Discover the best lakeside campgrounds in New England with fishing

United States
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New England

95% (936 reviews)

Popular camping styles for New England

Under $50

12 top lakeside campgrounds in New England with fishing

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Hidden Valley Nature Center

8 sites · Lodging, Tents1000 acres · Newcastle, ME

HIDDEN VALLEY NATURE CENTER IS 1,000 ACRES OF PROTECTED LAND IN JEFFERSON, MAINE - RICH WITH A VARIETY OF HABITAT AND TERRAIN INCLUDING OVER A MILE OF SHORE FRONT ON LITTLE DYER POND. Miles of multi-use trails great for hiking and biking, rolled and groomed XC ski trails, and several rustic huts and tent sites are waiting for you. Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC) is your forest. HVNC is part of Midcoast Conservancy, and a portion of the booking fees goes to support our mission to protect and restore vital lands and waters on a scale that matters. PLEASE NOTE: ALL of the cabins and campsites are WALK-IN ONLY. No pop-up campers or vehicles of any kind are permitted within the preserve or in the parking lot. Midcoast Conservancy members receive a 40% discount. Not a member? Visit the Midcoast Conservancy website and join through the "donate" button at the top right of the home page. Your membership confirmation email will include your discount code. Thank you!

Lake Auburn Community Forest

5 sites · RVs, Tents200 acres · ME

Nestled against 200 acres of protected watershed lands we are located directly on the original Spring Road from the 1800s. A short walk or bike southwest to the Lake Auburn Community Center and northeast to Lake Auburn's W.Spring Rd trails. Beautiful sunrises down by the water and catch the sun setting from your Hipcamp:) Learn more about this land: Miles of pedestrian trails nestled in the 300 year old West Auburn (Minot) Farm pastures and wooded forests. 50/30/20/15 amp services, water, sewer drains or dump station or Porta potty depending on which site you select. Firewood, dump station, rubbish services, internet, mail delivery, cable available for additional venmo/PPal fees.

Slippery Rock Trails LLC

6 sites · Lodging, Tents400 acres · Greene, ME

Forty five years ago, our family started assembling 400 acres of woods and fields on the banks of the beautiful Androscoggin River. We enjoy actively managing the property for wildlife habitat and tree growth. The diverse landscape includes over 1/2 a mile of river frontage, a 10 acre wildlife pond, rolling hills in the meadows and steep forested terrain with more than 10 miles of multi-use trails running throughout. Our lands have long been open to local hikers, bikers and cross country skiers, we are excited to share this beautiful property with a larger community. Scout for wildlife and birds, on our private 400 acres of forests and fields. Tire yourself by hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing the 10 miles of private trails. Located across the river from Riverlands State Park, just minutes from Lewiston-Auburn, Bates College, local breweries and just 2 1/2 hours from Boston. Wildlife abounds both on the property and across the river at Androscoggin Riverlands State Park.Quite often, a gentle breeze off the water will offer relief from black flies and mosquitoes, but the right bug repellent is recommended especially to fend off those pesky ticks that are so common in Maine.

TOAD HALL

2 sites · RVs2 acres · Harrison, ME

Toad Hall is a heated, one room, 8x8 cabin in Harrison, Maine, with access to the Bear River for wading and swimming (depending on the river height.) There are is a firepit at the cabin, along with one down by the river. The lower area by the river is a beautiful place to hang, pitch hammocks etc... The cabin is near the road, which is great for loading in and loading out, but you will hear/see cars drive by. (Read our reviews, we stand by them!) There is no running water or bathroom on the property so we ask you bring a camping potty and do not bury human waste. The Bear River, which is a beautiful spot to swim and wade in, runs right through the property- but it's also drinking water and a protected watershed. Again, please make sure you have a camping potty plan. Cabin Features: There are 2 cots inside, but also feel free to bring your own pads/bedding... Heat is provided via a propane Buddy Heater as needed (smoke/carbon dioxide detector is in the cabin.) There are solar lights inside, along with a USB plug to charge small devices. It is a clean, warm, dry room, with beautiful light and good ventilation with the windows cracked. Nearby places you will like: We are within walking distance to downtown restaurants and public swimming area on Long Lake. There's also porto potties next to the walkable country store, which has everything you forgot to bring. Also a great ice cream shack, and an above-average watering hole, The Olde Mill Tavern. This is a self check-in/out, so expect an easy arrival process (and we'll ask you to please leave the property prepared for the next guest to arrive.)

