Best Camping in New England: Top Tent & Car Campgrounds You’ll Love

Looking for the best camping in New England?

Whether you’re dreaming of a quiet spot to pitch your tent away from the crowds, easy car camping spots near lakes and beaches, or scenic campgrounds where the view is the main attraction, New England delivers an incredible range of camping experiences within a relatively small footprint.

From Maine’s rugged coastline and deep forests to Vermont’s mountain ponds, New Hampshire’s dramatic notches, and sandy coastal parks farther south, camping in New England is all about variety.

You can pitch a tent steps from the ocean, park your car beside a crystal-clear lake, or hike your gear into a secluded site where the only soundtrack is wind in the trees.

Summers may be short here, but they’re made for camping. Long daylight hours, cool nights, and easy access to wild places make New England one of the best regions in the country for both tent camping and car camping.

This guide to the best camping in New England is based on firsthand experience and focuses on campgrounds that stand out for scenery, privacy, access to recreation, and overall vibe.

Don’t wait to reserve a spot at one of these lovely New England campgrounds for your next outdoor getaway.

How We Chose the Best Camping in New England

It’s no secret that we love both camping and New England, and while we haven’t been to every campground in the region, we have visited many, and we have been adjusting and readjusting our list of favorites for the past twenty years.

When choosing our favorites, we look at a few different things:

• Popularity and crowds: Generally, we want a peaceful camping experience, but if the location is good, we adjust our expectations. The best campgrounds are popular for a reason.
• Location: Proximity to good hiking trails, lakes, waterfalls, and cool towns.
• Amenities and attractions: We love not having to get in our car, so onsite amenities, trails, and water features within the park can sway us.
• Scenery: Yep, we love a campground with a hefty dose of scenic beauty.
• Privacy: Even crowded campgrounds can offer privacy if they’re laid out nicely. We look for campgrounds with sites that are well-spaced for seclusion

Traditional front-country campgrounds allow you to drive to your site and set up your tent nearby, which is what we usually do. Campgrounds with walk-in tent sites offer added privacy, and if you’re traveling in an RV, you may not crave the same level of privacy as tent campers.

Best Tent Camping in New England (Quiet, Scenic & Walk-In Sites)

Before we get to the state-by-state list of our favorite campgrounds, we wanted to call out our favorite spots for walk-in tent sites because we are often asked where to camp in New England for more privacy and fewer crowds. Here are our suggestions:

• Cobscook Bay State Park, Maine: There are some lovely, private walk-in tent sites on Cobscook Point that can be reserved in advance.
• Schoodic Woods Campground, Maine: 13 primitive, hike-in sites are very secluded.
• Wolf’s Neck Oceanfront Campground, Maine: The car-free and walk-in quiet area is set along the edge of a tidal estuary, and it is frequented by herons, osprey, and eagles. 
• Sebago Lake State Park, Maine: This is a busy lakeside campground, but a few quiet walk-in tent sites are available.
• Crawford Notch State Park, New Hampshire: There are six primitive walk-in tent sites available.
• Grout Pond Campground, Vermont: Most of the waterfront sites at Grout Pond are either hike-in or paddle-in.
• Burton Island State Park, Vermont: There are no cars on the island, so virtually all of the sites are walk-in, but they are quite close together. There are a few primitive waterfront sites away from the main campground, but they require an extra hike or paddle to reach.
• Rocky Neck State Park, Connecticut: This park has 16 primitive walk-in tent sites.

The Best Camping in Maine

Whether you want to hike a rugged mountain peak, relax on a coastal beach, or find solitude on a remote lake, you can choose your own adventure with a camping trip in Maine.

Not only is Maine the largest of the New England states, but it’s also 90% forested, with more than 32,000 miles of rivers and streams, 14 mountains over 4,000 feet, and 3,478 miles of tidal shoreline.

Maine is an outdoor lover’s paradise, and camping is one of the best ways to explore this beautiful wilderness.

Here are some of our favorite spots for camping in Maine.

