarks within a 20-mile radius.
Beach access: Salisbury Beach State Reservation offers immediate ocean access. "Clean facilities, super quick access to the beach, friendly staff, sites are pretty close together with little separation between each other. RV & tent sites available. Our family loves both the ocean & camping so it is a win-win!" shares Sara D. The beach provides swimming areas supervised by lifeguards from late June through August.
What you should know
Seasonal fluctuations: Many campgrounds drastically change character between peak and off-peak times. "We went in early May, when it was still a bit cold at night (in the low 40s) and not many people were around. The campground, though we had neighbors in every adjoining site, was pretty quiet," writes Kris M. about their experience at Pawtuckaway State Park.
Alcohol restrictions: Several state parks have strict alcohol policies. "Only complaint about Massachusetts state parks is no alcohol even while sitting in your site," notes Randy R. about Harold Parker State Forest. This restriction applies to multiple state-run facilities across both Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Site spacing considerations: Tuxbury Pond RV Campground varies significantly in site privacy. "The tent sites are way too close to each other, thank god we just had one other guy next to us but was very uncomfortable being too close, no privacy at all," explains Ana. Private campgrounds tend to place sites closer together than state parks in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Bear Brook State Park Campground provides recreational options beyond hiking. "I was here with a 5-year-old the last time and she enjoyed the playgrounds both at the campground and at the Catamount Pond beach. There's another beach in the campground itself," Jean C. explains. The campground maintains separate swimming areas for different age groups.
Educational programs: Campers with children appreciate ranger-led activities. "A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike," shares Migdalia G. about their experience at Harold Parker State Forest. Programs typically operate on weekends during peak summer months.
Protected swimming: Calef Lake Camping Area offers smaller, contained water access. "Beautiful location in southern NH! Located Beside a lake, The water is great for swimming, and the playground is absolutely perfect for kids and adults alike," writes Alyse-Beast F. The shallow swimming area features a gradual entry point ideal for younger children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning challenges: Some campgrounds have awkwardly placed utilities. "The water and electric were between our site and the next on one side and sewer between our site and the one on the other side. This made it difficult to place our trailer on the slanted site and reach all services," Carry M. notes about Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park. Bringing extension cords and longer water hoses helps overcome these limitations.
Satellite reception: For RVers relying on satellite TV, tree cover impacts signal. "Most of the sites are wide open so getting satellite is possible. We were able to get plenty of antenna channels and had a strong Verizon phone signal," shares Nancy W. about Salisbury Beach State Reservation. The coastal campgrounds generally offer better reception than inland, forested sites.
RV size limitations: Wakeda Campground can accommodate larger rigs but requires careful navigation. "Great employees, clean reliable power. No issues great spread out sites," reports Zachary W. The campground can handle units up to 40 feet, though some interior roads require slow, cautious driving.