Yurty Expectations Conga Camp Maine

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Parsonsfield, ME

Learn more about this land: Very quiet and relaxing adventure surrounds you. Miles of trails, local sites hilltop views, warm white sand lakes to swim. Bikes, a few kayaks lots of trails. Wood heated Yurt , snow shoes, ice cleats ,Wood-fired hot tub YEAR-ROUND But you'll need 4 or more in your group and at least 2 nights Additional Hot tub useage criteria Just some add on extras available on request ahead of your stay. Hot tub use With 2 persons and a 2 night stay -additional fee $115 . Hot tub for 3 people and again 2 night stay additional $85 This property is one large Yurt can easily fit up to 7 adults or more if children or teen group. The last two weekends just prior to Halloween a large regional organization turns an old academy into a 25 room Haunted House..called The Haunting there is a fee and only 5 minutes away. We've been to it a number of times it is great

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Carter's XC Ski Center

4 sites · Lodging200 acres · Bethel, ME

Carter's Cross Country Ski Center and Shop has been a family-owned business since 1984. The land on which the trails have been built on has been in the Carter family since the late 1700's. The first Carter who came to Bethel was the first doctor in the area that helped Mollyocket, a Native American medicine woman. All the different generations that came along after were either farmers or loggers or both. Carter's XC Ski Center is located on the banks of the Big Androscoggin River. Our private established skiing/walking trails meander through the Maine woods all the way up to Farwell Mountain, overlooking Sunday River Ski, the Presidential and Mahoosuc Mountain Ranges and Mt. Washington. Nearby is Middle Intervale Farm, owned by John Carter, who produces his own vegetables and meat. He has a small, self-serve farm stand right on Intervale Road, next to Carter's. Guests can enjoy the property's views and amenities, such as hiking, kayaking, canoeing, skiing, snowshoeing, biking, bird watching, and relaxing. Enjoy the peacefulness and tranquility in one of our three cabins in the Maine woods.

