The best camping near Harold Parker State Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Harold Parker State Forest adventure.

88% (8 reviews)

Discover the natural allure of Harold Parker State Forest's trails and tranquil ponds.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Harold Parker State Forest

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Harold Parker State Forest

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

88%

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Harold Parker Campground

84 sites · RVs, Tents In Harold Parker State Forest

Explore camping beyond Harold Parker State ForestDiscover 200+ magical spots to camp in State Forests

Top-rated campgrounds near Harold Parker State Forest

98%

(87)

Boulder Brook

6 sites · Tents26 acres · Candia, NH

Secluded in the wilderness, Boulder Brook Hipcamp has private tent sites right next to a babbling brook. The access road is a nice gravel .6 mile long road that is not maintained in the Winter. There is firewood for sale via Venmo right in the parking area, $6 per bundle. There is also a nice outhouse. There are 4 first come, first serve sites with tent platforms and fire pits. There is quick access to the Rockingham Recreational Trail, which is ideal for walking, mountain biking, and exploring. There is also a great swimming hole nearby called Chivers Pond. The campsites are located on the back corner of the Chivers Farm property and seasonal farm goods will be available for campers to purchase coming in 2025.

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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.

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Spacious Skies Minute Man Campground

100 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Littleton, MA

Escape the bustle without sacrificing convenience at Spacious Skies Minute Man. Nestled in historic Littleton’s pine forests, our campground offers a peaceful retreat steps away from iconic National Historic Parks and Walden Pond. Choose wooded or open sites for your RV or tent, enjoy modern amenities like our heated pool and rec hall, and let the kids and pups run free in the playground and dog runs. Need a break from cooking? Our camp store has you covered, plus local restaurants deliver! Cozy cabins are also available. Don’t miss out on this unique blend of nature and city access – book your stay today! Relax in the heart of history at Spacious Skies Minute Man. Our campground’s tranquil, wooded setting near legendary Walden Pond and National Historic Parks offers the perfect escape from everyday life. Whether you’re in an RV, tent, or one of our cozy cabins, you’ll find everything you need for a comfortable adventure: picnic tables, fire rings, full hookups, plus a heated pool, playground, rec hall, and even dog runs for your furry companions. Need a break from camp cooking? Our well-stocked camp store has essentials, and nearby restaurants offer takeout and delivery options for those lazy campground evenings. Explore the rich history of the region, immerse yourself in nature’s tranquility, or take a quick trip into Boston – the choice is yours! Spacious Skies Minute Man provides a unique blend of outdoor adventure and urban access. Don’t miss your chance to experience the best of both worlds! Our prime location and fantastic amenities mean sites fill up quickly. Book your getaway today and create memories that will last a lifetime at Spacious Skies Minute Man.

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F.a.C Campout

9 sites · Tents30 acres · Exeter, NH

A shared space for the animals and the artist. We are working on becoming sustainable into the future where we can gather to work on our art in a loving natural and healthy environment. We welcome you to come relax and rejuvinate on this sacred ground. We ask you respectfully carry in carry out any trash. The farm can accommodate and accept your empty recyclables and compostable material (meat is NOT an allowed compost item). Please arrive before dark to guarantee reservation as meet and greet required as well as to be shown area. Our family practices kindness and encourages community. #NFA ⚡

98%

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Woods, Pasture and Lots of Sun

3 sites · Lodging5 acres · Strafford, NH

Come camp in the foothills of Blue Job mountain, just a mile and a half down the road. 🏔 I have a 5 acre property with a small cabin set in the woods. It’s a 360 screened in cabin, there is a file out couch to a full sized bed. compost toilet available for campers’ use. You can have a fire 🔥 in the fire pit.

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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.

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Vintage camper, wifi & firepit

3 sites · Lodging1 acre · Canton, MA

Get outside and bring the dog! Glamping tiny house style. Vintage RV with attached enclosed room. Your own waterfront beach with campfire pit. Dogs welcome! Very close to neighbors in a quite secluded neighborhood, 10 miles from Boston. Experience the natural beauty of Massachusetts just a few miles outside of Boston, Blue Hills Reservation stretches over 7,000 acres with 125 miles of trails to explore through forests and wetlands, up hills and more. Peace and serenity 19 miles from downtown Boston MA. Bring the dog for swimming. Kayak and canoe in the back yard at the waters edge. Marshmallows and firewood included. Linens included. Space in backyard to pitch an extra tent for guests. Parking on lot in front of camper. Hiking trails around the lake.

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Peaceful Convenience

2 sites · Lodging3 acres · Bolton, MA

Come experience New England, embrace the silence, enjoy this 2.5 Acres property Abutting over 100 acres of protected wetlands with access to a private Home; bathroom, screened in porch, use of kitchen for coffee etc. all to enjoy. A babbling brook, hammock trees, peaceful, and serene. The surrounding area is a right to farm community with local beautiful farms within five minutes in every direction property is on a known bike route (2 bikes available for use) The town host a wonderful winery local coffee shop and hiking trails (map book on site) multiple area conservation lands. Bolton is known for its apple farms in the fall for picking and spring time blossoms. August through September harvest (my favorite) plenty of pick your own everything! We have great historic towns surrounding us like concord, Harvard and Hudson voted best small town in America, so much history, dinning etc. cross country skiing. Convenient location to Boston. If looking for an stress free escape the home also offers 2 guest rooms available for rent within a meditative shared space. Fire pit outdoors, fireplace in doors.

