Stratham, New Hampshire camping options extend beyond the immediate town boundaries, with several campgrounds located within a 10-20 mile radius. The region sits at low elevations (20-200 feet above sea level) with mixed pine and deciduous forests. Several campgrounds operate on a seasonal basis from April/May through September/October, with early spring camping often affected by seasonal mud conditions on secondary roads and interior campground lanes.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers multiple water activities on its lake system. "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," notes Matt R.
Beach access: Hampton Beach State Park serves as a convenient base for ocean activities located 12 miles east of Stratham. "The oceanfront location is classic NE style summer camping. Also classic NE style, it's packed in the summers. We caught the tail end of the season last year and the beach was super peaceful and much quieter than in high season," explains Lyssa M.
Wildlife viewing: The region hosts several wetland areas and ponds ideal for nature observation. "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," shares a camper at Wakeda Campground.
What campers like
Laundry facilities: Some campgrounds provide modern facilities for extended stays. At Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort, one camper noted, "The washer/dryer setup is immaculate with brand new equipment. Small washer $3.25, big washer $4.25, dryers $2 for 45 minutes."
Waterfront sites: Premium lakefront camping spots are highly sought after. At Pawtuckaway State Park, a visitor commented, "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!"
Clean bathrooms: Many campgrounds maintain well-serviced facilities. "The bathrooms were a little dirty, but not awful," comments a tent camper at Tuxbury Pond RV Resort, while another camper at Sea Coast noted that "bathrooms are clean and nice, and the landscape was well maintained."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular campsites near Stratham, New Hampshire require planning. "Hard to get reservations as it is extremely popular," warns a Hampton Beach State Park visitor. For most campgrounds in the region, Memorial Day through Labor Day reservations should be made 3-6 months in advance.
Site variations: Campground layouts vary significantly. "It's a 50 site campground and built 20 years ago, so it's cozy small sites in some spots. But for the money if you're from out of state it's cheaper than the state park down the street," notes a visitor at Beach Rose RV Park.
Seasonal campers: Several campgrounds host long-term seasonal residents. A visitor to Old Stage Campground observed, "The sites were spacious in wooded area near a small river. The majority of the campground were seasonal campers who had really settled in. We felt a little out of place."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. At Sea Coast Camping, "There was a very large playground, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard, basketball, and camp store."
Beginner-friendly options: Old Stage Campground receives positive reviews for family camping. "Kid. Accommodating. Family friendly. Kid infested. Safe. Scenic. Perfect," states Lyndzie O. The campground is located approximately 18 miles from Stratham.
Swimming areas: Look for campgrounds with dedicated swimming facilities. A Salisbury Beach visitor remarked, "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!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup access: Some sites have challenging utility placement. At Salisbury Beach State Reservation, a camper noted, "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."
Seasonal limitations: Many RV campgrounds operate on restricted schedules. Most campgrounds within 20 miles of Stratham close by mid-October and don't reopen until May. "We stayed for one night at end of season. Owners were so kind and helpful," reports an Old Stage Campground visitor.
Campsite leveling: Surface conditions vary across campgrounds. A Sea Coast Camping visitor reported, "Our site was a gravel back-in which was plenty long and level. They recently seeded the area so new grass was starting to grow." Campgrounds near the coast typically have more level sites than those further inland.
