Cabin accommodations near Ashaway, Rhode Island range from rustic structures to more elaborate units with added amenities. The camping season typically runs from April through mid-October, with most locations closed during winter months due to New England's colder temperatures. Availability varies significantly depending on the season, with summer weekends requiring advance reservations several months ahead.
What to do
Hiking trails nearby: Several areas offer hiking opportunities within a short drive. At Hopeville Pond State Park Campground, campers can explore multiple trails. "This park also has plenty of trails for hiking and geocaching. The pond has some really big fish, but it's heavily covered with lily pads and there are a lot of submerged trees," notes a visitor.
Water activities: Fishing and paddling opportunities exist at several locations. "From here, we paddled south to the end of the pond and up the Pachaug River, eventually reaching the dam at Pachaug Pond. It's an 8 mile paddle with some tricky spots to navigate, but very pretty!" explains one Hopeville Pond visitor.
Beach access: East Beach State Campground offers direct beach access with fewer crowds than commercial beaches. "Mostly less developed beach area, peaceful shoreline with essential amenities," states one camper. Note that this location requires a self-contained vehicle as there are limited facilities.
What campers like
Recreational amenities: Whispering Pines Campground offers numerous on-site activities for families. "The pool, splash pad, live music and activities for the kids were great!" reports one visitor. Several campgrounds maintain recreational facilities that operate seasonally.
Shaded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural setting at certain locations. At Nature's Campsites, visitors mention, "Typically it's very peaceful, you can have a nice fire and some drinks, or even party if you'd like and not usually hassled too much, lots of shaded woody sites." This contrasts with more open, field-style camping at other locations.
Seasonal differences: Visiting during shoulder seasons provides a different experience. "We stayed for 3 nights, the sites and camp were very clean and well maintained. Everyone was very friendly, lots of things to do - pool, bocce, volleyball, horseshoes, arcade, a small field to play frisbee or ball, mini-golf," notes a Whispering Pines camper.
What you should know
Site spacing variations: Campgrounds differ significantly in site proximity. At Burlingame State Park Campground, "Spacious - even with all those sites, there's plenty of room between sites and tons of open space for kids to run around, fly a kite, play tag, hide and seek." Other locations have much tighter spacing.
Bathroom facilities: Quality and cleanliness vary by location. "Bath houses - are usually pretty filthy, and that's because there are too many people per bath house, and people are gross," notes one Burlingame visitor, while at Nature's Campsites, campers report "Bathrooms are new and very clean."
Reservation windows: Book well in advance for prime weekends, especially at state parks. "This is a great family campground. Lots to do and it is massive! You can bike for ever and go to the lake! Camp store literally has anything you would need," advises a Burlingame visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Pool and water activities: Mystic KOA offers family-friendly water recreation options. "The pool is small and usually crowded, but still very well kept. And then there's mini golf, hay rides, and lots of fun planned activities," reports one visitor.
Playgrounds and games: Families should plan for outdoor activities. "Great for families or couples," notes a Burlingame State Park camper about the variety of recreational options available for different age groups.
Noise considerations: Family-oriented campgrounds can be quite active. "Noise / Parties / Drunks - again, too many sites means too many people and nowhere near enough park staff. On the weekends people can get out of hand with the partying and it's not uncommon to have to listen to noise late into the night," warns a Burlingame visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by campground. At Rocky Neck State Park Campground, "No hook-ups, lol. This is a con in the heat of the summer if you want/need AC," notes one camper explaining limitations at state park facilities.
Site leveling challenges: Many older campgrounds have uneven sites. "Hundreds of sites, some level some not, some dirt sites, some grassy, some with a ton of shade, some out in the open," reports a visitor at Burlingame State Park, highlighting the importance of leveling equipment.
Dump stations: Check availability before arrival as not all campgrounds offer this service. "There are two dumping spots each with two dumps," advises a Burlingame State Park camper. Some smaller cabin locations may have no dump facilities at all.
