Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and the surrounding Seacoast region offer some of the best camping opportunities in New England. Whether you're planning a family camping trip, an RV getaway, or a relaxing tent camping adventure, you'll find a variety of campgrounds near Portsmouth, NH that provide convenient access to beaches, outdoor activities, and popular local attractions.
From oceanfront campsites and family-friendly campgrounds to peaceful wooded retreats, the Portsmouth area offers something for every type of camper. In this guide, we've rounded up 10 of the best campgrounds near Portsmouth, NH to help you find the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors and make lasting memories.
Top 10 Campgrounds Near Portsmouth, NH
Planning a camping trip to New Hampshire's Seacoast region? These campgrounds near Portsmouth, NH offer everything from oceanfront campsites and family-friendly amenities to RV hookups and peaceful natural surroundings. Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway or an extended outdoor adventure, you'll find plenty of great camping options within a short drive of Portsmouth.
Here are the top 10 Portsmouth NH campgrounds -
1). Libby's Oceanside Camp
Image Source: https://campmaine.com/
The only campground on the ocean in Southern Maine is Libby's Oceanside Camp. You can make reservations at this campsite for weeklong, Sunday-to-Sunday blocks, and can sometimes for shorter days. The Libby’s is open from May 15 through the weekend just after Columbus Day. Since its establishment in 1923, Fred Libby has seen many changes in camping. And it has been the best campground for generations.
Address: 725 York St, York, ME 03909
Distance from Portsmouth: Approximately 14 miles (20 minutes)
Best For: Oceanfront camping, beach lovers, family vacations
Popular Amenities:
Oceanfront campsites
RV and tent camping
Beach access
Picnic areas
Seasonal camping options
2). Cape Neddick Oceanside Campground
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Cape Neddick Oceanside is one of the best campgrounds near Portsmouth NH. If you want to visit this place with your family and friends, you can make a call to their office between 9 AM to 6 AM. The check-in time of this amazing campground is 11 AM. Though this campground isn't that big, there are some sites available for weekly rentals. In peak seasons the campers occupy the sites and this is why the campground is open through the entire holiday period. The campground opens for the season around May 15th and closes around Oct 15th.
The campground comes with a main bathhouse with a men's bathroom, a women's bathroom, and a women's shower room. So after having all the fun at the campsite, if you want to clean up and get ready for your meals, Cape Neddick also offers that facility. There are also two different bathrooms available behind the office area.
Address: 63 Shore Dr, Cape Neddick, ME 03902
Distance from Portsmouth: Approximately 11 miles (18 minutes)
Best For: Coastal camping, families, scenic ocean views
Popular Amenities:
Ocean-view campsites
Bathhouse and showers
Family-friendly atmosphere
Weekly campsite rentals
Easy beach access
3). Shel-Al Campground
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Shel-Al is one of the popular Portsmouth NH campgrounds that offers a fantastic experience to visitors. You can enjoy a warm, clean, and quiet environment at Shel-AI Campground with your friends and family. It is a campsite that is located very well near the beaches and necessary commodities. You can get wood and ice at a very reasonable price from here to make your camping a fun experience. On top of it, you can get clean showers and restrooms to freshen up.
Address: 115 Lafayette Rd, North Hampton, NH
Distance from Portsmouth: Approximately 13 miles (20 minutes)
Best For: Quiet camping, families, campers seeking convenience
Popular Amenities:
Spacious campsites
Clean restrooms and showers
Firewood and ice sales
Family-friendly environment
Convenient location near beaches
4). York Beach Camper Park
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York Beach is one of the most popular Portsmouth NH campgrounds for activities for all ages. You can take a peaceful walk on the local sandy beach, bask in the sun, take a tour around the great historic York, enjoy a concert by the shore, and have fun with your loved ones. Some of the major reasons behind York Beach Camper Park being so popular are - Bingo at the fire department, Short Sands Beach, York’s Amusement Park & Wild Kingdom, Candlepin Bowling & Old Time Video Arcade, Fine Restaurants, and Gift shops galore.
