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Best Tent Camping near Chepachet, RI

709 Reviews

Tent campsites near Chepachet, Rhode Island include several established options within a short drive of town. Buck Hill Campground offers a rural, no-frills tent camping experience along Wakefield Pond, while Arcadia Management Area provides multiple tent camping locations including the Backpack Camping Area and Frosty Hollow Camping Area. These natural settings provide alternatives to more developed campgrounds while remaining accessible for weekend trips.

Most tent camping areas near Chepachet have minimal amenities. Buck Hill Campground features large camping clusters that can accommodate multiple tents, with some sites offering covered patio areas with electricity. Water's Edge Campground in nearby Coventry provides drive-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings. The terrain typically consists of wooded areas with natural, ungraded surfaces. Campers should bring their own water supplies, as drinking water is limited at many primitive sites. Toilet facilities vary from basic restrooms to porta-potties or may be entirely absent at more remote locations.

The tent camping experience in this region emphasizes natural surroundings and quiet recreation. At Buck Hill Campground, "the area is heavily wooded without much else around and very few amenities," according to one visitor who noted that the campground is "the type of place to just come and unwind, fish, cook, etc." Many sites offer waterfront access, with Buck Hill providing opportunities for swimming and paddling on Wakefield Pond. Tent campers can enjoy fishing, hiking, and exploring the surrounding forest. The Arcadia Management Area encompasses over 14,000 acres of backcountry terrain with multiple primitive tent camping options. These sites tend to be less crowded than commercial campgrounds, offering a more secluded experience for backcountry tent camping enthusiasts seeking alternatives to conventional campgrounds.

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Best Tent Sites Near Chepachet, Rhode Island (9)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Chepachet, RI

22 Photos of 9 Chepachet Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Chepachet, RI

709 Reviews of 9 Chepachet Campgrounds

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2020

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    Huge campground, not many level sites.

    I've never camped in Rhode Island, so I was curious to see what a state park campground had to offer. Rates are reasonable for state residents, but quite high if you are out-of-state, given the amenities. There are no hookups, but dump stations are available. Bathrooms have flush toilets and coin-operated showers. There's a small beach at the pond, a boat ramp, and proximity to wildlife refuges and the ocean. It's a HUGE campground, with 700 sites and 20 cabins. Canoes are available to rent.

    There's a nice playground, a camp store, and a naturalists cabin. Trails are available for hiking and biking. The beach is sandy and there's a small parking lot there, but I suspect most people walk to it. No alcohol allowed. 

    I didn't see more than a handful of level sites, with varying degrees of slope, but many are quite large. If you have an RV, plan to level; if you have a tent, be sure to bring good mattresses to protect you from the roots and rocks and orient your head to the uphill side. Most of the sites have some degree of visual separation from their neighbors, but there are places where it's hard to tell where one site ends and the next one starts. Site have fire rings and picnic tables, but if you plan to cook over the fire, bring your own grate or plan to use sticks and/or aluminum foil. 

    If you don't have a tent, consider reserving one of their rustic cabins. These offer two sets of bunks (no mattresses) and a small porch with a picnic table and fire ring outside. Some are located along the pond.

    3-4 bar cell phone coverage. No road traffic. East Beach is nearby, but parking fills early.

  • Ryan A.
    May. 15, 2024

    George Washington State Campground

    An OK Campground but not Great

    Camped out here for two nights after reading about this place in the"Best Tent Camping: New England" book. It's better than the other campgrounds in Rhode Island that I looked at (Burlingame, Fort Getty) but isn't my favorite campground. If you're not a Rhode Island resident the fee for most sites is$36/night. Is it worth it? Eh, probably not unless you're really jonesing to camp for a weekend in the Ocean State. 

