Campgrounds near Stratham, New Hampshire offer both seasonal and year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation with varying amenities and terrain features. Located in Rockingham County, Stratham sits approximately 15 miles from the Atlantic coastline at an elevation of around 50 feet above sea level. The region experiences typical New England weather patterns with summer high temperatures averaging 80-85°F, making mid-summer camping particularly popular at waterfront locations.
What to Do
Kayaking on local waterways: Pawtuckaway State Park Campground offers excellent paddling 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.
Fishing from the jetty: Just 12 miles from Stratham, Hampton Beach State Park Campground provides shoreline fishing access. "There's a jetty to sit on and fish from or watch the sunrise. I enjoyed the morning deep sea fishing trips from companies across the street," says Jean C.
Morning beach walks: Multiple beaches within 15-20 minutes of Stratham campgrounds provide early morning walking options. "After lunch pop over to Wallis Sand Beach for an afternoon relaxing by the sea," suggests a visitor to Sea Coast Camping.
Wildlife watching: Several camping areas feature wetlands with bird watching opportunities. "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," reports a camper from Pawsfuradventure T.
What Campers Like
Access to coastal towns: Proximity to historic New England coastal communities makes Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort popular. "The park is in a good location and pretty close to the beach, restaurants, shopping and access to Route 1. You are also just twenty minutes or so to Portsmouth and Newburyport which are some of our favorite New England coastal towns," writes Nancy W.
Water sites with views: Waterfront sites at several campgrounds offer premium experiences. "The sites on the water book up quickly but they're perfect for fishing and boating. Also, the view!" mentions J L. about Pawtuckaway State Park.
Shoulder season visits: For less crowded pet friendly camping near Stratham, timing matters. "We caught the tail end of the season last year and the beach was super peaceful and much quieter than in high season," reports Lyssa M. about Hampton Beach.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention bathroom cleanliness as a key factor. "Clean facilities, super quick access to the beach, friendly staff, sites are pretty close together with little separation between each other," notes Sara D.
What You Should Know
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds book quickly during peak season. "Reservations are usually made a year in advance," explains Kevin K. about Hampton Beach State Park, where summer stays are limited to 14 days.
Waterfront site limitations: Beach Rose RV Park offers beach proximity but limited space. "Nice campground, though spaces are small, place is clean, nice pool and staff is very friendly, helpful and responsive! It's only about a mile from the beach. We rode bikes to Salisbury Beach," shares Ray C.
Off-season operations: Most campgrounds near Stratham operate seasonally, typically May through October. Salisbury Beach State Reservation runs "early May to mid October," while Old Stage Campground operates "May - September."
Pet restrictions vary by season: Some state parks restrict dogs during peak 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," cautions Erin W.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playgrounds for different ages: Several campgrounds offer playground equipment for varied age groups. Tuxbury Pond RV Campground provides "The pool, playground, bathrooms, and basketball court were all open and well maintained. We really enjoyed our stay!" according to Kristen L.
Evening entertainment options: Campground activities typically run through early evening. "They also had a game room, miniature golf, coffee shop and dog park," mentions a visitor to one property.
Beach alternatives: When ocean beaches get crowded, look for swimming areas at inland campgrounds. "Kayaking, swimming area and hiking were all 5 stars!" notes a Pawtuckaway visitor.
Weather considerations: New England weather can change quickly, especially near the coast. "It was nice to sit in the front porch and watch the storm. The location is great being 10 minutes or so from Hampton beach," shares Kris S.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Old Stage Campground offers varied site options. "Definitely do your research on the different site numbers because some sites are much more private and scenic than others," advises one experienced camper.
Electrical access challenges: Older campgrounds may have utilities in unexpected locations. "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," notes Nancy W.
Cell signal variability: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. "Forget about cellphone signal, it was 0," reports one camper at Tuxbury Pond, while others mention "reasonable cell reception" at different properties.
Seasonal site differences: "Half of the park is seasonal campers (which is a lot more cramped and more junked up) and the other half is for transients. The two sides are separated by a tree line where the tent sites are located," explains a visitor describing Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort's layout.
