139 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Salem, New Hampshire range from rustic state parks to full-service RV resorts, with options within a 30-mile radius. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground in Nottingham features tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping accommodations amid a scenic lake setting. Closer to the Massachusetts border, campers find established facilities like Tuxbury Pond RV Campground in South Hampton, which accommodates various camping styles including tent camping and cabin rentals. Several state forests and parks in the region maintain developed campgrounds with moderate amenities, while private campgrounds offer more extensive hookups and facilities.
Most camping areas in the region operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with limited availability during winter months. Harold Parker State Forest, located south of Salem, provides water spigots at nearly every site, though hookup positioning may be inconvenient for RVs. Reservations are essential during summer months, particularly for waterfront sites at popular destinations like Pawtuckaway State Park. The terrain varies from flat, developed campgrounds near town to more rugged settings in state parks. Many sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathroom facilities, though amenities differ significantly between public and private lands. According to one visitor, "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."
Public campgrounds throughout the region typically receive higher ratings for natural settings and water access, with many campers highlighting the quality of waterfront sites. Bear Brook State Park Campground, approximately 25 miles northwest of Salem, earns praise for its family-friendly atmosphere and extensive trail systems. Visitors consistently mention the privacy levels at state park campsites as a key factor in their camping experience. RV travelers appreciate the full-hookup options at privately operated campgrounds like Beach Rose RV Park, which provides convenient access to coastal attractions. A review noted that some state park bathhouses are "tired, but they offer free showers," reflecting the general experience at public facilities. Proximity to attractions in Salem and Boston serves as a major draw for many campgrounds, with Winter Island Park in Salem being particularly popular for its location despite limited privacy between sites.
"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."
"Every site seems to have its own water spigot, though it's not necessarily conveniently located if you want to hook up a trailer/RV. There are 11 sites with water/electric."
from $17 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $35 - $140 / night
Check Availability"We had plans on both sides of the state line, so the location worked really well for our trip."
"The location is what made this place for us. Waking up and being able to walk right down to the water was great. We spent most of our stay fishing, sitting outside, and just enjoying the campground."
from $1950 / night
Check Availability"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"
"We love that it is right on the water, and we can walk to the beach. We also appreciate that it is pet friendly, and our dogs love it too."
"The electrical post and water hookup were placed way behind our site and we could not reach even with our 40’ electrical cord."
from $28 - $38 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $48 - $97 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The location was perfect to see so much in the area (Minute Man National Historical Park, Boston, Salem, Plymouth, Cape Cod, Providence etc)."
"The pool is huge and clean and there is a ton of seating around. The shop has everything you could need. There are horseshoes, can jam, basketball, and bocce. There’s a playground and a rec room."
from $44 - $999 / night
Check Availability"Simple, clean, perfect pool set up, quiet and close to beaches and New Hampshire coastline."
"Great location from the ocean and some nice towns to visit. Boston and Salem are very close and you can take a train which is only 5 minutes away from the campground. "
GuideGet a site in the back with the trees if possible. They are much bigger sites and more secluded. Cash only ($61) but there is an ATM in the office. The manager was very helpful giving me a local map and telling me the sites to see. She recommended a few restaurants for great food.
TravelerWhat a gem of a campground. The park staff are very helpful and friendly. The facilities: bathrooms, showers, dump station and trash receptacles are spotless. They offer nature oriented fun activities for all ages! And they even have playgrounds for the littles to play on. The sites are are mixed use, offering tent only, RV with electric, and group sites. They also have yurts that can rented, which come with a full size bed and bunk beds.
ScoutThis RV park was a small little park with a little lake to fish and swim (if you're brave enough) Overall had a pleasant experience until 2 weeks after we had left.
After paying and calling to ensure we were all squared away before leaving with a good to go and a zero-dollar balance, we left. 2 weeks later they charged my card again without letting me know. I figured it must have been a mistake since I had the paperwork with a zero-dollar balance AND I called to ensure we were all set.
Turns out it was purposeful- management decided that there was an additional admin fee after I had left the property. Note that this was not anything to do with any mess or damage left behind -That I could completely understand but this was a random additional charge. They went ahead and charged without any warning and with no real explanation.
I stayed here for 2 months and the first month had no such issues and no additional payments due.
If you stay here- be aware that they can charge your card EVEN IF you call and make sure you are all set AND have proof of a zero dollar balance.
They will say its in the contract and while there is an admin fee section in the contract- it does not state anywhere that it will be charged later, not included in your original bill or anything that would make charging your card randomly acceptable - especially with a zero dollar balance.
I'm not sure how many times they do this to people but the charge was on the smaller side, so they probably get away with this A LOT.
ScoutWe brought the boat along and having water access added an entirely different dimension to the trip. Instead of loading everything into the truck and driving somewhere for the day, we could make being on the water part of the camping experience itself.
ScoutThis is our 2nd year as seasonal campers and it is wonderful. The seasons sites are very spacious and most have plenty of shade/sun. The transient site are not as spacious but have grassy areas and plenty of sun. There are no tent sites at this time
ScoutI always find this is a good spot to have a few quiet nights. Can set up a fire an lf just relax. There are bathrooms with showers but byob bath stuff
GuidePleasant place, pool with good facilities; I recommend it.
GuideBeautiful park! Real contact with nature, super safe... get ready to walk.
GuideThis is a nice campground with 90% permanent upscale sites. Don’t let that deter you, the nightly spots are concentrated have excellent natural surroundings. Decent size spaces and mostly level. Workers were nice and many things to do.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available near Salem, NH?
Salem, NH offers several excellent camping options within a short drive. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground is a popular destination featuring wooded sites, water access, and extensive recreational opportunities including swimming, hiking, and kayaking. For those seeking private campgrounds, Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park near Derry provides full amenities with the bonus of on-site golfing. Other nearby options include Bear Brook State Park Campground, Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, and several family-owned facilities like Woodmore Family Campground and Calef Lake Camping Area, all within 30-45 minutes of Salem.
What amenities are available at Salem, NH campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Salem offer a range of amenities to enhance your camping experience. Bear Brook State Park Campground provides family-friendly facilities including trails, play structures, a camp store, beach access, and even a baseball diamond. For those seeking water recreation, Ayers Lake Farm Campground and Cottages offers beautiful lakefront views and firewood sales. Many private campgrounds in the area feature more luxurious amenities - swimming pools, full hookups for RVs, WiFi, and organized activities. Most campgrounds provide basic facilities such as restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and fire rings. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak season, as the most popular campgrounds fill quickly.
How much do camping sites cost near Salem?
Camping costs near Salem vary by amenities and location. At Greenfield State Park Campground, tent sites typically range from $25-35 per night, with RV sites slightly higher. Private campgrounds like Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park generally charge $35-60 for tent sites and $45-75 for RV sites with hookups. Most New Hampshire state park campgrounds require an additional day-use fee if you're visiting beaches or recreational areas. Prices are generally higher during peak summer season (June-August) and on weekends. Many campgrounds offer discounts for extended stays or off-season camping, with potential savings of 10-20% for weekly rates.
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