    It does have some great things going for it, namely the hiking trails and views of the lake. There are some tent-only sites which are numbered T1-T5. I stayed in T5 and it was the best of the bunch because it had the most privacy and space, including a grassy area. The other tent-only sites were fairly small and if you go to any mixed use sites you run the risk of having an RV next to you. The A1-A7 sites are remote and hike in, but you're going to have to hike either 0.4 or 0.6 miles through some uneven terrain. The next best group of sites would be 19-24 which are on their own small loop near the lake. 

    The things I didn't like were the streetlights over the port-a-potties that shine all night. There is a manned gate where you check in and you have to get let into the campground during the day, but at night the gates are wide open and it seems like some people know this because there are a few oddballs around in the early morning. There is swimming at the lake but it looked way too dirty. 

    Overall the place was managed very well, the sites were cleanish and the grounds were taken care of. The employees drove by at least once an hour, I thought they were collecting trash from dumpsters but the only place with a dumpster is near the entrance. I couldn't figure out why they kept driving by so often. I had a good time, it was relaxing and scratched the camping itch.

  • K
    Aug. 20, 2022

    Fort Getty Campground

    No shade no rule enforcement. Great place for a big group to party if that’s what you want.

    Loud campers in large groups.

    Rules regarding quiet hours, no generators, number of tents per site and late arrival and setups were not enforced.

    People next to us crammed 8 tents on 3 sites. I counted a group of at least 20.

    There is no privacy, people were constantly walking through our site and stepping over our tent guy lines.

    People partied until 2:00am and woke up at 5:30am shining headlights and idling cars.

    Bathrooms were dirty, sites boundaries not marked and crammed together. No shade.

    Beautiful location, rangers were nice.

    RV folks were surly, seemed like a lot of them stay there for the entire season. One said hi, the rest stared when we drove by.

    We booked and paid for two nights and left first thing after just one night.

  • Laura M.
    Aug. 25, 2018

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    Nice campground

    Super large sites, store is adequately stocked, nice lake/pond. I came here because of the location. Super close to the beach. This is a state park, no alcohol is allowed, quiet time strictly enforced. Nice family campground. No hookups.

  • Ryan A.
    May. 21, 2024

    Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground

    Good Location for Hiking, Lots of Garbage, Not Recommended

    Camped here on a Friday night in Site 16, yet another campground recommended in“Best Tent Camping: New England.” Overall I was not impressed. The campsites are right next to each other and are marked with posts. The sites are so close that the posts are marked with the site number on both sides which tells me that there has been confusion in the past.

    The sites along the creek mostly have worn paths to walk to it but it’s nothing impressive and I wouldn’t want to eat fish that came out of it. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, some have the kind where the top flips over and others have the moveable grate that goes up and down. There is a large dumpster in the campground and several porta-potties. The old outhouses have been permanently closed and locked shut. My campsite had a lot of trash in it, old tent stakes, plastic bottle caps, plastic fork, broken glass, etc. Not good.

    Some of the people there were camping in a group and were blasting music. I didn’t see a single park ranger the entire night so I’m not sure how often they police it. Someone in a pickup truck came into the campground, did a u-turn, and sped out at 30 mph which was really annoying and unsafe.

    Across the street from the campground is a trail to Chapman Falls, which will take less than 10 minutes to hike to, but it’s a pretty waterfall despite all the foam and garbage around it.

    This is a pretty basic campground and is nothing special. Out of all the sites I think 22 looked the best, it is more isolated and you can hear the waterfalls from it, which would be relaxing. The downside is that it’s right next to the entrance and road so you’ll get car headlights at night.

    I woke in the morning to a gray sky and hundreds of birds singing– it was my favorite part of the trip. I delayed getting up to enjoy the moment. I also didn’t see any ticks but I’m sure there are plenty based on other reviews.

    I’ve always thought that if states were condiments Connecticut would be mayonnaise– relatively unremarkable and bland. This campground fits that description perfectly.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2024

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    HUGE state park

    General: HUGE state park with over 700 sites. It does not fully open for the season until May 1 and when we were there in mid-April, only two sections, Fish Camp and Mills Camp were open. The Ranger station is staffed 24 hours a day, with a ranger on site until 11 pm. You need to show your pass to get inside the gate leading to the campsites. There are no hookups in any site (as far as I could tell). Sites are designated for tents, small trailers, large trailers, and RVs. As with other RI state parks, non-residents pay double the price of residents which kind of ticks me off (I don't mind a nominal upcharge but double is excessive IMO).

