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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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.
