34 Best Camping Sites in New England

By Kelley Boymer
2 Aug 2022

Featured image by Kris Roller

Camping in New England is such a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors, get away from technology and connect with nature. Summers in New England are beautiful and perfect for camping. And it’s a favorite destination among campers. Camping in New England is warm sunny days spent swimming, kayaking and napping in hammocks and cool crisp evenings roasting marshmallows over the fire– it doesn’t get anymore relaxing and outdoorsy than that.

We recently shared 5 Camping Tips, to help you pack and prepare for your next adventure. Oftentimes, people want to camp but don’t know where to go and how to go about booking their trip. There are plenty of camping sites for everyone no matter what type of adventure you are looking for. The fun in booking a campsite is you can take your pick from campsites near a lake, in the woods, with mountain views, inside a national park and so much more.

Today we are sharing the best campsites in New England so you can enjoy your camping experience to the max with water access, beautiful views, amenities and endless adventure to explore. Let us know your favorite campsites in New England in the comments below!

Best Camping Sites in New England
Photo By VADim Sadovski on Unsplash

34 Best Camping Sites in New England

Vermont

Grand Isle State Park

Open mid-May through mid-October, Grand Isle State Park is located on South Hero Island in Lake Champlain. This park has 115 tent/RV sites, 36 lean-to sites and 4 cabins, Grand Isle State Park is the 2nd largest site in the state. The park includes many activities. Including, hiking (easy nature trail within the park), swimming in lake Champlain, boating (boat launch and kayak rentals), fishing, nature programs, volleyball and horseshoes. While pets are not permitted in the designated swimming area and most cabins they are allowed in other parts of the park.

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Little River State Park

Little River State Park, part of Mount Mansfield State Forest in Waterbury, Vermont is one of the most popular camping sites in Vermont. The park includes 5 camps for rent and 81 tent/RV sites, 20 lean-to sites and 27 remote campsites accessible by boat. Open May-October, Little River State Park is a popular site for hiking (miles of trails within the park), swimming, boating (motor boat launch and rentals), fishing, nature programs, mountain biking and volleyball.

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Smugglers’ Notch State Park

Smugglers’ Notch State Park is open mid-May through mid-October with 20 tent sites and 40 lean-to sites. In fact, Smugglers’ Notch State Park is unique in its proximity to Mount Mansfield and a plethora of hiking and mountain biking trails. Within the park there are picnicking options and nature programming. Pets are welcome at this park.

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Brighton State Park

Brighton State Park

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Campbell’s Bay Campground

Campbell’s Bay Campground

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North Beach Campground

North Beach Campground

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New Hampshire

Dry River CampGround

Dry River Campground located between the Saco and Dry River in Crawford Notch State Park offers a lovely wooded setting. Leashed pets are welcome. Restrooms are accessible for campers. There are 36 tent, lean-to and pop-up sites. There are many activities to enjoy while camping at Dry River including hiking, picnicking and river access. Within a short distance of the campground is Mount Washington Cog Railway and Story Land Theme Park.

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White Lake State Park

Known for its excellent swimming, White Lake State Park located in the White Mountain region on the glacial White Lake. Activities at the park include walking about the footpath, enjoying the loons, trout fishing, lounging on the beaches, boating, picnicking areas and playground.

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Dolly Copp Campground

Open mid-may through mid-October, Dolly Copp Campground is located along the Peabody River. And is a wonderful wooded camp area for picnicking and enjoying the outdoors. Some campsites have brook or riverfront access and bathrooms are available as well.

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Northern Water Outfitters

Northern Water Outfitters

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Massachusetts

Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort

For all the glampers out there, Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort is for you. This family friendly luxury camping resort has all of the amenities to meet your glamping needs. With everything from two outdoor pools, pop up trailers, safari tents, gym and fitness equipment, onsite restaurant, arcade, barn, dog park, wellness center, playground and so much more.

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Shawme-Crowell State Forest Campground

Located on Cape Cod, Shawme-Crowell State Forest Campground is a quiet campground with over 285 wooded campsites (6 yurts). Activities at this campground include hiking over 15 miles of roads and trails, picnic tables and fire rings at each campsite, playground, and pavilion. Located within close distance to Scusset Beach, Myles Standish State Forest, Pilgrim Memorial State Park, Forefather’s Monument and Ellisville State Park.

