Camping options near Stratham, New Hampshire range from lakeshore settings to wooded RV resorts within a 30-minute drive. The coastal region offers varied terrain with elevations under 250 feet, creating moderate drainage conditions at most campsites. Summer humidity can affect tent camping, with morning dew common from June through September at many of the nearby campgrounds.
What to do
Beach access: 1 mile from campground: At Beach Rose RV Park in Salisbury Beach, campers can reach the shoreline without driving. "We rode bikes to Salisbury Beach and my young adult son rode his longboard to the beach. We thought the small campsites would bother us, but after one day we got used to it and it was fine," notes Ray C.
Golf and swimming: on-site activities: Hidden Valley RV and Golf Park provides 1,300 acres with both a 9 and 18-hole course plus swimming beaches. "The main attraction of this campground is the golf course of 9 or 18 holes. There is a pro shop, golf cart rentals, etc. A lot of the campers are seasonal which is May - October each year," mentions Christy C.
Pond activities: kayaking and fishing: Many local campgrounds feature water access for non-motorized boats. "There are lots of seasonal campers but friendly. Playground is on the beach. Showers are free," reports Nicole from Sandy Beach Campground, noting the combination of swimming and play areas.
What campers like
Proximity to coastal towns: Camping near Stratham provides easy access to historic seacoast communities. "We were within 20 minutes or so to Portsmouth and Newburyport which are some of our favorite New England coastal towns," shares a visitor at Seacoast Camping and RV Resort.
Entertainment options: Many rv sites near Stratham, New Hampshire offer scheduled activities. "The live band was cool but we had golf carts & parked vehicles pretty much surrounding us & some right on our campsite, it was a little awkward. Then around 8, there was a gentleman that started setting up for a comedy show," reports Sara D. from Tuxbury Pond RV Campground, highlighting the unexpected benefits of organized events.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance stands out in reviews. "The bathrooms were a little dirty, but not awful," notes Ana from Tuxbury Pond regarding tent sites, while others mention "clean bathrooms, clean grounds, gated campground with card key access in/out of the grounds."
What you should know
GPS issues: Navigation apps sometimes provide incorrect directions. "A little tip about GPS: if you're using Apple Maps, it will likely take you to a turn that is not the campground entrance, there's even a hand-written sign on someone's lawn that has directions to the entrance," warns a visitor to Tuxbury Pond.
Train noise near beach locations: Some oceanside campgrounds have railroad tracks between the sites and beach. "The campground map is missing the train tracks that are between the campground and the ocean. The trains all blow their horn and you will hear it if you're at one of the sites 'by the ocean'," cautions Bryan from Wild Acres Sun RV Resort.
Sewer odors: Infrastructure issues affect some sites. "Strong sewer smell in woman's restroom & on some campsites," notes a camper about Tuxbury Pond, while another mentioned "We were on S1, near a septic pipe & there was a severely nauseating, strong smell of sewage coming from it."
Tips for camping with families
Use trolley transportation: Several campgrounds offer transit to nearby beaches. "Great location trolley will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach. Very friendly staff. Kid activities were done regularly," shares Jill P. from Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach.
Look for dual entertainment options: Some parks schedule concurrent activities for different ages. "A staff member came to our site and let us know that there is an 18+ comedy show but there was a children's movie being played on a big screen on the other side of the campground," describes a Tuxbury Pond visitor.
Check for playground locations: Campground layout affects supervision ease. "The playground/pool was nice and the Maine blueberry pancakes were amazing! There was a trolley to the beach but lots to do at the campground too," notes Erin M., highlighting dining options that appeal to children.
Tips from RVers
Choose newer sections for larger rigs: Recent site development provides better big-rig access. "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 Nancy W. about layout considerations at Seacoast Camping.
Check satellite reception: Tree cover affects connectivity. "Wifi not great and we have starlink - lots of obstruction so if you need uninterrupted access I'd check with the front desk to see if there are clearer areas for your satellite," advises Sarah A. from Wild Acres.
Specify site preferences when booking: Many RV parks near Stratham assign sites without camper input. "You do not get a choice during the online booking to choose the campsite to reserve & the site # is not included in the confirmation email," explains a Tuxbury Pond visitor who arrived to find issues with site placement.
