Green Gate Campground

The Great Outdoors

Camp in an RV near Exeter and make the short drive southwest to Kingston State Park, a 44-acre protected area in the town of Kingston. It centers around the Great Pond where you can swim and canoe, as well as boasting a playground, a softball field, and picnic pavilions. Kingston State Park connects to the Rock Rimmon State Forest and is just a stone’s throw from the Webster Wildlife & Natural Area where the waters of the Powwow Pond and Country Pond meet.Want to spend a day at the beach while camping at Green Gate Campground? Make the 25-minute drive east to Hampton Beach State Park, a 50-acre protected area along the Atlantic coast. It’s located where the Hampton River meets the Atlantic Ocean and is patrolled by lifeguards during the warmer months. Aside from swimming and relaxing on the sands, you can also go fishing or take advantage of one of the picnic pavilions. Just up the coast is the Hampton Salt Marsh Conservation Area, a sprawling coastal estuary that’s renowned for its birdwatching opportunities. Spot common terns and roseate terns that nest in the marshes, as well as a variety of gulls, cormorants, and herons.Drive 25 minutes in the other direction from your campsite at Green Gate Campground, and you’ll arrive at the Pawtuckaway State Park, which is one of the largest state parks in New Hampshire’s southeast region. It encompasses the Pawtuckaway Mountains, a rocky, circular range along the outline of an ancient volcanic ring dike that dates from 130–110 million years ago. Follow one of the hiking trails that lead to the summits of the North and South Pawtuckaway mountains or stroll to the waters of Pawtuckaway Lake, which is dotted with numerous islands that can be explored by boat, kayak, or canoe.

Exploring the Area

Green Gate Campground is a five-minute drive from the center of Exeter, which is home to numerous supermarkets where you can stock up on grocery supplies. There are also gas stations here if you need to fill up your RV rental and a great selection of restaurants, cafes, and bakeries where you can dine out.While you’re visiting Exeter, don’t miss a visit to the American Independence Museum, which occupies the historic Ladd-Gilman House and the 1775 Folsom Tavern. In 1991, a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence was found inside the Ladd-Gilman House and is now the centerpiece of the museum. Browse the Revolutionary-era artifacts that are on display in the period-furnished rooms, then step inside the beautifully restored Folsom Tavern where many political debates have taken place throughout history.Camping at Green Gate Campground is also a good base for visiting Portsmouth, a historic seaport and popular summer tourist destination along New Hampshire’s border with Maine. It’s home to numerous 17th and 18th-century houses that include the Strawbery Banke Museum where staff dressed in period costumes demonstrate traditional crafts in dozens of historical buildings. Also of note is the Portsmouth Athenaeum, a museum, library, and gallery that dates to the early 19th century.Want to stretch your legs? Head to the riverside trails of Prescott Park, which hosts music performances, theater shows, and big-screen movies during the summer months. Also not to miss is the USS Albacore, a former research submarine that’s renowned for its uniquely designed hull, enabling the vessel to move with incredible agility.Whether you want to relax on the beaches of the Atlantic coast or explore the sights of Exeter and Portsmouth, book an RV in Rockingham County and start planning your next vacation.