Recompence Shore
One of the best seaside campgrounds anywhere, this shoreline site is part of the Wolfe’s Neck Farm foundation. An eco-friendly, casual campground with 646 acres of tidal shorefront on Casco Bay, this area caters to tenters, although a few sites have hookups. Bicycles and kayaks are available for rent.
Recompence Shore, 134 Burnett Road, Freeport, ME, USA, +1 207 865 9307
Recompence Campground | © Courtesy of Recompence Campground
Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve
Wilderness camping at its finest, watch wildlife or wade in the waters at this 6,000-acre preserve on Mooselookmeguntic Lake in Rangeley. Swimming and paddling abound at the wooded campground, which features 67 mainland and island tent-only sites, each with picnic tables, fireplaces, and toilets.
Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve, 373 Stephens Road, Oquossoc, ME, USA, +1 207 864 2003
Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land
Solitude. Cutler, the heart of Maine’s Bold Coast, is known for its miles of deserted, pine-carpeted rocky shores. Campers along here can pick between three permitted sites, which are reachable after a four- to five-mile hike. The sites are located near Fairy Head along the Coastal Trail, along a 12,234-acre expanse of blueberry barrens, woodlands, and peatlands, with views of Grand Mahan Island and the Bay of Fundy. Be aware that no campfires are allowed.
Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land, Maine 191, Cutler, ME, USA, + 1 207 941 4412
Northern Waters Outfitters
Set near the untamed splendor of Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, Northern Waters Outfitters offers canoe trips and tent sets along two wild rivers. While the weather holds, the outfitters will take on canoeing, whitewater kayaking, and fishing trips, while hiking and snowshoeing dominate the winter activities.
Northern Waters Outfitters, 29 Upton Rd, Errol, NH, USA, + 1 603 482 3817
George Washington Memorial Camping Area
This primitive overnight campground, located on the shores of the Bowdish Reservoir, is never-crowded, but offers 45 tent sites over 100 wooded acres. The quiet, laid-back atmosphere extends to the beach but kayakers and canoeists are welcome.
George Washington Memorial Camping Area, 2185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI, USA, +1 401 568 6700
Smugglers’ Notch State Park
Wedged in a cleft between 1,000-foot cliffs in the Green Mountains, Vermont’s Smugglers’ Notch State Park is one of the state’s most popular campsites. Don’t let the scenic highway and daytrippers strolling to the spectacular Bingham Falls fool you: the campsite offers 20 overnight spots, three-quarters of which are lean-to sites. The Long Trail crosses the road here, and other trails wind to the summit at Sterling Pond, one of the state’s highest.
Smugglers’ Notch State Park, 6443 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT, USA, + 1 802 253 4014
Riga Lean-to Campsite
Itching to be alone? This Appalachian Trail lean-to shelter is set in an old growth Hemlock grove along a high plateau overlooking a valley bordering Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. Available by reservation only, the site can hold six people inside the cabin and another four on the platform. In June the mountain laurel bloom is spectacular and the site booked by through hikers. A nearby pump well and stream will provide water.
Riga Lean-To, Bear Mountain, Salisbury, CT, USA, +1 866 576 6994
Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground
As though quaint charm and miles of secluded, idyllic beaches weren’t enough, this is the only campground on Martha’s Vineyard and caters to tenters and motorhomes alike. The campground has full amenities, and a few one- and two-bedroom cabins are available to rent. Cycle along 75 miles of sun-splashed paths (there are rentals), take the car on a bucolic drive, or island-hop on the ferry.
Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground, 569 Edgartown Road, Vineyard Haven, MA, USA, + 1 508 693 3772
Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground
Orchard or woods, tent campers are in paradise at this private spot in the Berkshires. Hikers are spoiled with 50 miles of trails, including a 3.5-mile roundtrip to the top of Tannery Falls. Dogs are allowed, and if you want a solid footing beneath your back at night there are cabins for rent.
Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground, 260 Central Shaft Road, Florida, MA, USA, + 1 413 663 8469
Woods Island State Park
Stay on your own island. This is where everything disappears and you can really get away (so leave your phone, or at least take a good Instagram shot). One mile long and a quarter-mile wide, the 125-acre Woods Island in Lake Champlain has five private campsites spread out along the shore. There’s no ferry service to the island, so visitors have to make their own arrangements or hire from two local water taxi providers (note, there are no docks either). Facilities are minimal, and bring water. Camping by reservation only.