146 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Lincoln, Rhode Island range from developed facilities to more rustic options within a 30-mile radius. George Washington State Campground in Chepachet offers tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations with electric hookups and shower facilities. Normandy Farms Campground in Foxborough, Massachusetts provides a more resort-style experience with 400 sites including tent, RV, cabin, yurt, and glamping options. Most campgrounds in the region are established facilities rather than dispersed camping areas, with many offering water and electric hookups for RVs alongside traditional tent sites.
Camping in the Lincoln area follows seasonal patterns with most campgrounds operating from mid-April through October or November. A camper noted, "George Washington State Campground is located near 2185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814. It's by Bowdish Lake, near the Connecticut border. This is a cool area of Rhode Island that I enjoyed getting the chance to explore." Many campgrounds charge significantly higher rates for out-of-state visitors, with price differences sometimes doubling for non-residents. Cell phone coverage varies but generally remains adequate with 3-4 bars reported at most developed sites. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly.
The mixed-use nature of campgrounds in the region means most accommodate both tent and RV camping, though site selection matters significantly for tent campers seeking level ground. Several visitors mentioned the proximity to water as a key feature, with Bowdish Lake and other ponds providing fishing and paddling opportunities. A review highlighted that "The lake access is excellent, obviously. Pay showers of varying degrees of cleanliness. Open to tents, but clearly preferred by the RV crowd." Campgrounds like Holiday Acres and Newport RV Park remain open year-round, though amenities may be limited in winter months. The region's campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring coastal Rhode Island attractions, with Newport and Block Island accessible as day trips from many locations.
"The staff was positive and helpful and that made a difference for me. I traditionally dry camp or go for semi hooked up on purpose, I just like the quieter camping."
"Driving around this place is definitely not a typical campground but more of a luxury camp because of all of the amenities. That being said it was very nice and felt safe."
from $50 - $200 / night
Check Availability"So if you are confused about things like location, let’s knock that out first: This campground is located near 2185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814."
"The campground was safe, nicely laid out so we could have a series of sites next to one another. Biking was a blast for the kids along with trail hike around pond, beach, and fishing."
from $18 - $75 / night
Check Availability"The swimming area has a 'icky bottom' (kid term :)) The entrance / office setup is confusing."
from $35 - $65 / night
Check Availability"Im guessing these sites will be considered "close" to "moderately close" by other site standards but it housed my 24ft trailer, truck, and my family just fine. Roads are a little narrow which made"
"Everything you need 100% Everything clean 100% EASY Access to all attractions 100% We did Boston (caught the train), Salem, mystic seaport, Sturbridge village, plymouth rock, the Mayflower ship, and plymouth"
from $45 - $75 / night
Check Availability"This place is pretty awesome if you’re looking to see a show at the nearby Comcast center."
from $42 - $58 / night
Check Availability"The manager came up and they assigned me to a site next to the frog pond, but with our little kids I was t too keen on staying literally on the pond."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Other than the bees, it was peaceful, and nobody bothered you. i would recommend lots of bee spray and a screen house, but hopefully it was an isolation situation."
"We were located in the no electric no water area and even though every site was taken, it was surprisingly more private than you'd expect."
from $17 - $27 / night
Check Availability"Excellent location for exploring the cites and beaches of Rhode Island!"
"We chose this park due to its location close to downtown Newport (a mere five miles). There is a lot to do in this area and we wanted to spend time sightseeing. "
from $70 - $140 / night
Check Availability"This is a busy campground due to its location . Easy access to Boston, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Plymouth, Newport, and many more attractions."
"We selected this campground because of its proximity to family who we would be visiting. It was very convenient to Providence, Cape Cod, and Duxbury."
"This site is right next to the state park that’s nearby, so it’s fairly quiet. I think we are one of the only tent campers here this weekend, seems like a lot of seasonal camping with RVs."
from $40 - $200 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThis was a really enjoyable campground for our family. We spent part of the day at the heated pool, walked around the property, and finished the evening playing games together at our site.
