Pawtuckaway State Park Campground
Great spot with all types of different campsites.
Tuxbury Pond RV Campground and Sunset Park house upscale glamping accommodations in the New Hampshire countryside near Salem. Both locations feature comfortable canvas structures with premium bedding, electricity, and proximity to water recreation. Sunset Park's safari-style glamping units provide spacious interiors with private decks overlooking peaceful natural settings, while Tuxbury Pond's glamping options include modernized yurts and elevated tent platforms with luxury furnishings. Each site comes equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to clean shower facilities. The climate-controlled glamping pods offer a perfect balance of outdoor connection and indoor comfort with plush mattresses, quality linens, and rustic-chic décor. One guest shared, "Beautiful campground, clean facilities, decently priced. The pool, playground, bathrooms, and basketball court were all open and well maintained."
Water recreation stands out as a primary attraction at these glamping resorts, with Tuxbury Pond offering boating opportunities and swimming areas. Both locations maintain well-groomed grounds with strategically placed glamping domes and canvas accommodations that maximize privacy while maintaining access to shared amenities. Seasonal glamping campsite availability runs from May through October, with most sites requiring advance reservations. On-site entertainment includes comedy shows, live music, and family-friendly movie nights under the stars. The full-service facilities feature modern bathhouses, camp stores, and recreational pavilions. Proximity to southern New Hampshire's attractions makes these locations ideal base camps for exploring the region's natural beauty and small-town charm. According to a camper, "It's a great base for sightseeing. This is one of the nicer campgrounds with lots of amenities and clean grounds."
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $35 - $140 / night
"Pros: Friendly staff, clean bathrooms, 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, fairly"
"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"
"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."
"Lots of pine trees so pine needles and pine pitch can be a slight issue. Staff is friendly and good amenities but no pool."
from $48 - $97 / night
"It has kayak rentals and a very well stocked camp store, that was close to the camp sites. Our campsite was only about a hundred feet away from the camp store but still felt private."
"Located in a 10000 acre forest preserve, the campground is heavily forested and very secluded from civilization. "
from $35 - $45 / night
"On site general store with grill. Fishing and swimming on property along with a club house."
"The amenities are state of the art, clean laundry center, restrooms, bath house, grocery store, bar & grill, playground & 2 swimming beaches."
"Friendly, helpful staff. Quiet nights, easy check-in. Cons: Bathhouse was closed so we had to use Porta potties."
"Located in Alton, this quiet family owned campground is a favorite among our group! Lake access 24/7 and secluded campsites, perfect for everyone!"
from $20 - $40 / night
"Very helpful staff, beautiful grounds covered in grass, unique setting."
from $32 - $40 / night
"It’s less than 2 miles from Salem and on the trolley line."
"We wanted to come to Salem for the Halloween season, and didn’t think it would be that bad, despite many warnings about how crowded it gets (it gets CROWDED). "
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $60 / night
"No water on this site but there is electricity. Several options for bathrooms and all have hot running water."
"The campground offers RV sites, some with hookups, as well as more walk-in secluded tent sites as well as one yurt tent. The campground is peaceful and quiet, although adjacent to a very busy AFB."
"The two sides are separated by a tree line where the tent sites are located. The park is in a good location and pretty close to the beach, restaurants, shopping and access to Route 1."
"Their location is close to Hampton Beach and Rye sea walk and good restaurants including a doughnut shop within walking distance."












Great spot with all types of different campsites.
I’m not going to lie this was a little tricky for big rigs to get to, but with lots of patience and skillful driving, it is doable. Salem is an old New England town so there are many narrow streets and some low clearances. Follow the directions on the parks website as they are designed for RVs– don’t use Google Maps unless you are a small camper. Even getting into the park is kind of challenging because of the way the entrance is laid out with the entrance booth and some low hanging trees. This campground is in a municipal park with a marina, beach, a short walking trail, and picnic areas. The campground has different sections and totally different feels to them. We arrived on a weekend and section we were in the section which is in the parking lot of a busy marina. The parking lot was half full which made for navigating our 45’ bus into our site pretty hard.