Cobscook Bay State Park in Dennysville, Maine

Best for: Quiet tent camping with dramatic tides, wildlife watching, and some of the most secluded coastal campsites in New England.

Located on the northern coast of Maine, not far from the Canadian border, Cobscook Bay State Park encompasses 888 acres on the shore of Cobscook Bay. Cobscook is the Maliseet-Passamaquoddy tribal word for “boiling tides.”

The tides of Cobscook Bay average 24 feet and can reach 28 feet in some situations. By contrast, the tides in the southern part of Maine’s coast average about 9 feet. 

This is a fabulous park for tide-pooling, paddling, clamming, and wildlife watching. The campground at Cobscook Bay State Park features 106 campsites, 106 of which are reservable and the rest non-reservable, nicely spread out and very private.

There are several waterfront sites and others that are perched on a cliff overlooking the water with no water access. Amenities include hot showers, a boat launch, a playground, and covered picnic pavilions. 

Campsites do not have hookups, but potable water faucets are available throughout the campground.

Hiking trails wind through the park and also connect to Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. Cobscook Bay State Park is considered a birding hotspot, with more than 200 bird species identified in the area. 

Plan Your Trip to Cobscook Bay State Park

Location: 40 South Edmunds Road, Dennysville, ME 04628
Cost: $20 tent/RV sites without hookups for Maine residents, $30 for non-residents
Open Season: May to October
Dogs: Dogs must be kept on a four-foot leash and not left unattended.
View a campground map

Schoodic Woods Campground in Acadia National Park in Winter Harbor, Maine

Best for: Tent campers who want Acadia National Park scenery without the crowds of Mount Desert Island.

Explore Acadia National Park without the throngs of people who flock to Mount Desert Island every summer. Schoodic Woods Campground is located on the Schoodic Peninsula near the town of Winter Harbor, about an hour’s drive (depending on traffic) from Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island.

With more than eight miles of hiking trails, another eight miles of bike paths, and gorgeous scenery in every direction, Schoodic Woods Campground makes a fantastic home base for exploring the less-visited parts of Acadia National Park.

Schoodic Woods Campground features 89 sites, including hike-in primitive sites, tent-only, and RV-only sites. Each campsite includes a fire ring and a picnic table. There are bathhouses with running water but no showers.

There is a six-mile one-way road that loops around the peninsula, providing lots of places to stop and take in the coastal scenery. For those that don’t want to drive a shuttle bus provides free transportation around the peninsula.

Plan Your Visit to Schoodic Woods Campground

Location: 54 Farview Drive, Winter Harbor, ME 04693
Cost: $22-$40, some with electric and water hookups
Open Season: May to October
Dogs: Dogs must be kept on a six-foot leash and not left unattended.
Make a reservation at Schoodic Woods Campground

Wolfe’s Neck Oceanfront Campground in Freeport, Maine

Best for: Car camping with ocean views, family-friendly amenities, and easy access to kayaking and biking.

If you’re looking for unique oceanfront camping in Maine, check out Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment, which maintains a gorgeous waterfront campground on their working dairy farm in Freeport, Maine.

Kayak and bike rentals are available, and you can also explore the demonstration gardens, barnyards, and hiking trails. 

Wolfe’s Neck features more than 600 campsites on the shores of Casco Bay in southern Maine. The camping areas are divided into three sections — the East Bay is best for RVs and campers who want amenities and conveniences close by.

Many of the sites have 30-amp electric and water hookups, plus the farm cafe, camp store, and shower building are nearby.

Middle Bay is exclusively for tent campers, with sweeping ocean views, a wooded setting, and a kayak launch nearby. There are no hookups, but you will have easy access to potable water and privies. 

West Bay is perfect for kids, with open campsites near a recreation field and playground, and with great views of the ocean and the farm fields.

Plan Your Trip to Wolfe’s Neck Oceanfront Campground

Location: 134 Burnett Road, Freeport, Maine 04032
Cost: $36 – $95 tent/RV sites, some with electric and water hookups
Open Season: May 1 to October 31
Dogs: Dogs must be leashed and not left unattended.
View a campground map

Sebago Lake State Park in Casco, Maine

Best for: Family camping and car camping near sandy beaches and one of Maine’s most popular lakes.