ScoutClean and tidy. Sites for all types of camping. Close to locational attractions.
ScoutOur kids have really enjoyed spending the season here. They always seem to find something to do, whether it’s swimming, playing outside, or catching up with friends they’ve made around the campground. For us, the best part is having the camper already set up and ready whenever we have a free weekend. We’ve made a lot of good family memories here and still have plenty of summer left to enjoy.
ScoutWe were tenting in a 20 ft belltent. Spots are hard to find.dorothy gave us a great spot near rest rooms and showers for the kids. Every single person we met was a delight and overly generous to us and our kids. We hope to be seasonal campers there some day.
ScoutReally glad we decided to spend the season here. We’ve made some great friends, enjoyed a few campground events, and spent a lot more time outside than we normally would at home.
LegendI’ve never seen a place with so many nicely paved & wooded bike trails, not to mention a vast network of hiking trails that intersect those. We had a great time exploring g the trails, enough to keep you entertained for several days of exploration. The office sells firewood, $7 a bundle (only accept credit cards) and they ask you to not bring in outside wood.
Lots of well maintained bathouses, one on each road. Sites were nicely spaced out, but not super private, in the sense you could still see others through the trees, even in mid summer.
ScoutHaving our RV here for the season has made it so much easier to enjoy our time off. We can arrive after work, open everything up, and start relaxing instead of spending half the evening setting up. The campground has a really nice community feel, but we still have enough space to enjoy quiet time at our own site. It’s become the place we look forward to returning to every week.
ScoutThe campground had a fun atmosphere without feeling overwhelming. Everyone we spoke with was friendly, and we left wishing we had booked an extra night.
GuideWe stayed a couple nights at the beginning of the season to open up the camper and while there was still obvious cleaning and grounds work to be done before peak season, the age and condition of the facilities was worn, tired, and needing a deep clean. Roads were pretty rutted in places, and it appears that most of the sites are seasonal occupants rather than transient visitors. Rates are cheaper for full hookups than many other places, but you get what you pay for.
Camping options near Lincoln, Rhode Island span from rustic tent sites to full-amenity RV parks within a 30-mile radius. This area of New England experiences seasonal variation with temperatures ranging from 20°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Many campgrounds follow a mid-April to October season, though several remain open year-round with reduced services during colder months.
Hiking and biking trails: Massasoit State Park Campground has excellent terrain for outdoor activities. "Great spot for running, walking, hiking, biking, fishing, and exploring! Beautiful, silent, and shows the power nature has," notes Katie D. The park recently reopened with significant renovations.
Water activities: Melville Ponds Campground offers fishing opportunities just steps from your site. "Great place to camp and fish and hike great place to take a dog," according to Kimbo K. The nearby pond provides a serene spot for anglers of all skill levels.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas during summer months. A visitor at George Washington State Campground reported, "We enjoyed swimming and fishing. The beach area for children was nice. The water was warm and clean. You can kayak or canoe."
Sightseeing trips: Many Lincoln area campgrounds serve as convenient baselines for regional exploration. "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," shares Donya B. from Circle Campground Farm.
Privacy between sites: Tent campers frequently mention site spacing as a key factor. At Bowdish Lake Camping Area, "The site was very secluded and very large which was awesome! Kids had a blast!" notes Stanley K. Sites in the Blue section receive particular praise for their seclusion.
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. "Grounds were well kept, bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins). Staff was friendly and helpful, with park rangers making regular rounds," says Nick P. about his stay at George Washington State Campground.
Family amenities: Boston/Cape Cod KOA stands out for its abundant children's activities. Amy G. observed, "My kids loved the train rides, movie night, flash light candy hunt, and arts and crafts." This campground serves families seeking structured recreation.
Waterfront access: Multiple campsites near Lincoln provide water access for various activities. Taylor B. enjoyed Bowdish Lake's location: "This site is right next to the state park that's nearby, so it's fairly quiet. It appears that most of the sites are very private."
