Hampton Beach State Park, New Hampshire
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Although your RV road trip through New Hampshire might focus on beautiful forests and mountains, a visit to its small, but mighty Atlantic coast is a must. Hampton Beach State Park is 50 acres of excellent New Hampshire beach fun for the whole family and a great way to honor a true summer vacation. In addition to the natural beauty of the park, the Hampton Beach area is packed full of modern amenities and entertainment options, making it a great destination for any camper.
During the early 1900s, the Hampton Beach area gained a foothold as the ultimate summer playground for New Englanders, with a major focus on the boardwalk and casinos. Today, the park can serve as a nature-based respite from the excitement of the still bustling tourist center. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll among the sand dunes or an action-packed day of fishing, it’s easy to enjoy a visit to Hampton Beach State Park at your own pace.
After hiking around the mountains and woods of New Hampshire, taking a dip along its coast will be a welcome reprieve from the summer heat. Swimmers will be happy to know that the water at Hampton Beach received a five-star rating for vacation beach quality by the National Resources Defense Council. Parents can also feel at ease with the lifeguard stations strategically placed along the beach.
If you are looking for a more serene and quiet swimming experience, stick to the southern end of the beach. Conveniently, this is immediately adjacent to the park’s RV campground. Down here, you’ll be away from the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk. If you’re seeking the hustle and bustle, head to the northern area where you’ll be able to interact with many other beach goers and will also be within walking distance of plenty of ice cream and delicious fried foods.
Hampton Beach State Park is located right at the junction between the Hampton River and the Atlantic Ocean. This makes it an excellent location for sportfishing. For optimal success, position yourself along the inlet near the RV campground at the park’s southern end. Anglers typically target striped bass, bluefish, and flounder when fishing at Hampton Beach State Park.
If you’d like to get out on the water, the park is not far at all from charter options. At the docks right outside the southern entrance, you’ll find a bunch of options with knowledgeable local captains. If you go this route, the pros know exactly where to take you for the best fishing in the area.
You might be lucky to spot the endangered Piping Plover as you walk along the beach. These small birds are at serious risk for extinction. In the past 22 years, only 184 chicks have survived along the New Hampshire coast. In the spring, their nesting grounds are protected along the beach so be sure to do your part and keep your distance as you pass by.
As you lay on the beach, you can also enjoy watching the seabirds dance in the wind above the waves. A variety of gulls and pelicans frequent the area and are great natural entertainment as you soak up the sun. Keep a close eye on your snacks, though. Seagulls are notorious french fry thieves.
In the summer months, most visitors congregate at the Seashell Stage for some night time entertainment. Just about every night, a different band is featured, and you’ll hear everything from the 50s to current hits. Put on your dancing shoes and get grooving with your fellow beachgoers. How much are the tickets to these shows? Guess what, they’re free! You’ll also have an option for an early (7-8 p.m.) or late (8:30-9:30) show, offering flexibility for your evening itinerary.
One of the biggest draws for RV campers to Hampton Beach State Park is that they’re able to camp right on the water. Oceanside RV camping is a rare treat and the park itself has the only one in the state. There are only 28 sites, however, so reserve your spot early.
Enjoy the ocean breeze and endless horizon over a campfire in your onsite fire ring. Take advantage of the fact that you’re already at the best fishing spot in the park. Prepare a nice meal for a unique oceanside dinner. There’s a ton to appreciate about this rare camping opportunity and you’ll be glad you tried it.
If you don’t want to miss a second of the sun and sand, stay right on the beach at Hampton Beach State Park. There are only 28 RV campsites at the park’s campground so make sure to reserve your spot well in advance. These sites are quite large and can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length. Conveniently, about half of these sites provide full hookup access while the rest are water and electric only. Bathhouses, restrooms, and a dump station are also on site.
Since Hampton Beach State Park is near the southern border of New Hampshire, some of the closer camping options are actually over the border in Massachusetts. Beach Rose RV Park is just five miles to the south and is a fantastic camping option for your group. Featuring 50 full hookup sites, the park covers all of your needs with bathhouses, a laundry facility, propane service, and Wi-Fi. The game room, heated pool, and outdoor recreation activities are great entertainment as well. If you’d like to grab a bite to eat, the park is about a mile from a bustling boardwalk.
For a more woodsy option, head up to Green Gate Camping Area in Exeter (12 miles). Nestled in an evergreen forest, your large pull-through site will have full hookup capability. For your convenience, all guests have access to free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and the well-stocked camp store. During your down time, have a blast at the park pool or game room. Downtown Exeter is also a great place to grab dinner.
Just nine miles to the northwest, Wakeda Campground is a nicely wooded RV campground with a ‘mom and pop’ feel. If you are looking for more seclusion, go for one of the campground’s back-in sites. Pull-through sites are situated more in the open. For service, you can select either full hookup or water and electric only access. Additional amenities include Wi-Fi, a camp store (with plenty of ingredients for s’mores), mini-golf, a playground, and a basketball court.
In North Hampton, seven miles to the north, the Sea Coast Camping and RV Resort is a quaint campground that is still close to the action. Organizationally, the campground is fairly open and has a general greenspace feel to it. Full hookup service is available, if you wish, with up to 50-amp electrical service. Amenities include bathhouses, a game room, a playground, and a camp store. A doughnut shop and brewery are both just across the road so both the kids and parents can enjoy a tasty treat.
Unfortunately, there are no dining options within the park itself. There are plenty of awesome picnic spots along the beach or at the pavilion, but you’ll either have to make your own meals or get your food to go.
The town of Hampton Beach, immediately north of the park’s border and within walking distance, is jam-packed with restaurants all the way up the coast. Most of these options are quite casual and family friendly. Boardwalk food (think ice cream, fish and chips, fries, pizza, hot dogs, donuts, fried dough, Italian sausages, slushies, etc.) is available all along the coast for a quick bite.
For more upscale and diverse options, consider heading north to Portsmouth (17 miles) for fresh seafood, Mediterranean, and Spanish options. For steakhouses and more fresh seafood, you may also head south into Newburyport, Massachusetts (9 miles).
No matter where you stay, the sun and surf at Hampton Beach State Park will be a fun twist to your RV road trip through New Hampshire.