No sites have fire pits but you can have a fire if you bring your own above ground pit. Tent sites have picnic tables but nothing else. Some sites you can drive to and have a car onsite and others are non-vehicle access sites (11, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27& 38) in which you have to park in a parking lot. Some RV sites have great water views and others are in a back gravel lot. In my opinion, the best RV sites are 12-16(A-D) because they have a water view. Sites 16B-D are a little tricky for big-rigs to get into because of the tight space. Our site (#13) had a slight downhill slope. We pulled in forward so we could have a view of the harbor which meant the utilities (water electric only) were in the front of our site but we were able to reach without an extension cord. We loved watching the action in the harbor. There is a gazebo by the water which we enjoyed siting under and watching boats go in and out of the harbor while it rained.
There is a nice sandy beach onsite which attracts a lot of day use vistors. The grounds are interesting to walk around as the water views are nice and there is an old fort to explore. Nearby town of Salem Willows is(about½ mile away) is a cute old seaside town with restaurants and arcades. They have a Bluebike rental station which is an easy way to get downtown and explore the area if you don’t have a car.
This campground is mostly seasonal, privately owned park models, but has 45 spaces for RV’s. I was a little skeptical about staying at this campground with so many park models and seasonals but was pleasantly surprised at how nice, clean, and tidy all the sites were. They obviously take pride in how things look because the grounds and campsites were very well-kept.
All campsites are 50/30-amp full hook-up with level gravel pads with grassy patios, a picnic table, and fire pit. We stayed in site#702 which was long enough for our 45’ motorhome and tow car. All the utilities were easy to reach and the electric worked well. The only problem was that we were parked under a large oak tree that was profusely shedding large acorns. There are some sites that are in the open which I would definitely choose, if I came back in the fall. The campground is gated which is a nice feature. It is located a mile or so off Route 1 which means you don’t get the road noise and traffic, but still conveniently located near shops and restaurants.
One nice feature are the shaded walking trails in the park. While they are not super long, it is a nice change from walking the roads (which are paved). Other amenities include a decent size swimming pool (closed while we were there), a basketball court, playground, laundry, and camp store. I thought it was a little expensive at $75/night (for full hook-up) at the end of the season, especially since the pool was closed.
This is a nice, clean, well-maintained campground for RV and tenting. The campground is located on Route 1 which means you are convenient to a lot of things but there is lots of traffic. Half the campground is seasonal/long term campers and the other side is mostly transients. The roads and campsites are fine crushed gravel with nice grassy patios. The campground is very well maintained (the best part being that the mower collects they cut the grass so no clippings get tracked in your camper). There are some mature trees that provide shade but don’t impede navigating in and out of sites or impacting slide outs.
Campsites range from tent with water/electric to RV water/electric and RV full hook-up 50-amp and full hook-up 30-amp. There are three bathhouses on the property (one of which has a dishwashing sink) and laundry. Tent sites 50-55 are in an are set away from RV sites and more private. They are also close to a large bathhouse with multiple toilets and showers. Tent sites 90-100 are across from a large playground which can be quite chaotic, but if you have kids, this is a great spot.
Our site (#147) was a long pull-thru with a descent amount of space between our neighbors. We got about half a dozen over-the-air channels (one being a major network station) and were able to connect with eastern arc satellites with our Dish Satellite. The 50A electric was good as was the water pressure.
The campground does not have much in the way of amenities except for a game room, basketball court, and playground. The game room is pretty cool with lots of arcade-style games, a pool table, foosball, and table tennis. While we were there, they just finished putting in all new playground equipment and enlarged the size making it really big and a hit with the kids in the park. Once convenience is that maintenance picks up garbage at your site (between 8am– 3pm). Unfortunately, people leave them out after hours and animals got into them and scattered garbage everywhere. We've stayed here before and always enjoy being in the area as it is close to the fun cities of Portsmouth and Newburyport.
Hard to beat being right on the water with a lighthouse! But it's kind of a kooky campground.
Pros:
- Gorgeous views.
- Cute little trails.
- Super friendly staff.
- The bathrooms were always being cleaned (which is nice), but the bathrooms are dilapidated, so it's kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.
Cons:
- It's just an odd arrangement of sites. The RV area is a parking lot. Some tent sites don't allow cars on them. Our site #37 was cool, but right by the busy entrance.
- As we stayed in October, the entire area is Halloween central. There were tour trolleys coming in all day, and since we were near the entrance we felt like animals in a zoo.
- As mentioned previously - the bathrooms could use a serious upgrade.
Best part of our Salem trip by far. We spent Sunday evening out here after walking around downtown and this was a completely different experience. Kids loved the playground and just running around exploring the beach and rocks. Way more interesting than the shops.
Quiet, actual waterfront, old fort and lighthouse right there. The young lady in the office was really nice and super helpful too.
