Beach camping near Portsmouth

This port town is the perfect base to explore New Hampshire’s great outdoors.

99% (350 reviews)

United States
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New Hampshire
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Portsmouth

99% (350 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Portsmouth

Community favorites near Portsmouth

Public campgrounds near Portsmouth

Pawtuckaway State Park: site 43 and site 44 on Horse Head Island are both large private sites with direct lake access.

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(14)

Pawtuckaway Campground

173 sites · RVs, Tents In Pawtuckaway State Park

When there's few people around and skies are clear, who needs a tent? Campsite #75.

88%

(8)

Harold Parker Campground

84 sites · RVs, Tents In Harold Parker State Forest

Hampton Beach Campground

28 sites In Hampton Beach State Park

Ellacoya Campground

37 sites In Ellacoya State Park

70%

(8)

Salisbury Beach Campground

458 sites · RVs, Tents In Salisbury Beach State Reservation

Stories from the community

2 nights at Souhegan Shores

I loved our site at site 2. It had everything we would need and the river is right there, nice hearing it from our tent. The trails are easy to navigate. Bob is an excellent host and his attention details are awesome.

Weekend Trip to Yurty Expectations Conga Camp Maine

Cliff was a great host! Beautiful spot, very relaxing and we had a wonderful time! I think our dog might have loved it the most!

Weekend Trip to Souhegan Shores

The spot is magical. A secluded area with river access, little bridges, an outhouse, table, fire pit, and dogs roaming around. Bob and Tini are very kind and make sure you have a great stay. I wish I could keep this place hidden all to myself but it genuinely deserves a 10/10.

Weekend Trip to Souhegan Shores

Fantastic spot! Right next to the river, very spacious. Bob has made it a homy spot with a platform with a picnic table, and a nice firepit. He also provided firewood which was a great touch. Thanks for a great stay hoping to come back!

1 night at Souhegan Shores

This site is beautiful and private, right on a bend in the river with a swimming hole. There was plenty of firewood, the host was very communicative and helpful, the site was well marked, well maintained and well supplied.

Weekend Trip to Souhegan Shores

Nice host, very good privacy. Tones of space for activities and close to river. Will try site 1 next time.

1 night at Souhegan Shores

Site 2 was nice for 1 tent. If we get more next time maybe we will check out site1. The host was nice and helpful.

Weekend Trip to Souhegan Shores

Bobs camps are really great. Camps 2 is big open but very secluded, you will not here or see anyone. Bob made sure you are 100% setup for the camp with a porta loo and wood bin. i will be coming back time and time again. I did get woken up one night to fiercly battling racoons haha. also there was a big group of turkeys that visted and Wilson (Bobs pup) will visit.

Weekend Trip to Souhegan Shores

We loved our stay at site 2! It was very private and peaceful overlooking the water. Good level spot for our large tent and a nice platform for dining. The signs are very clear to get back to the site. We even arrived after dark because of traffic and had no issues navigating. Bob and Wilson were great hosts! We hope to stay again some time.

1 night at Souhegan Shores

Bob was very hospitable even though we weren’t able to make it to the property! I’d love the chance to stay here in the future.

Weekend Trip to Souhegan Shores

Bob was great! Very helpful! Would definitely recommend to families with young ones. Beautiful site and secluded from other one.

Weekend Trip to Souhegan Shores

Winter/Early Spring Camp: Bob was a very accommodating and friendly host. Plenty of wood was provided to help us feed the camp stove and stay warm in our tent. The views were great and we felt very secluded. It was a great stay for me, my wife, and two dogs.

1 night at Souhegan Shores

Great site for winter camping. Host was awesome and communicated fast. Love having wood on site. A+

Elizabeth

February 2025

2 nights at Yurty Expectations Conga Camp Maine

Cliff went out of his way to make us comfortable—which included a lot of shoveling to access the yurt where we spent a lovely evening.

1 night at Souhegan Shores

Clear instructions, good comms before the visit, and as described! Thanks

Weekend Trip to Souhegan Shores

Amazing and kind host. Was very helpful throughout the whole trip! Would definitely go again

4 nights at Yurty Expectations Conga Camp Maine

A quiet and well kept site. We plan on going back, good area for Astrophotography. The outhouse was clean and as expected. The sink with running water made washing dishes a breeze and close to the camping area. Lots of flat space to spread the camp out.

