Stratham, New Hampshire offers diverse camping experiences within a 30-minute radius of town. The area sits at approximately 58 feet above sea level in Rockingham County, experiencing warm summers with average temperatures around 80°F and cooler nights that can dip into the 50s. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with weekends in July and August requiring reservations weeks or months in advance.
What to do
Paddle the lakes and ponds: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers exceptional water recreation opportunities. "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.
Fish from waterfront sites: Sites directly on the water at Pawtuckaway State Park Campground provide easy fishing access. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" says J L. Reserve these prime waterfront locations early as they're highly sought after.
Explore historic seaports: Within a 20-minute drive of Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort, you can visit notable coastal towns. "We were there in the off-season (May) and didn't have any neighbors so it was pretty quiet. You are also just twenty minutes or so to Portsmouth and Newburyport which are some of our favorite New England coastal towns," reports Nancy W.
Take sunrise beach walks: When glamping close to Stratham, New Hampshire, consider York Beach Camper Park for easy beach access. "We loved being able to walk down for sunset and sunrise each day! Some of the sites are rather small, but the one we stayed at was great," shares Katie R.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Wakeda Campground receives consistent praise for site layout. "Great employees, clean reliable power. No issues great spread out sites," mentions Zachary W. Most sites offer adequate space between neighbors, especially in the wooded sections.
Clean facilities: Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort maintains excellent standards. "This is one of the cleanest, most meticulously maintained campground we have been to. So quiet and peaceful as well. Wifi service was excellent. We will definitely come back," notes Rebecca S.
Waterfront camping options: Particularly valued at Pawtuckaway State Park is the island camping experience. "We stayed in sites 110 and our friends stayed in 109 on Big Island. Those were wonderful sites, level with great views of the lake and are situated right across from the bath/shower," shares Ellen C.
Proximity to beaches: York Beach Camper Park offers convenient ocean access. "A small but trees all around rv park. This is no thrills with basic WiFi. It is about 10 min walk to short sands beach in York. There is plenty to do there and nice to be so close but feel away from it all," describes Peter F.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Many campgrounds near Stratham have restricted operating calendars. "We stayed for a night as a getaway. Already planning our next trip back. Very friendly staff and very friendly neighbors," reports Patrick F. about Wakeda Campground, which operates only from May 15 to October 1.
Variable site privacy: Site selection matters significantly. "Its a nice no frills campground. Smaller sites and they are not very private. Overall a very nice campground tho," explains Joe B. about Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort. Request specific site numbers when making reservations.
Laundry facilities can be limited: At many campgrounds, laundry options are minimal. "The laundry room had two washers (one was broken) and two dryers 2.50 each per load. Not sufficient for a campground this size," notes Cassie G. about Winding River Campground.
Pet restrictions at state parks: Several state facilities have pet policies to consider. "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 Pawtuckaway State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Winding River Campground offers multiple recreational facilities for children. "Two playgrounds, both were nice. Water slide was fun," observes Cassie G. The campground also runs seasonal entertainment like foam parties.
Consider shower facilities: When glamping with families near Stratham, New Hampshire, bathroom quality varies widely. "The shower in other bathroom (near the town center area) had a door and two curtains. Some had hooks (some of which were broken). I almost tripped going in and out of these bathroom stalls because they are raised up but there is no marking on the ground," cautions Cassie G.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy observing local animals. "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," mentions Pawsfuradventure T. about their stay at Wakeda Campground.
Book field sites together: For families camping with multiple tents, site arrangement matters. "I wished my family members had gotten 552 and 553 as they blended together nicely if you are tenting in side by side spaces," advises Cassie G. about Winding River Campground.
Tips from RVers
Check power reliability: Beaver Dam Campground provides consistent electric service. "Nice place, people are very helpful and friendly. The facilities are spotless," reports Stacy.
Site surface considerations: Many area campgrounds have gravel or rocky sites. "All of the sights seem to have rocky ground, so I recommend a sleep pad and a footprint for your tent so you don't rip the bottom," advises Katrina M. about Dixon's Coastal Maine Campground.
Access road navigation: Some campgrounds have challenging entry points. "The roads in the park are fairly narrow and we had to drive over the grass across from our site in order to back in. Lucky for us nobody was parked in that site. We hate driving over grass as our coach can really make some ruts, but we had no choice in this situation," explains Nancy W.
Water quality varies: Water hookups can differ significantly between locations. "Some of the best clear, clean, drinking water at high pressure we have come across," reports Chuck H. about Sea Coast RV Park.
