Pawtuckaway State Park Campground welcomes up to two leashed pets per campsite with no additional fees. Located 30 minutes from Salem, New Hampshire, this pet-friendly destination features spacious tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins where dogs can stay with their owners. Tuxbury Pond RV Campground and Wakeda Campground also accommodate pets throughout their facilities, including tent areas, RV sites, and select cabin rentals. Most campgrounds maintain standard leash requirements of six feet or less, with designated areas where dogs can exercise. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Salem, New Hampshire. Bear Brook State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems where leashed dogs can join hikers, though pets must be attended at all times and waste properly disposed of in provided stations. Sunset Park and Calef Lake Camping Area maintain similar pet policies while providing water access points where dogs can cool off during summer months.
Lorraine Park Campground at Harold Parker State Forest provides shaded woodland campsites ideal for pets sensitive to heat during summer camping trips. The park's extensive trail network creates excellent dog walking opportunities with minimal wildlife concerns. Spacious and private sites prevent pet conflicts between neighboring campers, particularly valuable for reactive dogs. Veterinary services are available in nearby Andover and Salem for emergency situations. Seasonal considerations include tick prevention during spring and summer months, while fall offers cooler temperatures ideal for active dogs. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours from 10 pm to 7 am when excessive barking must be controlled. The golf cart traffic at some locations like Tuxbury Pond requires keeping dogs close, as mentioned by multiple campers concerned about pet safety around the busy internal roads.
$17 - $35 / night
"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."
$35 - $140 / night
"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."
"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."
"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"
$28 - $38 / night
"The electrical post and water hookup were placed way behind our site and we could not reach even with our 40’ electrical cord."
"Easy walk to the beach. Dog friendly, big dump site, and good prices."
$48 - $97 / night
"They also had a game room, miniature golf, coffee shop and dog park.
The first campsite they assigned to us was very secluded but unfortunately, we were coming in during a major rainstorm.""I came here last year with my dog. We only stayed two nights. "
$35 - $45 / night
"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."
"The park is very dog friendly for camping as well as hiking. The trails were very well marked and really conveniently close by to the campsites. Will definitely be returning!"
$44 - $999 / night
"The dog park was nice as well. The campground is close to many restaurants and gas stations also. Cell service with AT&T and T-Mobile was great."
"At first (and this has nothing to do with camp it’s the people and their pets that make or break a visit) we had lots kid noise some had 8 kids!!"
$20 - $40 / night
"We had such a fun time and our dog loves it! The only bad part is we were very far from the bathrooms and tons of mosquitoes. We definitely will be coming back in the near future!"
"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."
"Simple, clean, perfect pool set up, quiet and close to beaches and New Hampshire coastline."
"Beach Rose RV Park in Salisbury, Massachusetts is a small, friendly, family-owned campground near the beach."
GuideThis is a city park with a beach and a campground. This is a no frills campground, though there is a playground and beach. It’s less than 2 miles from Salem and on the trolley line.
GuideWe stayed At Wakeda Campground overnight during a trip from Maine back to Long Island, NY. It was located very close off of 95 and allows pets. We were overwhelmed by the beautiful massive forest. The campground was splendid with old tall, pine trees everywhere. 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.
The first campsite they assigned to us was very secluded but unfortunately, we were coming in during a major rainstorm. That site was a little flooded so we chose another. It still had beautiful trees surrounding it but not as secluded from neighbors. There are also many seasonal campers there but all of their sites were beautifully decorated with flowers and such. Everyone was friendly that we encountered during our stay.
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.
Walking around we saw wild turkeys, bunnies, and a hummingbird. It would have been great if they offered a nature trail in the campground since the forest was so beautiful. There were paths that went into the woods but they were marked for employees only.
The next day we wanted to go for a hike before we hit the road. Unfortunately, the state parks near the campsite do not allow dogs during late Spring to early Fall. Using our Bring Fido App, we found Rails to Trails nearby that we could bring our dog and hiking cat. We did the Salisbury Point Ghost Trail that was nice and shady, though flat, but a nice leisurely walk for all of us.
ScoutPros- very clean, bathrooms kept up with regularly. Staff is very nice. They offer boat rentals, canoes, paddle boats and kayaks. Store on site and they do activities during the week. Definitely more kids friendly I think. They do have a pool, park, dog park, lake and food trucks visits at times. They have community fires and dances. Pet friendly. Wood available on site.