3 top beach campgrounds near Portsmouth

100%

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Souhegan Shores

2 sites · RVs, Tents21 acres · Merrimack, NH

Camp next to the river bank of the Souhegan River in the shade of oak, hickory, blue birch, hemlock and white pine. Let the song of the rapids sing you to sleep. Maybe the resident owls will join the serenade. This slice of heaven is only 5 minutes from the Everett Turnpike and less than an hour from Boston. Site-1 is located under the trees adjacent to a 3 acre meadow and Christmas Tree farm. Camp near the bank of the Souhegan River in the shade of white pine, shag bark hickory and blue birch while listening to the river tumble over the ledges upstream. In season, enjoy the chest deep swimming hole 100 feet from your campsite. Two horses graze on the other side of the privacy fence. If you don't like friendly dogs try site 2 where we have a better chance of keeping our dog Wilson from dropping in to visit. He loves people too much not to want to greet folks on Site 1. Site-2 is at the farthest most downstream end of the property and from mid-May to mid-October it is totally screened by foliage. From your site you only see trees and the river. If you don't like other dogs, this is the site you want. Still no guarantee Wilson won't visit, but it's easier to keep Wilson away from this corner of the property. The other side of the river is town conservation land so the only people you're likely to see will be passing by in kayaks or on paddleboards. SPECIAL NOTE: Apr 26th Update The roads are fine. It's always a good idea to check ahead with your host if southern NH receives 2 inches of rain though. Getting in is the easier part, but confirm your vehicle won't have difficulty getting back up the slight rise to exit the sites. More description... In dry season, both sites are a great place to start a float trip and you'll likely have the next 1.5 miles all to yourself since rapids up stream become impassable in July and August. You are only two traffic lights away from the Merrimack Premium Outlet Mall if you need something to do during inclement weather.

98%

(29)

Island View At Kiwanis Beach

3 sites · Lodging50 acres · Standish, ME

Enjoy unforgettable sunrises and sunsets at your own private sandy beach on 448 acres of Watchic Lake. Perfect for kayaking, canoeing, fishing, Loon watching and pristine swimming! Break away from the chaos of everyday life and have a relaxing getaway on your own private sandy beach. At Island View at Kiwanis Beach you have your own inlet where you can fish, swim, canoe on 448 acres of water. listen to the loon warn their young when the American Bald Eagles are over head. Enjoy the beautiful sunsets over the lake. Local amenities include Hiking, walking trails, Farmers Market, local shops and Restaurants. if you chose to explore, White Mountains and North Conway Outlet stores, 45 minutes away ! Or the Atlantic ocean; Casco Bay, Old port of Portland, Old Orchard Beach and Saco Bay are 30 minutes away! Accommodations are large canvas tent on platform, with queen size bed. Picnic tables, 2 Adirondack chairs, easy-up canopy, firepit, 5 gallon water cooler, Coleman stove, cooler, lanterns, trash can, fire extinguisher and first aid kit, and portable toilet.

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(107)

Bakers Island Light Campsite

3 sites · Tents10 acres · Salem, MA

Bakers Island Light Station is located on Bakers Island in Salem Sound, a 60-acre island with a large summer colony. The lighthouse stands at 59 feet tall and continues to guide ships in and out of Salem Harbor with an alternating 20-second white-red light. The 10-acre light station, which includes six historic structures such as two keepers houses, an oil house, and a lantern room (now operating as a gift shop), is located in the northwest quadrant of the island and was formally owned and operated by the US Coast Guard. The rest of the island is in private ownership including the Bakers Island Wharf. The deed to historic Bakers Island Light Station was transferred on August 27, 2014, from the United States government to the Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage). Learn more about this land: Rated #1 Hipcamp site in Massachusetts by Outdoor Magazine in 2020! Enjoy the sights and sounds of off-the-grid coastal living at the Bakers Island Light Station Campsite. Set up your tent on a raised platform and take in the beauty of Salem Sound. Meet the summer lighthouse keepers, stroll through island trails, and unwind...just three miles off the coast of Salem! Getting to camp: PLEASE READ - the only way to get to Bakers Island Light Campsite is by boat. You have three options: 1) Use your own kayaks and paddle out to our beach (this is recommended for advanced kayakers only). 2) Take our landing craft, Naumkeag, out to the island for $70 per person. (Boat departs from Blaney Street dock on Friday at noon and picks you up from the Island on Sunday at noon). FREE overnight parking is available there. 3) Take your own boat, and rent a mooring for $59 a night (you will need your own dinghy to get ashore). Essex Heritage is the non-profit organization that operates and maintains the 10-acre light station at Bakers Island, with the mission of public access and preservation. IMPORTANT: The $60 per night fee covers 4 people per site. The absolute capacity for each site is 4 people, and you must provide us the name of each guest prior to arrival. TRANSPORTATION: Bakers Island Light Station is a remote island located in Salem Sound. There are a few ways to get there, including taking the Essex Heritage landing craft (additional fee per person) from Salem, renting a mooring at the light station for your own boat, or kayaking. ALL CAMPERS MUST ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION AFTER BOOKING. DETAILS WILL BE SENT FOLLOWING CONFIRMATION OF BOOKING.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

100%

(14)

Pawtuckaway State Park

Raymond, New Hampshire

Morning sunrises light up the open evergreen woods.

