Campgrounds near Chepachet, Rhode Island offer diverse camping experiences within the northwestern woods of the state, where elevations range from 400 to 800 feet above sea level. The area features a mix of hardwood forests, glacial lakes, and rocky terrain typical of New England's inland regions. Weather patterns include warm summers with occasional thunderstorms and cool, crisp evenings that can drop into the 50s even during summer months.
What to do
Hiking trails and length options: West Thompson Lake Campground provides multiple trail options for outdoor exploration. "There are plenty of hiking trails that we have yet to explore, but from the trail heads they look very well maintained," notes Cynthia K., who also mentions the "super friendly and helpful" park rangers at this Connecticut location just across the Rhode Island border.
Fishing opportunities: Sutton Falls Camping Area offers catch-and-release fishing on their mill pond. One visitor mentioned, "Kids had a blast with the boat rentals and fishing," and another appreciated "stunning views across the large pond" from their peninsula site.
Kayaking and canoeing: Water activities are popular at many area campgrounds. At West Thompson Lake Campground, campers report excellent paddling: "The lake and adjoining river offer hours of fun for small craft. Take a long paddle up the river and you'll be escorted by hundreds of bluebirds and cedar waxwings."
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds feature disc golf courses on their property. As one camper at West Thompson Lake mentioned, "We were able to see some boat races and played a round of disc golf on property." The course offers a challenging option for active recreation without leaving the campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Bowdish Lake Camping Area receives praise for spacious campsites. One seasonal camper notes, "Our site Blue 111 is spacious with lots of privacy." Another tent camper adds, "We're at site Red 24 and it's very secluded and flat... it appears that most of the sites are very private."
Clean facilities: While some campgrounds have varying bathroom quality, campers specifically praise certain locations. At Stateline Campresort & Cabins, reviews consistently mention cleanliness: "Very clean campground with a big pool and pond to fish at." Another visitor called it "Friendly clean" in their concise review.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers value the peaceful environment at smaller campgrounds. As one visitor to West Thompson Lake Campground stated, "This campground is very small and quiet," while another mentioned, "Once the boat races finished each day the camp was very quiet and peaceful."
Seasonal camping options: Several campgrounds offer seasonal sites for longer stays. At Bowdish Lake, a first-year seasonal camper reported, "We are first-year seasonal at Bowdish and have loved it. Even with Covid-related restrictions we have had a great year."
What you should know
Price variations: Campground costs can vary significantly in the region. At Stateline Campresort, one camper noted the value during off-season: "Clean bath house and restrooms, quiet despite there being a pretty full park. Overall not bad for the off season cost of $30."
Electrical concerns: Some campgrounds have reported electrical issues. At Holiday Acres Campground, one camper warned, "Be very careful when you hook into their power, make sure you have a surge protector!!! We learned the hard way after staying Memorial day weekend."
Road access: Certain campgrounds have tricky entrances or narrow roads. One camper at Circle CG Farm noted, "Roads are a little narrow which made backing in a little challenging. I had to use other sites to complete the back-in process."
Site features: Campsite amenities vary widely. At Sutton Falls, a camper described their experience: "We were delighted when we learned we had the little peninsula of site P1 all to ourselves. Stunning views across the large pond."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming: Normandy Farms Campground, though farther from Chepachet, offers exceptional swimming options. "They have an indoor and an outdoor pool. The restrooms are clean. I highly recommend staying here," notes one family who visited during Halloween celebrations.
Recreational activities: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Chepachet provide structured activities for children. At Normandy Farms, one camper describes, "It's the kind of place summer camping trip memories are made of. 4 pools, fishing pond, lodge, trivia night, soccer, baseball, softball and frisbee golf and so much more."
Camping with teens: For families with older children, look for campgrounds with varied recreation. One Circle CG visitor noted, "Shuffleboard was fun with the kids too," while acknowledging, "I did not see a playground and there was not a dedicated dog park if you are wondering."
Proximity to attractions: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Chepachet are strategically located near regional attractions. A visitor to Circle CG Farm reported, "We did Boston (caught the train), Salem, mystic seaport, Sturbridge village, plymouth rock, the Mayflower ship, and plymouth plantation spending no more than 1hr and 20 min at the most in the car!!!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV campers often note the importance of level sites. At Circle CG Farm Campground, one RVer mentioned, "I was on site 87 and was able to level on the first try," while another at Sutton Falls reported that "site 47 took a little leveling to get right."
Site spacing: The distance between RV sites varies by campground. One visitor to Circle CG Farm observed, "Also the sites are HUGE and it feels like I have plenty of room for my vehicle and travel trailer. Felt like a private oasis."
Cell signal considerations: Remote campgrounds may have connectivity challenges. A Sutton Falls camper reported, "Only problem was the cell signal. My wife works remotely and needs to be connected. Without our antenna we we only had 1 bar of both Verizon and AT&T. No signal at all on T-Mobile/Sprint."
Bridge clearance: Some campgrounds have potentially challenging access points. At Sutton Falls, one RV owner shared, "Theres a covered bridge that scared me a little due to size concerns but its quite tall and wide enough. Our rig is 11'9" to the top of the A/C and we had no issues."
