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Summer is the perfect time to take a road trip through the American Northeast. Although this region is best known for its colorful fall foliage, summer is an ideal time to soak up comfortable temperatures and sunshine, check out local festivals, and pitch a tent in a campground. The best way to see the Northeast is by car, and the best way to really experience its natural beauty is by living in it — in the great outdoors! So when you and your family or friends decide to pack your bags and take this journey, skip the hotels and check out one of these great places to camp in the American Northeast.
Acadia National Park – Maine
Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, and there are two great campgrounds to choose from when you visit. If you’re looking to be closer to the largest town in the area, Bar Harbor, then stay at Blackwoods. Blackwoods is open year-around, but you do need a permit for the winter months. If you’re looking for more peace and quiet, consider pitching a tent at Seawall. Backcountry camping is only allowed in certain areas of the park. Tent camping fees in the park are between $10 and $22, depending on the site and season.
Baxter State Park – Maine
Baxter State Parks marks the end of the iconic Appalachian Trail that is famous for its long-distance hike up from Georgia. There are nearly a dozen campgrounds here, including backcountry sites. However, many sites are only available during specific dates of the year. Choose from cabins, bunkhouses, lean-to or tent sites, and be sure to leave no trace as this is a natural wilderness area. Be sure to check on vehicle entrance fees for the park too.
Woodford State Park – Woodford, Vermont
Woodford State Park is a great place for hikers to camp after exploring the George Aiken Wilderness Area and Green Mountain National Forest. There’s even a hiking trail that goes from this high elevation campground around the Adams Reservoir. There are 103 campsites at this state park, including 20 lean-tos that you can rent out. Other things to do in the area include the Norman Rockwell Museum in Arlington, the Bennington Museum and Monument, and the Park-McCullough Mansion.
Eighth Lake Campground – Inlet, New York
If you’ve never explored the state of New York beyond New York City, then you’re definitely missing out! Eighth Lake Campground is located in the Adirondacks and is an excellent place to try your hand at some fishing. The area is known for its trout fishing, and there are salmon ponds near the campground too. Campers love this spot because the campsites are large with lots of trees with canoeing, hiking, and bicycling opportunities are nearby. The Old Forge region and Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake are nearby too.
Lake George Escape – Lake George, New York
Another great campground in the Adirondacks of Upstate New York is Lake George Escape along the Schroon River waterfront. This is a massive campground with 575 sites for tents and RVs, as well as log cabins too. Nearby attractions for the kids include the Great Escape, Splashwater Kingdom, and Water Slide World.
Myles Standish State Forest – Massachusetts
Myles Standish was a military officer and adviser to the Pilgrims in the Plymouth Colony, and a state forest in Massachusetts is named after him. It’s located in southeastern Massachusetts, and the campsites here are located along more than a dozen ponds and throughout the forest. Campers can take advantage of 13 miles of hiking trails, 35 miles of horse trails, and 15 miles of paved biking trails during their stay.
Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort – Foxborough, Massachusetts
Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort is one of the best places to stay in the Northeast if you’re camping with kids. It’s conveniently located between Cape Cod and Boston and has tent, RV and yurt accommodations available. This facility really puts the “resort” vibe into “camping resort,” because it offers yoga classes and even massages onsite. There’s also a disc golf course, fitness center, dog park, laundry facilities, shuffleboard, soccer field, basketball and volleyball courts, four pools, and softball fields here. The New England Patriots’ Gillette Stadium and the Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park are nearby.
Glen Ellis Family Campground – Glen, New Hampshire
This is a great place to spend time in the beautiful White Mountains and along the Saco River and the Ellis River. There are over 200 campsites here, as well as a camp store, laundry facilities, arcade, and ice cream shop. Tubing, volleyball, and tennis are popular activities here, and the best hiking routes go along the Presidential range.
White Mountain National Forest – New Hampshire
The White Mountains of New Hampshire offer a truly rustic experience for travelers looking to get away from the hustle of daily life and enjoy the serenity of nature. There are developed campgrounds and backcountry camping areas here, and a couple campgrounds are even open throughout the winter. Dolly Copp Campground is the largest and located near the base of Mount Washington.
Delaware Seashore State Park – Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
With the Atlantic Ocean on the east side and Rehoboth Bay and the Indian River Bay on the west side, Delaware Seashore State Park is another great place to camp in the Northeast. This is a 2,825-acre park that has two ocean areas for swimming. The campground is near the town of Dewey Beach and has 37 tent camping sites and 143 RV camping sites with hookups. Some of the popular activities to do in the area include crabbing, clamming, surfing, sunbathing, sailboarding, and lounging along the beach.
George Washington Management Area – Glocester, Rhode Island
Rhode Island might be a tiny state, but it has some big camping opportunities worth checking out. The George Washington Management Area has 45 multi-purpose campsites for tents and RVs, and this is a primitive camping area for Northeastern travelers who want to “rough it” a bit. Campers can get water from the spigots around the campground, but there are no electric hookups or flush toilets. You can reserve a site between April and October and go hiking, kayaking, fishing, and biking while staying here.