Covering 45 square miles, Sebago Lake is the second-largest lake in Maine. This massive glacial lake serves as a summer playground for residents of urban areas across Maine and beyond. Sebago Lake State Park is located at the northeast corner of the lake and includes gorgeous beaches, waterfront camping, and boat launches.

The 1,400 acres of public land in Sebago Lake State Park include not only the lakeshore but also miles of forested trails and numerous ponds, bogs, and rivers.

Pitch your tent or park your RV at one of 250 private campsites, and if you have the option, try for one of the coveted waterfront sites for the most privacy. This is one of the best camping in New England for families with kids!

Plan Your Trip to Sebago Lake State Park

Location: Naples, Maine
Cost: $25-$35 for Maine state residents, $35-$45 for non-residents.
Open Season: May to September
Dogs: Pets are not allowed at the campground or beach at Sebago Lake State Park.
View a campground map

The Best Camping in New Hampshire

With more than 1300 lakes and ponds, vast tracts of forest, and 48 peaks over 4,000 feet, New Hampshire is the perfect outdoor playground for active adventurers.

It’s true that there are lots of fantastic spots to go camping in New Hampshire, but we’re highlighting two of our favorites in the White Mountains — Franconia Notch and Crawford Notch. Both parks are popular with hikers, who come from all over to climb peaks in the White Mountain National Forest.

Franconia Notch State Park in Franconia, New Hampshire

Best for: Camping close to iconic White Mountain hikes, waterfalls, and classic New Hampshire scenery.

Cascading waterfalls. incredible hiking trails. Mind-blowing fall foliage. The White Mountains of New Hampshire are an outdoor lover’s playground in the summer and fall, and the best place to find all of this is in Franconia Notch State Park in Franconia and Lincoln, New Hampshire.

It’s also one of the most crowded parks in the state, so be sure to plan your trip far in advance. Highlights of Franconia Notch include the aerial tramway at Cannon Mountain, the famous Flume Gorge with its multitudes of waterfalls, and hiking trails for every type of outdoor enthusiast.

Franconia Notch State Park is located in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest and is very close to the 34.5-mile Kancamagus Highway. Be sure to drive this route! Start your drive early in the morning to miss most of the tourist traffic.

There are two campgrounds in Franconia Notch State Park – Lafayette Place has 97 wooded campsites with no hook-ups (available from May to mid-October) and Cannon Mountain RV Park has 7 year-round sites with hook-ups, with no water or sewer available after mid-October.

Plan Your Stay at Franconia Notch State Park

Location: 260 Tramway Drive, Franconia/Lincoln, NH 03580
Cost: $35 for tent/RV sites at Lafayette Place, $50 for RV sites at Cannon Mountain
Camping season: May to October
Dogs: No
Lafayette Place Campground Map

Dry River Campground in Crawford Notch State Park in Hart’s Location, New Hampshire

Best for: Tent campers and hikers seeking wooded sites, waterfall hikes, and a quieter mountain campground experience.

Explore 5,775 acres of wilderness from your primitive campsite at Dry River Campground in Crawford Notch State Park. This is a hiker’s paradise, but even if you don’t enjoy scaling mountains, you can enjoy several short hikes to many of the park’s gorgeous waterfalls.

The tallest waterfall in New Hampshire, Arethusa Falls, requires just a 1.4-mile, moderately steep hike, and Ripley Falls can be reached after just a half-mile of easy walking.

For a beautifully unique excursion into the mountains, hop aboard the Mountaineer with Conway Scenic Railroad. This five-hour trip travels through Crawford Notch and the Mount Washington Valley in 1950s-era passenger cars.

Dry River Campground has 36 wooded campsites, including several walk-in sites with elevated tent platforms. You will also find hot showers, flush toilets, and laundry facilities, plus fantastic views of Frankenstein Cliff and Trestle.