Cons- loud cars going all night, some lights in your face. Some people tend to fly down the road on golf carts. You can also hear the main road from the open style campsite. No privacy. People will walk threw your tent site. They will talk during the night while doing this, smoking seems to be allowed at pool. No fires between 9am-5pm.
Overall we had a good time.
RangerConsider the Thousand Trails membership when booking this site. Our annual membership fees basically covered what it would cost to camp here for two weeks.
The campground has good proximity to Orchard Beach and Portland. However, the spots are pretty tight, and the WiFi is awful away from the registration office. We were in the wooded area, but those camping on the outskirts seemed able to utilize their Starlink.
The dog park and pool were small but nice. The bathroom facilities were pretty good, though they weren't cleaned as often as they should be.
ScoutYogi’s Jellystone Park– Milton, New Hampshire: Seasonal Camper Review I have been camping at Yogi’s Jellystone Park in Milton for five years, including the last two as a seasonal camper. Unfortunately, my recent experiences under new management have been disappointing and frustrating. Pet Fence Policy and Safety Concerns At the start of this season, the new general manager, Amanda, instructed me to remove my pet fence, citing liability issues. Despite my having signed a waiver absolving the park of responsibility for my dog’s actions, she insisted on its removal without providing a clear explanation. I complied reluctantly, only to observe many other campsites retaining similar pet fences throughout the season, including one seasonal camper who kept theirs up all season and transient sites with fences as well. This inconsistent enforcement of rules is unfair and undermines trust. After seeing others with pet fences, I reinstated mine to protect my dog, especially after two incidents where loose dogs entered my site and charged at my dog. Amanda then threatened me with non-renewal of my seasonal contract if I did not remove the fence again, forcing me to comply once more. I wrote to corporate regarding this issue since Amanda was of no help but never heard back from corporate. Loss of Seasonal Site and Corporate Decisions Yogi’s removed nine seasonal sites this year, including mine, with little warning. This decision affects long-term campers, some with over 20 years of history at the park. It appears motivated by corporate interests, favoring transient sites or cabins, which generate more revenue. The loss of a seasonal site after investing time, effort, and money into making it beautiful is deeply disheartening and reflects poor management priorities. Entertainment and Atmosphere Adult entertainment offerings have drastically declined. This year’s highlight was a 30-minute Saturday night hayride, with no live bands in the pavilion throughout the entire season. Under previous management, live music was a regular and enjoyable feature. The lack of engaging activities diminishes the overall campground experience. Myself and other campers offered suggestions to management regarding entertainment for adults but they didn't take any of our suggestions. Bear Interaction Despite the park’s theme, sightings of Yogi Bear are rare. On one occasion, a golf cart carrying excited children stopped to see Yogi Bear, but the character ignored them and drove past without interaction, which was very disappointing. Management and Staff Attitude Amanda, the general manager, presents as unapproachable and aloof. She did not introduce herself to seasonal campers at the beginning of the season, many of whom do not even know what she looks like and the camping season ends in just a couple of weeks. Most staff members also exhibit a snobbish attitude, often failing to acknowledge campers, which creates an unwelcoming environment. Cost and Recommendation The campground is overpriced relative to the quality of experience and level of service provided. Given the inconsistent rule enforcement, loss of seasonal sites, diminished entertainment, and poor management attitude, I cannot recommend Yogi’s Jellystone Park in Milton NH Those interested in a Yogis campground should consider other locations.
GuideTucked 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. This extremely family-friendly campground comes equip with trails, play structures, camp store, beach, and even a small baseball diamond. The sites are fairly large and if you need some privacy, reserve site 12. There is a great trail that is around Beaver Pond, roughly 2-3 miles with plenty of opportunities for dogs to swim, yeah for dog friendly! This campground is beautiful, quiet in places and has everything you need for a great weekend away!
LegendMy 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.
TravelerI came here last year with my dog. We only stayed two nights. It was his first time camping, so I made a note in my reservation request that I'd like a fairly remote site - just in case he got loud. They put me in the perfect site, near the dog park (they have a dog park!). When the forecast changed to thunderstorms, they let me switch my dates without any hassle. The location is convenient for Newburyport, Portsmouth, and the Seacoast. We ended up having a lovely stay.