Seasonal pricing: Non-residents typically pay significantly more at Rhode Island state parks. Michelle H. notes about George Washington State Campground: "No hook-ups yet it cost $36 for out of state residents plus the fees which put it up to $44."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. Holiday Acres Campground operates with a gated entry system. Michael K. explains, "All entrances are gated with key codes and there was a security guard on staff part of the time."
Site variations: Level sites can be scarce at some locations. At Stateline Campresort & Cabins, Johnny W. found, "At first there was a little confusion at the office of where I was supposed to be. The manager came up and they assigned me to a site next to the frog pond, but with our little kids I wasn't too keen on staying literally on the pond."
Utility considerations: Electrical service varies widely between campgrounds. Bruce Y. warns about Holiday Acres: "Be very careful when you hook into their power, make sure you have a surge protector!!!" Always inspect connections before setting up camp.
Entertainment options: Circle Campground Farm offers diverse recreation for children. "Nice little fishing pond on site, nice clean bathhouses and pool," notes Chris S. Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas during shoulder seasons when swimming isn't available.
Site selection: Families should research site location relative to bathrooms and amenities. Sean R. explains about Circle Campground, "Site size was adequate. I'm guessing these sites will be considered 'close' to 'moderately close' by other site standards but it housed my 24ft trailer, truck, and my family just fine."
Noise considerations: Campground atmospheres vary dramatically. Canoe River Campground has mixed reviews regarding sound levels. One camper observed, "This campground is fairly basic and on the older side with the playground and pool. We still had a great time."
Bathroom proximity: For families with small children, bathroom access matters. Ryan A. notes about George Washington, "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."
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the Lincoln area require leveling blocks. Brad B. reports about Melville Ponds Campground: "The main campground is on a slope, so be prepared for some leveling requirements, especially sites #216 and #217 (front to back)."
Hookup quality: Full-service sites vary in utility reliability. Rick C. from Canoe River Campground reports, "We stayed a week. No issues with water, sewer, electric, and cable. I was on site 87 and was able to level on the first try. The campground is a little tight with a big rig (40' motorhome pulling a vehicle on a dolly)."
Maneuvering space: Roads at many campgrounds can present challenges for larger rigs. Sean R. observes, "Roads are a little narrow which made backing in a little challenging. I had to use other sites to complete the back-in process. If those sites were occupied, that would have been real interesting."
Site size considerations: Upgrade site selection for more space with larger units. Janet P. advised about Boston/Cape Cod KOA: "I have learned that you really need to upgrade to the better campsites to enjoy your stay. I booked a basic 30 amp fullhook up campsite and it was so tight that unfortunately I did not enjoy it as much as I wanted to."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Lincoln?
The Lincoln area offers several excellent camping options. George Washington State Campground near Chepachet provides wooded sites by Bowdish Lake with a peaceful atmosphere. For families seeking recreational activities, Wawaloam Campground offers a splash pad, pool, and numerous kid-friendly amenities in a rural wooded setting. Both campgrounds are within reasonable driving distance from Lincoln and offer a true Rhode Island camping experience with varying amenities and natural surroundings.
Are there free camping options near Lincoln?
Free camping options near Lincoln are extremely limited. Most Rhode Island campgrounds charge fees, especially for out-of-state visitors. Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground offers basic parking lot-style camping for self-contained RVs without hookups but does charge a fee. For true free camping, you might need to look at overnight parking options like Bridgewater Service Plaza, though this would only be suitable for very short stays in self-contained vehicles. Always verify current policies before attempting overnight parking.
What amenities are available at Lincoln Woods camping area?
Lincoln Woods State Park doesn't offer formal camping facilities. For camping near Lincoln with good amenities, consider Burlingame State Park Campground which features 739 reservable campsites, flush toilets, and dump stations, though no hookups. Another option is Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground which provides water and electric hookups. Both parks offer reasonable access to Lincoln while providing basic camping amenities, though rates for out-of-state visitors tend to be higher.
Keep Exploring