Plan Your Stay at Crawford Notch State Park

Location: 1464 US-302, Hart’s Location, NH 03812
Cost: $35 for tent/RV sites
Camping Season: May to October
Dogs: Yes, on-leash
Dry River Campground Map

The Best Camping in Vermont

My home state provides many amazing spots for camping in New England, but my favorite spots all have one thing in common — they provide easy access to beautiful ponds, lakes, and rivers for swimming, fishing, and paddling!

Here’s the best camping in Vermont for your next Green Mountain adventure!

Grout Pond in the Green Mountain National Forest in Stratton, Vermont

Best for: Scenic tent camping with walk-in and paddle-in sites, fall foliage, and a peaceful pond setting.

Grout Pond is nestled in the mountains of the Green Mountain National Forest and surrounded by beautiful hardwood trees that provide ample shade in the summer and put on a show each fall with their foliage display.

The Green Mountain National Forest is one of Vermont’s greatest treasures. It encompasses nearly 400,000 acres of rugged mountains, wild woodlands, and secret valleys in southwestern and central Vermont.

This magical place is within a day’s drive of 70 million people, and I count myself lucky to be a close neighbor to these vast lands.

Located in Stratton, Vermont, Grout Pond is a popular summer destination. Grout Pond Campground and day-use parking lot fill up on most days, and while it’s worth the trip for a swim in those clear waters, a fall trip is all about the colors and the solitude.

Of the 18 campsites available at Grout Pond, seven are near the road for car camping or RVs. Five more sites can only be reached on foot, and six sites can be hiked or paddled to.

We love site #2 for the awesome views and proximity to the water and toilet, but all the waterfront sites are pretty amazing. Site #11 is the last one on the trail, and is very private. The hike to the #11 is about a mile, and paddling your gear out makes things much easier.

The Grout Pond Campground is open year-round. Sites can be booked on Recreation.gov and are $16 per site. You can reserve a site up until October 31st. After that, it’s first-come, first-served.

Grout Pond is one of our favorite spots for fall camping in New England!

Plan your camping trip to Grout Pond

Location: 207 Grout Pond Rd, Stratton, VT 05360
Cost: $16 for tent/RV sites
Camping Season: May to October
Dogs: Yes
Grout Pond Campground and Trail Map

Burton Island State Park in St. Albans, Vermont

Best for: Unique boat-access-only camping with waterfront sites, island vibes, and a slower pace of life.

Burton Island is a 253-acre park just off the shores of St. Albans, Vermont, on the northern shores of Lake Champlain. It’s one of the most beautiful state parks in Vermont, especially in the summer when you spend all your time on the water!

You can only get to Burton Island by boat, and there are no cars on the island. The Island Runner, a Vermont State Park ferry, runs campers and day-trippers out to Burton Island several times a day through the summer.

If you have your own boat, Burton Island provides slips for overnight use, complete with hook-ups and your own fire pit.

Burton Island State Park has a variety of camping opportunities — from secluded, primitive sites and waterfront lean-tos, to brand-new cabins with beds and electricity. 

The small marina is the hub of the island, with free Wi-Fi and a lovely cafe and store called the Burton Island Bistro. The bistro provides campers with breakfast, lunch, and snacks, plus a nice selection of beer and wine.

Life is a bit slower on Burton Island. It’s the perfect place to hang the hammock, catch fireflies, and tell stories ‘round the campfire.

Plan Your Trip to Burton Island State Park

Location: 2714 Hathaway Point Rd, St. Albans Town, VT 05478
Cost: $20 for tent sites for Vermont residents, $38 for non-residents, and $30/$49 for lean-tos
Camping Season: Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day
Dogs: Yes, on-leash
Burton Island Campground Map
Reserve a campsite

Little River State Park in Waterbury, Vermont

Best for: Family-friendly camping with swimming beaches, interpretive programs, and wooded sites near classic Vermont villages.

Little River State Park is special for a few reasons. You’ve got a big shining lake tucked into the mountains and surrounded by lovely New England villages. You’ve got an area rich in history and natural diversity, and a beautiful park that caters to outdoor-loving families.