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Colby's Cabin

1 site · Lodging10 acres · Carthage, ME

Beautiful, off-the-grid, rustic log cabin on 10 acres one mile up a 4-wheel drive trail. Located in a wilderness region minutes to Webb Lake, Tumbledown Mountain & Mt. Blue State Park. Trails of all kinds right out the front door. In the middle of Maine’s finest hiking, hunting, fishing, and boating. A perfect place for adventure, romance, celebration or serenity. An escape from the electronic world, the cabin has solar and battery lights but no power generator. (See Winter Conditions below) The space This is a cozy place with led lights & solar lights, candles, a gas cook range, gas refrigerator, wood stove, a dug well with hand-pump in the kitchen (pump can not be used when the temperature is below freezing) and a log cabin outhouse. Everything is here: 1 set of twin bunk beds and 1 queen size futon couch in the great room and a king bed in the bunk room. Fully outfitted with dishes, utensils, pots,/pans, linens/blankets/pillows, books, games, oil lanterns, camp/bag shower and more. There is a pantry cabinet full of food and spices. Firewood is included in the rental price. Propane, paper towels, toilet paper and dish soap are also provided. Guest access The whole property is at your disposal. All Wheel Drive or 4WD is needed to access the cabin in winter and mud season. Other things to note WINTER CONDITIONS (when ground is frozen): -4-wheel drive or All Wheel Drive needed. -There is NO running water from the well pump when the ground is frozen. The sink can be used with a bucket underneath. Bring extra water for washing. I will leave a couple of gallons to get you started! -Really big storms can cause reservations to sometimes be rescheduled but I always honor date changes or refunds due to storms. -Extreme Cold Weather: When temperatures fall to 15 degrees or below, we recommend that you use the propane heater in the bunk room along with the woodstove in the great room. It will be necessary for you to feed the wood stove every couple of hours. -Attention Snowmobilers: You may have to unload your snowmobiles at the bottom of the hill to get your trucks up the hill with trailers hitched. You could also leave your trailers at the bottom of the hill in a plowed out parking area. Ride the snowmobiles up separately. OTHER THINGS TO NOTE: Off the grid = NO ELECTRICITY! Amenities include bag shower, outhouse, gas range, woodstove, battery-operated LED lights, solar lights, candles, gas grill. No Shooting or target practice is allowed. Phone: Reliable cell phone service is 1 mile down the mountain in the spring and summer. Spotty service is available at the cabin during winter. Hydration: You MUST bring your own drinking water to be absolutely safe. The dug well is fed by springs and runoff. Dug wells can be contaminated by heavy rains, and wildlife. Drinking the well water is at your own risk. Bugs: This is mosquito and tick country. Use bug spray and do tick checks twice a day during spring, summer and fall. Dogs: Dogs are welcome. However, NEVER leave dogs unattended outside or allow to run at large. Year-round neighbors uphill have dogs that will be alerted to your dog(s) running at large. NEVER allow dogs to venture on the opposite side of Lamb Road or into neighbors' driveways. DO NOT leave dogs alone in the cabin. Please toss any waste deposited on the yard into the woods. Smoking: Cigarette smoking is allowed OUTSIDE the cabin. Cannabis smoking is allowed inside the cabin. Trash: It would be appreciated if you took your own trash, but if that is not possible, you may leave all of your food garbage and trash in the cabin at check-out and we will dispose of it for you. We request that food garbage or food scraps are NEVER left outside. Wildlife: Please do not feed the bears or any other wildlife, including birds, squirrels, fox, deer, coyote or anything you may see here at Ridgeview Cabin. Feeding wildlife results in a negative impact on the lives and environment of the animals, including possible death or extermination of the animals, and presents a potential risk to your safety. Feeding animals means intentionally leaving food out for them, or even simply leaving a bag of garbage outside where animals can get into it. This means that taking care of your food garbage is extremely important. You are welcome to use the garbage bags found in the cabin. If you must remove food garbage from the cabin, please store it in your vehicle until check-out. Never store trash or food scraps outside. Keep it down for the locals: There are year round residents uphill and downhill of the cabin within half a mile. Please be respectful of their quality of life and refrain from long sessions of target practice, aggressive snowmobile/4-wheeler riding around the cabin/up and down the road, yelling and loud music after 8PM and before 8AM.

Browns Ridge Family Farm!

6 sites · Lodging, Tents40 acres · Ossipee, NH

We are one of the first farms in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and was originally the first stage coach stop for the area. Our house built in 1750s and at one point had hundreds of acres passed down which were passed down from a kings grant The original area was named after the original settlers, the Browns. Our house was also tavern in the beginning. This property has only passed hands through 4 families and remained with the Browns for most of its life. It has stayed as a farm for most of its tenure. We own 40 acres of pasture and woods and would love for you to come stay!

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Duncan Lake Island

1 site · Tent1 acre · Center Ossipee, NH

Quiet and peaceful island in Duncan Lake, Ossipee, NH. Fall asleep listening to the loons, and wake up to beautiful sunrises! Approximately half an acre with plenty of level spots for tenting, great fishing (lake is stocked with trout), and excellent swimming. Property has a flat top Blackstone propane griddle (propane not provided), charcoal BBQ, and picnic table. Lots of hiking opportunities in the immediate area. Given the location, potential renters MUST have a canoe/kayak to access the land from the public beach. There are no restroom facilities of any kind, so please be prepared to pack in/pack out your preferred solution. Enjoy the serenity of this unique island oasis! Available May 1st - Oct 31st only. Parking is available at the public beach (Cleveland Beach).

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Lovedy's Land at Nubbin Corner.