88%

(8)

Harold Parker State Forest

Andover, Massachusetts

Hampton Beach State Park

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire

Ellacoya State Park

Laconia, New Hampshire

70%

(8)

Salisbury Beach State Reservation

Salisbury, Massachusetts

Other options near Portsmouth

Sea Coast Camping And RV Resort

51 sites1 acre · North Hampton, NH

Discover the charm of our campground, where a diverse range of 158 sites caters to every type of camper, making it a perfect destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Among our offerings, you’ll find 69 sites equipped with full hookups for RVs and travel trailers (30 amp), 9 additional full hookup sites (50 amp), 27 sites with both water and electricity, 25 sites featuring 20 amp electric service, and 28 basic tent sites that do not include water or electricity. While our campground may not be nestled in a dense forest, our grassy and shaded sites provide a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Our campground boasts essential facilities designed for your convenience and enjoyment. You can take advantage of two bathhouses featuring metered showers, a spacious game room filled with fun activities, and a delightful playground area for the little ones. Additionally, our camp store is stocked with all the essentials you might need during your stay. Each tent site comes with a fire ring and picnic table, while fire rings for full hookup sites are available upon request. Whether you’re looking to relax or engage in outdoor adventures, our campground is the ideal base for exploring nearby natural features, swimming holes, and local restaurants and shops. Come experience the unique blend of comfort and adventure that awaits

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Dixon's Coastal Maine Campground

33 sites1 acre · Cape Neddick, ME

Dixon's Campground stands out as a serene retreat nestled within twenty-six acres of pristine Maine woods, offering campers a unique blend of natural beauty and tranquility. Located in Cape Neddick, Maine, this campground provides an idyllic setting for those seeking a peaceful escape while still being close to vibrant coastal attractions. Just two miles south of Ogunquit Center and three miles north of York Beach, Dixon's Campground is perfectly situated for exploring the stunning local scenery. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, from hitting the beautiful beaches and browsing charming outlet shops to discovering the thrill of sea kayaking and visiting the iconic Nubble Light. After a day of adventure, unwind poolside and soak in the peaceful ambiance of the surrounding woods. Whether you're looking for a relaxing getaway or an action-packed vacation, Dixon's Coastal Maine Campground is your gateway to the best of southern Maine. Experience the perfect blend of outdoor fun and serene relaxation, all within reach of the area's natural wonders and local attractions.

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Red Apple Campground

72 sites1 acre · Kennebunkport, ME

Red Apple Campground stands out as a premier destination for camping enthusiasts, having earned the prestigious "Top Rated Park Award" from the Good Sam RV Travel Guide & Campground Directory for 13 consecutive years. With a perfect score of 30 out of 30, we proudly rank among the top 151 campgrounds nationwide, and we are one of only two parks in the entire State of Maine to achieve this honor. Nestled on 15 beautifully landscaped acres, our campground features 140 spacious grassy and paved sites, complete with pull-through and back-in options. Guests can enjoy paved roadways, a newly remodeled service building with clean bathrooms, free hot showers, and a 24-hour Laundromat equipped with front-loading washers and gas dryers. Our heated and air-conditioned facilities ensure comfort year-round, including a recreation hall with multiple flat-screen TVs, DVD and VCR players, board games, and a coin-operated pool table, with proceeds benefiting the Maine Children's Cancer Fund. All overnight sites, including most tent sites, come with water and electric hookups (20, 30, and limited 50 amps), while many also offer sewer and cable connections. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, allowing for a cozy outdoor experience. Our grounds are meticulously

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Beach camping near Portsmouth guide

Overview

Looking for a camping getaway near Portsmouth, New Hampshire with a beach? Look no further! Hipcamp offers over 100 options in this area that cater to your beach-loving heart. From sandy shores to stunning views, you'll find the perfect spot to pitch your tent or park your RV. Check out top campsites like Greenbush Farm (213 reviews), Center Pond Farm (107 reviews), and Cape Cod Horse Farm (90 reviews) for a memorable camping experience. With popular amenities like pets, trash, and toilets, and activities ranging from climbing to horseback riding to paddling, you'll have everything you need for a fantastic beach camping adventure. Plus, with an average price per night of $55 and options as low as $25, you can enjoy the beauty of the beach without breaking the bank. Happy camping!