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Salisbury Beach State Reservation

Salisbury Beach State Reservation is

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Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground

Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground

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Bourne Scenic Park

Bourne Scenic Park

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Boston Harbor Islands

Boston Harbor Islands

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Connecticut

Rocky Neck State Park

Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme is the perfect spot for family friendly beachfront camping. Enjoy everything from picnicking, hiking, saltwater fishing and swimming. With 160 sites ranging from woody to open to rustic cabin, Rocky Neck provides pavilion, bathrooms, food concessions and picnic tables. Unfortunately you will have to leave your furry friends at home for this camping excursion.

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Bear Creek Campground

For another family friendly camping adventure, head to Bear Creek Campground in Bristol. One of the only campgrounds within walking distance from a theme park, Bear Creek also known as Lake Compounce Campground, is a fun-filled destination for the whole family to enjoy. With everything from cabins, huts and tipis to RV spaces and tent sites. They also provide discounted tickets for the theme park with your stay.

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Odetah Camping Resort

Known as Connecticut’s premier camping resort, Odetah Camping Resort provides all the amenities to make your stay luxurious. Relax and enjoy your stay by hiking, fishing, boating, live music, mini golf, pool and jacuzzi, tennis, volleyball, shuffleboard, basketball, beachfront access and wellness services. Odetah is family friendly but also provides opportunity for adult only areas for peace and quiet.

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Charlie Brown Campground

Scenic campground, cabins and RV sites at Charlie Brown Campground.

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Waters Edge Family Campground

Waters Edge Family Campground is a 10 acre, lake front campsite with swimming, fishing and more.

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Rhode Island

Ashaway RV Resort by Zeman

Ashaway RV Resort by Zeman is the perfect destination for your next RV adventure. Within proximity to beaches, golf courses, rivers, casinos, Mystic, Connecticut, Watch Hill and Westerly, Rhode Island the options are endless for your Ashaway stay. The resort has a variety of recreational activities (pickle ball, corn hole, shuffleboard, arcade, miniature golf, splash pad, swimming pool and more) and its dog friendly.

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Charlestown Breachway

Open April through October, Charlestown Breachway is a camping area within walking distance to the beach, with panoramic views of Block Island Sound. The Charlestown Breakaway State Park is known for its fishing and also has great opportunity for biking, hiking and boating with a local boat launch.

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East beach state campgrouND

Set up camp right on the beach with 3 miles of undeveloped land in Charlestown, Rhode Island. There are 10 campground sites with composting toilets and limited parking (this spot fills up fast). It’s just you and the sound of the ocean at this beautiful RI camping location. East Beach State Campground.

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Whispering Pines Campground

Whispering Pines Campground

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Maine

WOLFE’S NECK OCEANFRONT CAMPING

With both oceanfront and farmland views, Wolfe’s Neck Oceanfront Camping is not only a scenic but convenient location located within short distance of Freeport (L.L. Bean, shopping and restaurants). This campsite includes everything from pet friendly campsites, farm camp for kids and barnyard animals, a beautiful shoreline to explore, miles of nature trails, and rentals for kayak and biking and gardens. Their onsite farm cafe offers farm fresh food options.

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Schoodic Woods CampGround

Schoodic Woods Campground located in beautiful Acadia National Park is the perfect spot for your walking, hiking, biking and kayaking adventure. Within 15 minutes from the ocean, Schoodic Woods is surrounded by beautiful scenic towns with shops and restaurants to explore. This quieter side of Acadia is a true gem.

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Sandy Pines Campground

Sandy Pines Campground is Kennebunkport, Maine has a range of options for your camping excursion from RV and tent sites, to glamping tents, cottages and unique retreats. With private beachfront access, onsite saltwater pool, grand lodge, general store, playground and lawn games, kids craft and game tent, kayaks and paddleboards for rent

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Bar Harbor Campground

Bar Harbor Campground

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Smugglers Den Campground

Smugglers Den Campground

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Lily Bay State Park

Lily Bay State Park

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Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve

Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve

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Sebago Lake State Park

Sebago Lake State Park

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Mount Blue State Park

Mount Blue State Park

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What are your favorite New England camping destinations? Let us know in the comments!

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2 Comments

  1. Megan wrote:

    Love Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground! They are the best! A favorite in Maine is Megunticook by the Sea.

    8.2.22 | Reply
    • Thanks for the rec, Megan! We will add that one to to the list!

      8.4.22 | Reply