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Bear + Bird Homestead

1 site · Tent4 acres · Brentwood, NH

Welcome to our home! We're glad to have you. https://www.instagram.com/bearbirdhomestead Exeter River camping with floating dock Bucket toilet in privacy tent Hot/Cold Outdoor shower Well behaved dogs/leashed dogs are welcome 2 Min to Lindy's Country Store, 6 Min to Market Basket (and shopping plaza)/Epping Restaurants 15 minutes to downtown Exeter 20 minutes from Pawtuckaway State Park Over 300 acres of town forest hiking trails directly across the street.

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Ponderings at White Pond

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Concord Ma, MA

Once written about by Henry David Thoreau in Walden. He called it one of the "emerald eyes of the world" . A magical place yet so close to Boston.Learn more about this land:This winter we are offering up our cottage with an additional winterized tent for studio or additional guests. You need to walk about 100 yards down a gravel path to get to our secluded home. It is heated with two pellet stoves. One in the bedroom wing, the other in the livingroom/kitchen. Skating, ice fishing, and crosscountry skiing right outside your door when the weather is right. Peace and calm when the weather is harsh. The house is fully stocked with cooking. linens, and a bathroom. During the summer, glamping in our greenhouse-tent for peace and tranquility. It is under a canopy of trees with a cool pond breeze prevailing. The bed and linens are first rate for a very comfortable stay. There are shelves, potable water and a desk within. It is heated in the cool temps and fan cooled in the warmer days. There is a canoe and paddleboard available to borrow. The main house is attached by decks, the bathroom is shared with the main house and there is a kitchen for you to use. The 40 acre pond is 65 feet deep. It is a kettle pond which is spring fed with no river inlets to pollute it. Access is a little tricky with 100 yard hike from the parking area down a steep slope. The pond is stocked with bass and trout for great fishing. The birds are amazing. Henry David Thoreau wrote about White Pond in his book, Walden as the "emerald eyes of the world." This is a place that magic happens.

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Waterfront Woodsy Glamping

5 sites · Lodging27 acres · Bennington, NH

Find some info and links to a few of the unique accommodations on our property, in Southern NH, which is 27 acres on the Contoocook River and Powder Mill Pond. Be it swimming, kayaking, boating, sunning, hiking, biking, or fishing; spectacular fall foliage, and bird watching or winter sports like skiing, boarding, ice skating, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing,....take time out to enjoy what nature has to offer to the fullest, right here in your new backyard. Explore nature’s wonderland; starting with 27 acres of woods and waterfront beauty on Powder Mill Pond and the Contoocook River. During the warmer weather, you can hop in one of the kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats, (on-site for a small rental fee), sunbathe on the refreshing 30 ft. lily pad, or simply relax in the swing or hammock looking out over Mount Monadnock. During the winter, cross country ski, ice skate or fish or strap-on a pair of the complimentary snowshoes, ...while year round, enjoy sharing s’mores and stories by the fire pit!

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Grateful Acres by York Beach!

1 site · RV, Tent3 acres · Cape Neddick, ME

Whether you're looking for a home base for a beach or hiking adventure, or a peaceful getaway, Grateful Acres is truly a heaven we want to share with you! Our beautiful spot for your camper or tent is located minutes from Short and Long Sands beaches, Mt. A, and 15 minutes to Ogunquit, you’ll have access to all Maine’s southern seacoast has to offer. *Onsite porto potty available the end of April through October Build a campfire. Read a book. Soak in salt of the ocean. Or embark and explore top rated restaurants, beaches, museums, parks, and outdoor adventures!

The best camping near Harold Parker State Forest guide

Overview

About

Lookin’ to ditch Beantown but don’t have much time? Well, Harold Parker State Forest just twenty miles north covers 3,000 acres of white pine forest to go off adventuring in. Fun activities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and fishing–motor propelled boats are a no-no however. Not ready to head back to the city yet? Then stay over at the nearby campground just two miles down the road. The sites themselves are wicked spread out and offer a prime-time forest camping experience. And it gets better! Each is equipped with a grill and picnic table for you and your whole crew to enjoy.

Notable campgrounds

The Lorraine Park Campground offers a classic camping experience with 89 sites suitable for tents and RVs alike.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early, as spots fill up quickly, especially during peak summer months.
Check for cancellations regularly to snag a last-minute reservation.
Consider visiting during the weekdays for better availability.
Explore nearby camping options if the park is fully booked.

When to go

The best time to visit Harold Parker State Forest is from May to October when the park is fully accessible and activities like swimming and boating can be enjoyed. Winter offers a quiet, snowy retreat for cross-country skiing and ice skating.

Know before you go

Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for New England's variable conditions.
Parking fees apply from mid-May to October; have cash on hand for the $5 resident or $20 non-resident fee.
Accessible facilities are available, including camping sites and restrooms.
Remember to pack out all trash and respect the no-alcohol policy.
Wildlife is abundant, so keep a safe distance and store food securely.

88%

8 ratings · 2 reviews

July 2016

We stayed there last summer & made it our base camp for Salem. If we ever get back to Mass. we'll be there again. A surprisingly "wild" camping experience central to the Boston & The Northeast section of Mass. Get a spot on the pond. We were right across from the bathroom, which has showers & flush toilets. There are no hookups (no electricity). They do take reservations which I would recommend in the summer.

Cynthia K.

8 years on Hipcamp

September 2015

Harold Parker State Campground is the perfect distance from Boston for small one- or two-day escapes. I recently packed my pannier and headed up for a sunday evening stay. The ride from Boston is a pleasant two hour trip up through some small towns and rural roads, and has bike lanes most of the way. On a Sunday evening in the Fall the park is mostly empty, which means you get the bright and open camp grounds all to yourself! I had a blast exploring the trails through the state park on my cyclecross bike, and watching sunset over Fresh Lake. This is definitely me default quick getaway from the city!