It’s the ultimate recipe for success.

The interpretive programs are all family-friendly and incredible. In fact, many of the participants I met during the programs had traveled from other parts of the state to take part.

The campground at Little River State Park is busy during the summer, but the sites are wooded and secluded, so you’ll still have plenty of privacy if that’s what you’re looking for. It’s a pretty big campground, with 81 tent/RV sites, 20 lean-tos, and five awesome camping cabins.

Campers can enjoy two beaches within the park. The “A” beach is gravelly and open, with spectacular mountain views, and the “B” beach is grassy, leading to a sandy-bottomed swimming area at the mouth of Stevenson Brook.

Location: 3444 Little River Rd., Waterbury, VT
Camping Season: Memorial Day weekend to mid-October
Cost: $20 for tent/RV sites for Vermont residents, $38 for non-residents, and $30/$49 for lean-tos
Dogs: Yes, on leash, but not on the beach
Campground Map
Park website

The Best Camping in Massachusetts

Camping in Massachusetts provides visitors with access to the state’s most beautiful natural areas.

From the seashores of Cape Cod to the mountains of the Berkshires, and every place in between, camping in Massachusetts is a fabulous way to get outside in all four seasons.

Some of our favorite spots to go camping in Massachusetts are actually on private land. As much as we love supporting state parks and public land, we struggle to afford camping in Massachusetts State Parks, which charges out-of-state residents will set you back between $54 and $93, which is two to three times what residents pay.

I am absolutely not opposed to paying more to camp as a non-resident, but I just can’t justify the state park fees in Massachusetts when there are so many gorgeous spots to camp affordably in the surrounding New England States.

If you are a Massachusetts resident or you are a non-resident and don’t mind the hefty cost, check out Nickerson State Park in Brewster, Mohawk Trail State Forest in Charlemont, or Myles Standish State Forest in Carver.

Otherwise, check out these amazing spots for camping in Massachusetts:

Dune’s Edge Campground in Provincetown, Cape Cod

Best for: Tent camping near the beach with access to Cape Cod National Seashore and the vibrant town of Provincetown.

Bordered by Cape Cod National Seashore in Provincetown, Dune’s Edge Campground is a wooded, coastal campground with a laid-back vibe, featuring 90 campsites, and five canvas bungalows. Managed by The Trustees, this 17-acre property provides a quiet respite in one of New England’s most popular vacation areas.

Make Dune’s Edge your home base, and explore some of Cape Cod’s finest beaches, freshwater ponds, hiking trails, and the artsy town of Provincetown for exceptional shopping and dining. Provincetown is within biking distance of Dune’s Edge, so we recommend bringing or renting bikes for this vacation!

Plan Your Visit to Dune’s Edge Campground

Location: Dune’s Edge Campground, Provincetown
Cost: $60-$80 for tent/RV sites
Camping Season: May to October
Dogs: Yes, on-leash
Dune’s Edge Campground Map

Prospect Mountain Campground in Granville, Massachusetts

Best for: Car camping and glamping-style stays in the Berkshires with ponds, pools, and mountain scenery.

Located at 1,350 feet in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, Prospect Mountain Campground puts you in the center of the rich cultural offerings and outdoor opportunities of the Berkshires.

With spacious, wooded sites, two ponds, and gorgeous mountain scenery, this is the perfect spot for a family camping vacation or a glamping getaway. Those who don’t want to sleep on the ground can reserve a cabin or cottage, and everyone can enjoy the two private ponds, the in-ground pool, and the wooded hiking trails.

Plan your trip to Prospect Mountain Campground

Location: 1349 Main Rd, Granville, MA 01034
Cost: $39 to $49 for tent/RV sites
Camping Season: Early May to mid-October
Dogs: Yes, must be vaccinated
Dry River Campground Map

The Best Camping in Connecticut

I found two beautiful coastal campgrounds in Connecticut, but I should warn you that these are not hidden gems.