    Site Quality: The site numbers throughout the park are painted on rocks but the sites themselves are not very clearly defined. There is no designated camping pad. Our site (114) had a water view but was not level. It was large enough for us to park horizontally and make it work for one night. Some sites had excessive roots and also were not level. Some picnic tables have been replaced with new ones, but others badly need it.

    Bath/Shower house: The one in Fish Camp was adequate and clean. There is hot water, but you need to run it for a while before you get any. There was no garbage receptacle, and the toilet paper is so thin, that you can see through it. Showers are $.75 to get it started for the first three minutes. After that, the amount per minute increases to $1, $1.25, $1.50, and so forth. Machines take up to 22 quarters. There is a change machine at the Ranger Station. I did not use the shower so I cannot comment on how well they work. 

    Activities/Amenities: There is a camp store that offers wood, ice, coffee, basic groceries, propane, and canoe rentals. It was open with limited hours during our stay. Fishing, boating, swimming - all in season. Even though the park was only about 10% occupied, there was a strong Ranger presence. He circled our small loop three times just before check-out time and wanted to make sure we were leaving not a minute past the designated time. 

    This was just an overnight stay for us in a convenient location but there is no way I would stay at the height of the season!

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2019

    Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground

    Not the bargain it used to be!

    I read the reviews and was excited to be in a state park near the water for such a reasonable price. Imagine my surprise when we found out that a water/electric site for an out of state camper was $45 per night! This was our first visit to a Rhode Island State Park so not sure if they are all like this but this one definitely caters to Rhode Island residents who camp in large RVs! The sites with the best views are the full hookups (water/electric/sewer) and the rates for out of state campers are significantly more than for residents. I’m used to paying $5 or even $10 more for being from out of state but here the fee is double or more for out-of-state campers. Geez– way to make us feel welcome! 

    There are four areas, and each has advantages and disadvantages. Area One has the best views and full hookups but there is no bathhouse; Area Two also has full hookups, no view and some of the sites (55-65) are decidedly not level; Area Three is for tents only with no hookups but is close to the bathhouse; Area Four has water and electric hookups, the pads are not paved (as in the others) but most of the sites have more separation than in the other sections. See the photo below to understand the different areas. 

    No matter where you camp, there are noise issues. Road noise continued throughout the night and there is a wind turbine on the property. I’ve never been this close to one and yes, there is noise, although the road noise bothered me more. Alcohol is prohibited throughout the campground. There are pay showers available. There are the remains of two bunkers but other than walking by them, you cannot go inside. One (in Area One) is a grassy knoll with stairs to a lookout. 

    On the plus side: The bathrooms were clean, there is excellent cell service, Judith Point lighthouse is nearby, it is close to the ferry to Block Island, and there are numerous recreation options available (playground, tennis courts, volleyball net, and basketball courts). Also, the grouchy staffer I read about in reviews was not there the night we arrived and, in fact, the two staffers were very friendly and even recommended a good restaurant in the nearby town.

  • D
    Jun. 7, 2019

    Green Falls Campground

    Small but cozy

    Great off the beaten path place to camp. Sites are large but close together. Each contain a rock built fire ring. There are toilets but no showers. Good parking for camper but limited for guests. Reservations are required in advance. Stones throw to beach/pond area

  • Brad B.
    Jul. 28, 2021

    Newport RV Park

    Excellent Location & Clean Facilities !