Address: 11 Cappy's Ln, York Beach, ME 03910
Distance from Portsmouth: Approximately 12 miles (18 minutes)
Best For: Beach vacations, families, travelers wanting nearby attractions
Popular Amenities:
Walking distance to the beach
RV and camper sites
Family recreation
Easy access to dining and entertainment
Seasonal camping
5). Old Stage Campground
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Old Stage Campground is one of the most wonderful places that offer you the perfect combination of convenience touring and camping fun. It is located about 10 miles from the popular Atlantic Ocean. You can visit this place with your friends and family and can enjoy the beautiful beaches, relax at the campground, or take a cruise. The main aim of this place is to give the visitors some amazing memories with their close ones.
The campsites here accommodate everything from tents to RVs. You will find picnic tables and campfire rings at every site. Besides this, the RVs at the old stage campground come with facilities like electricity, water, sewer, cable TV hookups, and more.
Address: 46 Old Stage Rd, Madbury, NH 03823
Distance from Portsmouth: Approximately 10 miles (15 minutes)
Best For: RV travelers, tent campers, family camping trips
Popular Amenities:
Full-hookup RV sites
Tent camping areas
Picnic tables
Campfire rings
Water and electric hookups
6). Exeter Elms Campground
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Locals enjoy coming to Exeter Elms Campground with their families & friends. The campsites here are large and private which attracts more visitors. The place holds an amazing pool. Visitors find something new whenever they come to this place. It is one of the highly recommended campgrounds near Portsmouth NH.
Address: 190 Court St, Exeter, NH 03833
Distance from Portsmouth: Approximately 18 miles (25 minutes)
Best For: Relaxing getaways, seasonal campers, families
Popular Amenities:
Large private campsites
Swimming pool
Family-friendly setting
Recreational activities
Quiet wooded surroundings
7). Wakeda Campground
Image Source: https://www.wakedacampground.com/
Wakeda is one of the most beautiful Portsmouth NH campgrounds. It is a family-friendly camping site nestled in the pines. Being just 8 miles away from Hampton Beach, NH, it is a very popular place. It offers a wide range of camping options like two-way hook-up trailer camping sites, cabins, rustic tent camping sites, and pull-throughs.
You get over 400 choices in sites. You can keep the perfect spot to enjoy yourself with your friends and family. It features modern and clean restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets, a playground, a camp store, a miniature golf course, and a new dog park. All the campsites of the Wakeda campground include a fireplace and a picnic table.
Address: 294 Exeter Rd, Hampton Falls, NH 03844
Distance from Portsmouth: Approximately 20 miles (30 minutes)
Best For: Families, RV campers, tent campers, group camping
Popular Amenities:
Miniature golf
Playground
Dog park
Camp store
Modern restrooms and showers
8). Great Bay Camping, LLC
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Great Bay Camping is a campground that offers top-notch customer service. It is a family-owned business to make the visitors happy. This campground is close to the ocean, so you can also bring your boat there. This place also offers ramp access in the campground. It is around 30-40 min from Portsmouth, Nh. You can enjoy good food at Great Bay Camping with some outdoor fun games. It is just a 30-40 min boat ride with public docks.
Address: 60 NH-108, Newfields, NH 03856
Distance from Portsmouth: Approximately 22 miles (30 minutes)
Best For: Boaters, outdoor enthusiasts, families
Popular Amenities:
Boat access
Family-friendly atmosphere
Outdoor games
Waterfront activities
Spacious campsites
9). Burnette's Trailers & Tents
Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/BurnettesTrailerandTent/
Burnette’s Trailers & Tents is a wonderful campground located right in the heart of York beach. It is a camping ground that is just 287 steps away from Short Sands Beach. The visitors can enjoy different sites with tents, trailers, and RV's. This place has been owned and handled by the Woods Family since the year 1970.