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres · Limington, ME

Family owned property obtained through the barter system. You shingle my barn and I'll give you that property. My Pappy's land. 11 acres. Recently cleared for its timber. With some landscaping it became clear that beautiful campsites were forming. My father is 78 years old. The last thing he ever thought he would be doing with his retirement is jumping back on his excavator. Can't keep a good man down. Now here we are. Father and daughter. One day my children. 3 large tent sites and two camper sites. Future cabin and seasonal RV sites. A brook runs through the property but dries up after June. There is a small pond with rock stairs. Deer and turkey are frequently seen. Peace and serenity. This property does not offer complete seclusion. You will see other campers if all 3 sites are occupied. There is spacious distance. What this location offers is that it is centrally located to mountains, oceans, lakes,concert venues, restaurants, nightlife, shopping and antiquing. Traveling to NH and Massachusetts is a day trip. A few hours and your in central Maine. Cross the border into Canada. So much to explore or just relax. Stay a few nights or stay the season. 2023 is off to a great camping season. Already meeting new campers. Hopefully I'll see some familiar faces from 2022. A few upgrades. There is an outside water faucet, an outlet and an outside shower...hot and a privacy fence. There is a bathroom/shed that contains a bucket compost toilet. A compost bag and shavings/leaves/moss provided. The tent sites are off grid with a few conveniences. Please view my camper rental if you are seeking another experience. Goats are coming. Yes goats. Not until fall though. The frog pond population continues to grow. A neighboring town is finding 3 legged frogs in their ponds. Apparently caused by a parasite. Let me know if you find any.

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Wakefield Wildlife Sanctuary

2 sites · Lodging113 acres · Gardiner, ME

The Wakefield Wildlife Sanctuary was generously bequeathed to the Kennebec Land Trust in November 2016 upon owner Kendra Wakefield Shaw’s passing. Its 108-acres feature historic cabins and 4000 feet of frontage on Cobbossee Stream in West Gardiner. The property’s coniferous and deciduous woods, vernal pools, and marshlands are important habitat for many species of birds, mammals, and plants. In 2018, the Maine Cabin Masters renovated two of the stream-side cabins, which now serve as rustic getaways for Hipcampers and the like. A small dock and canoes are available for use on the wide and deep flatwater stream! *NEW 2024 - A dock has been added to cabin 2, so each cabin now has it's own private dock. Please carry-out your trash after your stay. Thank you! Due to the sensitive wildlife habitat - no dogs are allowed at either cabin. If you're interested in staying a full week at the cabins, please message us directly for availability. Kennebec Land Trust members receive a 10% discount on reservations. Not a member? Visit the KLT website to join and find more information about the Wakefield Wildlife Sanctuary Cabin, including a full list of what is provided. Your membership confirmation email will include your discount code. Thank you!

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The Queen's Property on Thomas Pond