    Excellent location for exploring the cites and beaches of Rhode Island! Call ahead to check on shade versus full sun sites if that’s important and take note of grass and course gravel pad material as well. The main campground is on a slope, so be prepared for some leveling requirements, especially sites #216 and #217 (front to back). Also, our site #215 was at the bottom of the hill, so it was a bit mucky. This site also sloped down on both sides of the pad significantly reducing the usable footprint of the area. Otherwise a perfect experience with friendly hosts, clean facilities and centrally located!

Guide to Chepachet

Primitive tent camping options surround Chepachet, Rhode Island within a 20-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 450 feet above sea level with dense deciduous forest coverage and numerous small ponds and waterways. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during day with cooler nights in the 50-60°F range, while spring and fall camping requires preparation for temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Water's Edge Campground in Coventry provides drive-in tent sites near fishing spots. The campground offers "boat-in, drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in" access options, making it versatile for anglers wanting different fishing locations.

Historical exploration: Tent campers near Chepachet can visit the Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground where visitors report exploring "all kinds of bunkers and a brick house" on Lovells Island. Another camper noted they "found handfuls of blackberries as we explored Peddocks" Island, combining foraging with historical sites.

Swimming locations: Multiple camping areas offer swimming access beyond those mentioned previously. At Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, one camper reported "we took the Ferry out of Hingam" noting the islands offer "great amenities, swimming, fishing, great family adventure."

What campers like

Sunset viewing: At Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground, campers appreciate "sitting on the beach watching the sun set over Boston was awesome and made everything entirely worth it" despite the logistics of reaching the islands.

Secluded atmosphere: Many tent sites provide isolation from crowds. A visitor described camping at Lovells Island and choosing "a smaller but more secluded spot" when their original site was unavailable, highlighting the flexibility and privacy options.

Night sky viewing: Clear skies away from urban light pollution create stargazing opportunities. While some campgrounds can "get noisy at night" according to one Boston Harbor Islands camper, the minimal light pollution provides excellent astronomy viewing compared to staying closer to Providence or Boston.

What you should know

Transportation logistics: For certain destinations like Boston Harbor Islands, complex transportation is required. As one camper explained, "We live in Boston and took all of our gear on the T to the harbor by the aquarium. We then took the ferry to Georges Island. After that we waited and got on a much smaller island to Lovells."

Reservation timing: Book well in advance for peak season. A camper at Boston Harbor Islands noted "these sites book quickly, so you should try to book 7 months to the day in advance." Similarly, weekends at Buck Hill Campground fill early during summer months.

Water supply planning: Most primitive tent sites require bringing your own water. One Boston Harbor Islands camper advised "make sure that you bring enough drinking water" since many tent sites have limited or no water access, particularly important during summer heat waves when dehydration risks increase.

Tips for camping with families

DIY cooking solutions: When facilities are minimal, improvise. One family at Boston Harbor Islands shared, "We ended up making a fire pit on the beach and a flat rock 'grill' to make our burgers" when their site had no designated grill, showing adaptability with children.

Island adventure planning: For families seeking unique experiences, "Just getting to the island is a fun adventure. The island is beautiful and has an old fort to explore as well as a lot of Rocky shoreline and trails. You can build bon fires and see gorgeous sunsets."

Inter-island exploration: When camping near water bodies, take advantage of multiple locations. "During the day you can take small ferries to a variety of other islands to go swimming or explore. This is a great adventure for kids," noted a family camping at Peddocks Island.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV access: Most tent camping areas near Chepachet have minimal or no RV accommodations. At Arcadia Backpack Camping Area, the focus is primarily on tent camping despite "drive-in" access being available, with RVs generally restricted to designated areas only.

Seasonal considerations: Plan camping trips according to operating schedules. Frontier Family Camper Park operates from "May 1 to September 30," making it unavailable during colder months when other tent camping locations may still permit access.

Site preparation requirements: With natural, uneven terrain throughout the region's campgrounds, tent platforms or additional ground padding are recommended. Elevated sites help prevent water pooling during rain, particularly important for extended stays during spring's unpredictable weather patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Chepachet, RI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Chepachet, RI is Buck Hill Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

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