That’s the secret kick of camping in New England: You get access to some of the region’s prime beauty spots for next to nothing. A bonus: Camping tunes you into the slow pleasures of life, and aspects of nature that no city can deliver. David Babik of Natick, who has been camping with his family for more than 10 years, says, “Sharing a bright fire under a starry sky is a unique pleasure. It’s amazing how much more interesting the nighttime sky becomes when you are away from the lights and pollution of the city.”

As authors of the “Unofficial Guide to the Best RV Tent Campgrounds in the Northeast,” we have logged hundreds of nights of camping. Here are a few of our top picks. You will notice that we are partial to state park campgrounds, thanks to their alluring blend of natural beauty and outdoor fun. Commercial campgrounds offer more in the way of amenities, such as swimming pools, but they are usually more landscaped — and less wild.

MAINE

Camden Hills State Park

Camden

Oozing with yacht-y appeal, Camden’s iconic image is 800-foot Mount Battie and its sister hillocks, rising over a picture-perfect village and deep-blue Penobscot Bay. Camden is a day-tripper’s dream — and a bargain, if you are a camper. Sharing the state park with Mount Battie is a campground with 100-plus sites for tents and RVs. Some sites are wooded, some are open and grassy, but all are pretty. Sites 75M through 31M, on the far side of the property, are best for tent camping; 75M and 81M are true beauties.

Drive or hike to the summit of Mount Battie and climb 26 steps up the stone observation tower. The panoramic views of the bay, dotted with sailboats and gem-like islands, will make you feel like you are on top of the (very gorgeous) world. Look for the Edna St. Vincent Millay poem etched on a rock, inspired by this spot. Love to hike? You hit the jackpot here. There are 25 miles of trails, including the summit of Mount Megunticook (1,380 feet).

www.maine.gov/doc/parks, 207-236-3109, residents $15, nonresidents $25

Cathedral Pines, Eustis

A soft blanket of pine needles carpets the campsites here. Set in a forest of towering Norway (red) pines on the shores of Flagstaff Lake, this off-the-beaten-path beauty spot is located in the rural, western corner of the state — just 26 miles south of the Canadian border. True fact: This site was one of Benedict Arnold’s stops on his ill-fated march to Québec City in 1775.

The 300-acre campground offers 115 spacious, widely-spaced campsites set in loops. Site number 69, on the lake, is especially stunning. Sand-and-gravel sites are canopied by pines, with shrubbery offering a buffer for privacy.

Swim in the lake (campers have a private beach), go looking for moose, hike on the Appalachian Trail, go boating.

www.gopinescamping.com, 207-246-3491, lakefront tent sites $25

Lily Bay State Park, Greenville

Take New England’s largest lake, add a backdrop of mountains, a pine-dappled shoreline, and a sprinkling of moose, and you have Lily Bay State Park on Moosehead Lake. Add some waterfront campsites and you have camping nirvana. Sites are set along Dunn Point, which is good for families since it is close to the beach and a playground; and at Rowell Cove, with tent sites set close to the water. Fall asleep to the haunting cry of loons at night, and wake up to views that are beyond beautiful.

Rent a kayak from a local outfitter and paddle out to Sugar Island, and explore the nooks and crannies of this long, lovely lake. Hike up Mount Kineo, take a moose-watching safari with The Birches, and knock around the small shops in Greenville, 9 miles away.

www.maine.gov/doc/parks, 207-695-2700, residents $15, nonresidents $25

MASSACHUSETTS

DCR Savoy Mountain State Forest, Florida