A couple things to know: the RV field spots are really close together. Like 15-20 feet from my trailer to the neighbor. In my opinion the parking lot spots with the ocean view are better. And when they warn you about the raccoons, they’re not joking. They shredded my trash.
If you’re in Salem with kids, still worth coming out here. This is the part they’ll remember.
Get 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.
This 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
Beautiful park! Real contact with nature, super safe... get ready to walk.
Camping options near Salem, New Hampshire blend seasonal New England wilderness experiences with family-friendly accommodations. The region sits at approximately 125 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate. Summer temperatures average 80°F during peak camping months while autumn brings colorful foliage and cooler nighttime temperatures in the 40-50°F range, extending the outdoor season through October.
Water activities beyond swimming: Bear Brook State Park Campground offers multiple ponds for kayaking and fishing. "We stayed here twice... in September 2013 and then again in September 2018... I forgot the daily visits from the ducks, like clockwork morning and dusk a family of ducks visited looking for grub," reports Ellen C.
Mountain biking trails: Bear Brook State Park features extensive biking trails accessible directly from campsites. "Located in a 10000 acre forest preserve, the campground is heavily forested and very secluded from civilization," notes Ellen C. Another camper adds, "Mountain biking is awesome here, can ride right off the campground and onto the trails!"
Golf and camping combo: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park combines camping with a 9 or 18-hole golf course. "This campground is 1300 acres owned and operated by the Simonsen family in Derry, NH. The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc," explains Christy C.
Waterfront sites with privacy: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground receives high marks for lakeside camping. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" shares J L. Another camper notes, "Not far from Boston, making this a nice escape but also a pretty crowded day use park and campground."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Wakeda Campground earns praise for upkeep. "Campsites are clean the people are friendly and very close to the beach," mentions Marianne O. Another visitor appreciates the "Great employees, clean reliable power. No issues great spread out sites."
Entertainment options: Many luxury glamping close to Salem, New Hampshire sites feature organized activities. At Winding River Campground, one camper enjoyed "great events like foam parties, DJ at the pool, pancake breakfast and live music to name a few. Staff were friendly and helpful."
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds near Salem fill quickly during peak season. At Winter Island Park, one camper advises, "We spent a weekend here on a tent site close to the beach... Camping on the oceanfront was a rare treat!" However, "you definitely need to reserve a spot before you come."
Site variations: Sites vary dramatically in size, privacy and amenities. One camper at Calef Lake Camping Area noted, "They 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."
Seasonal operations: Most glamping experiences near Salem, New Hampshire operate from May through October. Pawtuckaway State Park's season runs "May 1-Oct 31" while Tuxbury Pond operates "April 28 to October 15." Winter camping options are extremely limited in this region.
Playground access: Calef Lake Camping Area offers family-friendly amenities. "Small campground but we had fun here. Small lake to swim in and a small playground. They had a beach dance which was really fun," shares Rhonda B. Another camper adds, "This campground is perfect for a quick escape from southern NH without going too far north!"
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours better than others. "Quiet hours were actually quiet! Which doesn't happen everywhere," notes one Calef Lake visitor. However, at another campground, a visitor mentioned, "lots of noise at night from kids staying in RVs, screaming until 11pm."
Kid-friendly activities: Seasonal glamping options near Salem, New Hampshire often include organized children's programs. At Winding River, one camper shared that "We had a great time here camping with our kids and grandkids. River is not much to look at but the pool was great."
Hookup variations: Tuxbury Pond RV Campground offers full-service sites but quality varies. "We stayed here for a week, our site was large with full hookups and the area was very clean, some sites in other sections are closer together. There are lots of seasonal campers so if you don't like that atmosphere this is probably not the place for you," advises Betty H.
Check-in timing: Several campgrounds have specific check-in procedures. One Tuxbury Pond camper noted, "Late check-in (7:45 p.m.) was a bit tricky — an envelope with a key card and map were placed in a mailbox for us due to store/office closing @ 6 but no mention of this in the confirmation email."
Location considerations: For visiting Boston while glamping near Salem, New Hampshire, strategic placement matters. "We spent two nights at this campground- the closest camping to Boston. The campground is right on the ocean with incredible harbor views. It was an easy bike ride to the Salem Ferry to get access into Boston for the day," reports Rae M. about Winter Island Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Salem, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Salem, NH is Pawtuckaway State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 46 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Salem, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 40 glamping camping locations near Salem, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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