Gateway National Recreation Area offers glamping and camping options across sandy beaches, maritime forests, and salt marshes. Most campgrounds operate from April through November, with rainfall averaging 46 inches annually across the region. Sites range from primitive tent camping to luxury glamping accommodations within 30 miles of the park's borders.
What to do
Kayaking and boating: Turkey Swamp Park provides water recreation opportunities for visitors seeking glamping close to Gateway National Recreation Area. The park features a lake for fishing and boating activities with rental equipment available. According to Tylen L., "Turkey Swamp is a great spot, a lot of different things to do. Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on. I've been here a few times, every time I'm here I barely touch my phone."
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range where visitors can practice their skills. As Patrick M. notes, "We go every year. It has everything the outdoorsman could ask for. Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels. Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods."
Winter activities: Round Valley State Park Campground offers year-round outdoor recreation opportunities despite most glamping sites being seasonal. As G V. explains, "Even though I live 10 minutes away I like to camp here because you still feel a little isolated. With no roads to the campgrounds it takes some effort to get there and it's a beautiful place."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides spacious campsites with good separation between neighbors. According to Paulene-Amanda M., "My fiancé, dog, and I have been going here for over 2 years and we love it. The campground is small but also secluded. We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful."
Wilderness camping: Round Valley State Park Campground offers true wilderness camping opportunities for those seeking a more remote experience near Gateway National Recreation Area. James R. shares, "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water. The hike up in the cushetunk mountain is really nice as well."
Seasonal Halloween events: Timberland Lake Campground hosts special seasonal activities throughout the year. Jessica D. explains, "We LOVE camping here in the fall!! They do their own haunted walk through that is just awesome! Everyone decorates. They have a dj every Saturday! Plenty of activities for the kids. They have cool raffles!"
What you should know
Access challenges: Some campgrounds require significant effort to reach. At Round Valley, Stuart K. notes, "If you're looking to camp here at Round Valley, I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear, so coming in with a ton of gear is even more difficult/prohibitive."
Tick activity: Turkey Swamp Park and other wooded areas may have seasonal tick issues. LAURA Y. warns, "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper. I have been RVing for 2-3 years and this is the first time this many ticks ambushed us."
Shower facilities: Campground shower quality varies significantly across the region. Bradley B. at Pine Cone Campgrounds reports, "The campsite has only two showers, and they are not designed for simultaneous use. To make matters more challenging, you must pass through one shower to access the other, limiting the privacy and convenience for guests."
Tips for camping with families
Off-season visits: Visiting outside peak season can provide a more peaceful experience. At Allaire State Park, Patrick M. suggests, "This may be my favorite spot. I have stayed in all the spots they offer, yurt, cabin and the pull up sites. It is well maintained with numerous trails to hike. Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wonderful there."
Mosquito preparation: Despite concerns, some campers report minimal insect issues during certain seasons. At Turkey Swamp Park, JAEWOOK P. shares, "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite! The campground was super clean too. It was perfect!"
Beach access: Camp Glen Gray provides glamping accommodations with trail access. The campground offers transportation assistance for gear. Jose N. explains, "Great Camp!!! One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items."
Tips from RVers
Water hookup lengths: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, antruze notes, "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection. Trash dumpster is an easy walk and the dump station has a flush hose point."
Leveling considerations: Many campground sites may require leveling adjustments. At Adventure Bound Camping (Tall Pines), Beth R. warns, "Sand sites, overpriced, tight site & hard to get in/out for big rigs."
Road condition awareness: Several campgrounds have dirt or unpaved roads that may impact access. Lee D. from Turkey Swamp Park explains, "As soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy."