Just a note, I took my dog for a walk around the campground and noticed that many of the other sites were rather close together - including the cabins. Some people don't mind, and even enjoy, close neighbors. If you're like me, however, you'll want to ask for a more remote site.
One more thing to note; I booked through Rover Pass and ended up paying them a fee. Next time I'll contact the park directly.
I'm looking forward to another trip soon!
TravelerNice clean camp ground. Beautiful dog park with agility course. Restrooms were clean and centrally located.
Located 30 miles north of Boston, Salem, New Hampshire sits among rolling hills and mixed forests with elevations ranging from 230-450 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 82°F with humidity levels around 70%, while fall camping sees cooler 40-60°F temperatures ideal for hiking. Winter conditions often close seasonal campgrounds from November through April.
Fishing opportunities: Calef Lake Camping Area provides both lake and stream fishing access with a dedicated dog pond. "We had such a fun time and our dog loves it! The only bad part is we were very far from the bathrooms and tons of mosquitoes," notes Rachel P. about the pet-friendly fishing area.
Historical exploration: Located near Minute Man Campground, Revolutionary War sites offer educational day trips. "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," writes Ann B. The campground serves as an ideal base for historic site visits.
Mountain biking trails: Bear Brook State Park features extensive trail networks for various skill levels. "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," reports Eammon C.
Spacious wooded sites: The privacy at Lorraine Park Campground appeals to those seeking seclusion. "The site are huge with space in between. They keep the bathrooms very clean. There are lots of trails and ponds," explains Kelly F. This makes it particularly suitable for reactive dogs needing distance from other campers.
Waterfront camping: Sites along the water at Pawtuckaway State Park provide direct water access. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" mentions J L. These premium sites require early reservations, typically 6 months in advance during peak season.
Family activities: Campgrounds like Wakeda Campground offer structured programming for kids. "Friendly campground with great staff. Late back atmosphere, so easy to relax here," says Kelly F. Many seasonal campers return yearly for the consistent programming and pet-friendly policies.
Seasonal restrictions: Some campgrounds limit pet access during summer months. "Tried to plan ahead this year and get a prime site to learn they don't allow dogs anywhere in the campground during summer months. I would of hoped for one loop but NH state parks are anti-dog I guess," reports Erin W. about seasonal dog restrictions.
Site selection matters: Reserve specific sites when possible for the best experience. "Originally booked us on a site so small, our tent wouldn't even fit so we weren't going to be able to have a fire because our tent was so close to it. Went to the desk and they switched us to a different site a couple sites down that was much larger," shares a camper at Calef Lake.
Campground size variations: Some camping areas near Salem feel crowded while others offer more space. "Clean facilities, super quick access to the beach, friendly staff, sites are pretty close together with little separation between each other," notes Sara D. about Salisbury Beach State Reservation.
Playground access: Select sites near recreational areas for convenience. "We stayed in site 91 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," recommends a Bear Brook State Park visitor. Parents note this reduces trips back and forth to play areas.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer both beach and pool facilities. "Clean sites and facilities. Staff was very helpful. Sites are a bit on the smaller side and not very private. Great location to see some of the historical sites in the area. Heated pool was great!" mentions Stephanie about Minute Man Campground.
Activity planning: Weekend programming varies by campground. "We had a beach dance which was really fun. We met some really nice people. The staff were really nice, very courteous and helpful. Quiet hours were actually quiet!" reports Rhonda B. about the organized activities at Calef Lake Camping Area.
Hookup locations: Pay attention to utility placement when booking. "The electrical post and water hookup were placed way behind our site and we could not reach even with our 40' electrical cord. Park staff told us we could back onto the grass in order to reach the electric," explains Nancy W. about Salisbury Beach's configuration challenges.
Site surfaces: Different campgrounds offer varied parking surfaces. "Level concrete pad full hookups. Sites close together but quiet," notes Jackie M. about Beach Rose RV Park, making it suitable for easier leveling and setup.
Seasonal considerations: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Salem have distinct seasonal patterns. "We stayed at a non-peak time so the park was not very crowded but we can image it being quite different in the summer. As there are a lot of campsites and with this being a popular beach area, the campground is probably full in the summer," observes a visitor to Salisbury Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Salem, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Salem, NH is Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Salem, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 105 dog-friendly camping locations near Salem, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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