Address: 21 Railroad Ave, York, ME 03909
Distance from Portsmouth: Approximately 12 miles (18 minutes)
Best For: Beach lovers, RV travelers, families
Popular Amenities:
Tent camping
Trailer sites
RV sites
Walking distance to the beach
Family-operated campground
10). Tidewater Campground
Image Source: https://tidewatercampgroundnh.com/
Tidewater is one of the most popular campgrounds near Portsmouth NH. The place is well kept, peaceful, and has a nice saltwater pool. It has beautiful camping sites to offer. And the owner of this place keeps these sites clean and fun for the visitors. So, if you are looking for a peaceful campground to visit with your family, it is the best place.
Address: 160 Lafayette Rd, Hampton, NH 03842
Distance from Portsmouth: Approximately 22 miles (30 minutes)
Best For: Quiet camping, nature lovers, family vacations
Popular Amenities:
Saltwater swimming pool
Spacious campsites
Peaceful setting
Family-friendly environment
Well-maintained facilities
What to Look for When Choosing a Campground Near Portsmouth, NH
Not all campgrounds offer the same experience. Before booking your campsite, consider the type of camping trip you want to enjoy and the amenities that matter most to you.
Camping Style
Some campgrounds are designed primarily for RV travelers, while others focus on tent camping, cabins, or a mix of accommodations. Choose a campground that fits your travel style and equipment.
Family-Friendly Amenities
Families may want campgrounds that offer playgrounds, swimming pools, recreation areas, and organized activities for children.
Proximity to Beaches and Attractions
Many campgrounds near Portsmouth provide convenient access to popular destinations such as York Beach, Hampton Beach, and Portsmouth's historic waterfront.
Pet-Friendly Options
If you're traveling with pets, check campground policies regarding dogs, leash requirements, and pet-friendly amenities.
Best Campgrounds Near Portsmouth, NH by Travel Style
Different travelers have different needs. Here are some of the best campgrounds near Portsmouth based on travel preferences.
Best Oceanfront Campground
Libby's Oceanside Camp offers direct ocean views and a unique coastal camping experience.
Best Family-Friendly Campground
Wakeda Campground features spacious sites, recreational activities, a playground, miniature golf, and family-oriented amenities.
Best RV Campground
Old Stage Campground provides full-hookup RV sites with electricity, water, sewer connections, and modern conveniences.
Best Campground Near York Beach
Burnette's Trailers & Tents is located just a short walk from York Beach attractions and the shoreline.
Best Quiet Camping Experience
Tidewater Campground is perfect for travelers seeking a peaceful environment away from large crowds.
Things to Do Near Portsmouth, NH Campgrounds
Camping near Portsmouth offers easy access to some of New Hampshire and Southern Maine's most popular attractions.
Explore Historic Downtown Portsmouth: Walk through charming streets filled with local shops, restaurants, waterfront views, and historic architecture.
Relax at Hampton Beach: One of New Hampshire's most popular beaches, Hampton Beach offers swimming, entertainment, dining, and seasonal events.
Visit York Beach and Nubble Lighthouse: Just a short drive away, York Beach is known for its sandy shoreline, scenic views, and the iconic Nubble Lighthouse.
Shop at the Kittery Outlets: Visitors can browse dozens of outlet stores offering apparel, footwear, home goods, and more.
Enjoy Outdoor Adventures: The Portsmouth area offers kayaking, boating, whale watching tours, fishing excursions, and scenic coastal trails.
Looking for a Comfortable Alternative to Camping?
While camping can be a fun outdoor adventure, it may not be the ideal option for every traveler. Weather conditions, limited amenities, and sleeping arrangements can sometimes make camping less comfortable than expected.
For travelers looking for a relaxing stay near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Kittery Inn & Suites offers comfortable accommodations, modern amenities, and convenient access to many of the area's top attractions. Guests can enjoy easy access to beaches, shopping, dining, and outdoor activities while returning to a comfortable room at the end of the day.
Start Planning Your Portsmouth Camping Getaway
With so many great campgrounds near Portsmouth NH, finding the perfect place for your next outdoor getaway is easier than ever. Whether you prefer beachfront camping, RV travel, or family-friendly campgrounds, the Seacoast region offers something for every type of camper.
Are you looking for a hotel to stay in near Portsmouth, NH?
Minutes to downtown Portsmouth. The first hotel over the border from Portsmouth, NH.