Cumberland Hill camping options extend beyond luxury yurts to include more traditional tent camping experiences in Rhode Island's forested northeastern region. The area sits at the edge of the Blackstone River Valley, with elevations ranging from 200-400 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds remain open from mid-April through October, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F.
What to do
Hiking trails access: George Washington State Campground connects to several miles of forest trails. "My family and I come here twice a season it's quiet it's calm and never crowded. There's fishing and hiking right in the park," notes Nick S., who regularly visits the George Washington State Campground.
Disc golf course: West Thompson Lake Campground offers a complete disc golf course among its recreational options. "There are a lot of choices for hiking including a disc golf course," reports Deborah B. from her stay at West Thompson Lake Campground.
Kayaking opportunities: Several local lakes provide paddling options. A visitor at Sutton Falls Camping Area mentions that "kids had a blast with the boat rentals and fishing. About 5 min from great hiking at purgatory chasm."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers appreciate the secluded nature of certain sites. One camper at Sutton Falls Camping Area shared: "We were delighted when we learned we had the little peninsula of site P1 all to ourselves. Stunning views across the large pond... We felt like we were on top of the world."
Clean facilities: Some campgrounds maintain higher standards for their amenities. "Sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice. Grounds were well kept, bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins). Staff was friendly and helpful," notes Nick P. about his experience at George Washington State Campground.
Natural swimming areas: Several campgrounds offer lake swimming as an alternative to pools. At Wells State Park Campground, Lauren C. found that "The campsites are a nice size to drive your car up to and still have ample tent/picnic table/fire space. Camp sites are clearly labeled and none are that far of a walk from the beach or bathrooms."
What you should know
Varying site quality: Not all sites are created equal within the same campground. "Sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice," notes a recent visitor to George Washington State Campground.
Limited hookups: Many state parks offer basic camping experiences. Wells State Park has "no hook-ups here, but the sites are large, well spaced, and shaded," according to Cliff M.
Seasonal popularity: Expect more crowds during summer weekends. A camper at Burlingame State Park Campground advises: "Avoid holiday weekends and the heat of August if you can. Be prepared for dirty restrooms and come armed with hand soap (they no longer provide any), paper towels, and Clorox wipes."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Campgrounds with scheduled events keep children engaged. At West Thompson Lake Campground, a visitor noted, "There is a nice beach for children. The water was warm and clean. You can kayak or canoe. The dogs cannot go on the beach, but they can go in the boats."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas. "They have a really long list of amenities for this campground... fitness room, creative arts center, camp store, 20,000 square-foot activities building, restaurant, huge off-leash dog park, BMX bike park, horse shoe pits, baseball diamond, volleyball, fishing pond, shuffleboard, disk golf, and playground," a visitor reported about Normandy Farms Campground.
Bathroom proximity: When traveling with children, choose sites near facilities. At Sutton Falls, a parent observed: "The only thing I didn't love is they remodeled one set of bathrooms in the back and the front was the old set. They are gross my kids wouldn't use them. We would just drive to the other one unless it was late at night."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campsites require work to properly position an RV. A camper at Hide-A-Way Cove Campground noted: "Where we stayed was nice and we had great people near us. The only downside about where we stayed is there were apples all over that fall off trees… so don't walk around barefoot."
Electrical considerations: Some campgrounds have limited amperage. At Wells State Park, campers report having electric hookups but no sewer connections, making it better for shorter stays.
Cell connectivity: Working remotely requires planning. One camper at Sutton Falls Camping Area reported: "Only problem was the cell signal. My wife works remotely and needs to be connected. Without our antenna we only had 1 bar of both Verizon and AT&T. No signal at all on T-Mobile/Sprint."