2 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Casco, ME

THOMAS POND Thomas Pond is a beautiful 533-acre freshwater pond with over 7.4 miles of shoreline. Thomas Pond’s maximum depth is 64 feet, and the mean depth is 22 feet. Our guests are welcome to kayak, canoe, swim, fish, and paddle board from the shores of The Queen’s Property, or one of 5 Right of Ways on Watkins Shores Road owned by our Association. Access to your private waterfront is a short stroll through our woods. As our guest staying at The Queen's Property, you will also have free access to the Watkins Shores Road Association's boat launch. The boat launch is just a two or three minute walk down the road from your site. Our new dock is available to dock your boat during the day.. However, there is a small fee to dock your boat overnight (see "Extras") at our site. Just make sure you check for Milfoil or any other invasive plants before launching. LOCAL ATTRACTIONS NEAR CAMP Within 5 minutes of camp, you will find all the essentials, including food items, ice, firewood, goodies, gas, and RV supplies. In fact, you can even order your groceries online for pickup, (free at Hannaford Brothers Grocery and Walmart) either on your way to your campsite or when you need to resupply your camp (we would be happy to give you the details). During your stay, you may also want to take a trip off-site to explore all that the Lakes Region offers. Explore the historic oceanfront City of Portland, or the local Towns of Windham, Naples, or Bridgton. Portland is a 35 minute drive from The Queen's Property. The coastline around Portland is rugged and attractive with world-famous lighthouses dotted along its shorelines. Numerous locally owned shops and nationally recognized restaurants can be found tucked into its many harbors and shorelines. Closer to camp, enjoy strolling through the Town of Naples. Naples sits smack-dab in the middle of the Sebago Lakes Region. Sebago Lake abuts its western border and Long Lake abuts its eastern border. A short 8-minute drive from your site, Naples spoils its visitors with boat rentals, waterfront shops, and awesome restaurants. Further north is the Town of Bridgton. Bridgton is a 20-minute drive from your campsite. It offers its visitors a quaint downtown filled with local retailers, pubs, and restaurants. Enjoy the beaches of Bridgton’s Crystal Lake which sits on the edge of its downtown borders. The towns of Raymond and Windham also offer our visitors numerous restaurants, grocery stores, hardware stores, and gas stations. Once again, all within a short drive from your campsite (3-4 minutes). NEARBY STATE PARKS AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES If your idea of exploring is centered around outdoor activities, then Sebago Lake State Park is a 1,342-acre park that abuts the shores of Sebago Lake. It's one of Maine’s most popular parks. Located in the towns of Casco and Naples, the park is open year-round and is less than a 10 minute drive from your campsite. Within the park, you will enjoy protected forests, bike paths, and Sebago Lake beaches. Sebago Lake is a deep glacial lake, and by itself is 44 square miles of clear waters that abut Sebago Lake State Park. The park and the lake host some of Maine's’ best sandy beaches, water sports, fishing, boating, boat rentals, camping, picnic areas, boat launches, extensive woodlands, a wide array of critters, hiking trails, and walking trails. Sebago Park hosts various play areas for children with slides and swings. The summer sun is warm and the autumn colors are always abundant and beautiful. The entrance and parking lot are wheelchair accessible. If you are an avid hiker, The Queen’s Property is a short drive to numerous mountain ranges, forests, and peaks, all of which contain hundreds of miles of ATV and hiking trails. There are over 25 hiking trails within 10 miles of The Queen's Property and over 115 trails within 20 miles. Oh, and if you love winter sports you will love the Lakes Region. Numerous ski resorts, along with hundreds of miles of cross-country ski and snowmobile trails can be found throughout the area.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

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White Mountain National Forest

Bartlett, New Hampshire

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(6)

White Lake State Park

Center Ossipee, New Hampshire

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Jericho Mountain State Park

Berlin, New Hampshire

Grafton Notch State Park and Mahoosuc Public Lands

Maine

Mount Blue State Park

Wilton, Maine

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Lakeside camping in New England with fishing guide

Overview

From the brisk, rugged coasts of Maine to the quaint lake cottages of New Hampshire, New England is a camper’s paradise. This multi-state region offers a diverse range of activities, whether you’re visiting White Mountain National forest for some paddling or you’re biking across coastal Rhode Island. Nature trails, oceanfront camping and even glamping are available here. New England is also a great destination for adventure lovers because it’s easy to get away from the crowds and truly experience the natural side of this beloved area.

Where to go

Acadia National Park, Maine

Majestic trees meet Atlantic waters in Acadia National Park, a family-friendly nature getaway for campers of all stripes. From Hull’s Cove Visitor Center, you can take the park’s scenic drive to Sand Beach for a swim. Hikers can then enjoy the trek to Otter Point, which provides stunning views of the coastline, or take the Cadillac Mountain Loop hike. In addition to hiking trails, the park has numerous campsites and campgrounds available.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

A great place for quiet beach camping, Cape Cod has options with rv sites, cabins, family camping and everything in between. Far from the bustle of Boston, you can find bike and kayak rentals along the cape, with some good options in Provincetown. Cape Cod National Seashore is a haven for adventure and play, and there are a few state parks with pristine beaches, including South Cape Beach State Park and Scusset Beach State Reservation.

Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont

Vermont’s Green Mountains are the perfect place to adventure any time of year, but in the warmer months, you can enjoy full service family campgrounds as well as tent sites. Granville State Forest has biking trails, while Savoy Mountain State Park has multiple camping spots and a lake for canoeing. The Appalachian Trail also stretches through a section of the Green Mountains, intersecting with Long Trail, if you’re feeling extra adventurous.

When to go

New England’s winter’s are famously harsh, so you’ll want to keep tent camping between May and October. Note that crowds will die down significantly once kids go back to school in early September, so keep in mind that you may have a better time (and a peek at some changing leaves) if you choose to camp in early fall.