If you love beach camping in New England, then these two campgrounds will provide plenty of sea breezes and salty air, but if you despise crowds, these Connecticut camping spots might not be for you.

Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, Connecticut

Best for: Oceanfront car camping steps from the beach, perfect for campers who love salt air and coastal walks.

Located on the Long Island Sound, Hammonasset Beach is two miles of sandy goodness that attracts over a million people every year. In addition to an expansive sandy beach, there is a ¾-mile boardwalk and numerous walking trails through the dunes and coastal forest.

The campground includes more than 550 sites just steps from the beach. Most sites don’t have hookups, but about 50 RV sites have electricity. There is a great nature center near the campground, and bikes can be rented.

While this is a busy campground throughout the summer, it’s great if you want to take advantage of oceanfront camping in Connecticut. 

Plan Your Visit to Hammonasset Beach State Park

Location: 288 Boston Post Rd., Madison, CT 06443
Cost: $20 – $35 a night for CT residents. $30 – $45 a night for non-CT residents
Camping Season: Early May to mid-October
Dogs: Not allowed
Hammonasset Beach Campground Map

Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic, Connecticut

Best for: Camping near the beach with easy access to swimming, shallow water, and family-friendly recreation.

While this isn’t a spot where you can camp right on the beach, Rocky Neck State Park is a popular campground that offers an expanse of sandy beach, warm, shallow water for swimming, and a diverse trail system for hiking and looking for wildlife.

The park includes 700 acres of diverse terrain, plus a ½-mile beach on the Long Island Sound.

The campground at Rocky Neck State Park is within walking distance of the beach and includes 160 campsites for tents and RVs.

There are wooded and open sites, none of which have hookups. Dogs are not permitted, but it’s a fabulous spot for camping near the ocean with kids.

Plan Your Visit to Rocky Neck State Park

Location: 228 W Main St, Niantic, CT 06357
Cost: $20 – $35 a night for CT residents. $30 – $45 a night for non-CT residents
Camping Season: Early May to mid-October
Dogs: Not allowed
Rocky Neck State Park Campground Map

The Best Camping in Rhode Island

While Rhode Island isn’t known for its camping, there are a couple of gems worth mentioning.

Charlestown Breachway State Park, Rhode Island

Best for: No-frills oceanfront RV camping with unbeatable views and excellent saltwater fishing.

The camping area at Charlestown Breachway State Park is basically a parking lot with pit toilets, but you can’t beat the location, with a nice beach with great views of Block Island Sound. The parking area has room for 75 RVs, with about 15 spots right on the ocean.

No amenities to speak of unless we include dumpsters, but the views make it worthwhile, as does the excellent saltwater fishing.

Learn more about Charlestown Breachway

Burlingame State Park in Charlestown, Rhode Island

Best for: Large, wooded camping near a freshwater pond with easy access to Rhode Island beaches.

Burlingame State Park has a huge campground with more than 700 campsites, but in October you’d never know it.

Located in Charlestown, Rhode Island, this sprawling park covers 3,100 acres surrounding Watchaug Pond. Enjoy a swim in the refreshing water, or rent canoes and kayaks for a small fee.

Right next door to Burlingame State Park, you’ll find the Kimball Wildlife Refuge, a lovely little preserve with a plethora of songbirds and nice hiking opportunities. The park is just a few miles from the Atlantic Coast, making it a great base camp for exploring the beaches.

Plan Your Trip to Burlingame State Park

Location: Route 1, Charlestown, Rhode Island 02813
Cost: $18 tent/RV sites without hookups for Rhode Island residents, $36 for non-residents
Camping season: April to October
Dogs: Dogs are allowed in the campground and on the trails, but not in day-use areas

The best camping in New England is all about gorgeous scenery, laid-back vibes, and lots of recreation. Make your next trip a camping vacation for a memorable outdoor getaway in New England!

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Get outside in New England! Check out these posts next!

• The Best Glamping in New England
• The Best Fall Camping in New England
• Oceanfront Camping in New England
• Winter Glamping in New England

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