Best Tent Camping near Cumberland Hill, RI

Tent campsites near Cumberland Hill, Rhode Island range from rustic to established campgrounds with basic amenities. Arcadia Management Area offers several primitive tent camping options, including the Arcadia Backpack Camping Area and the LeGrand Reynolds Horsemen's Camping Area, both located along Escoheag Hill Road in Exeter. Buck Hill Campground provides a rural camping experience with large tent sites that can accommodate multiple tents, many positioned along Wakefield Pond.

Tent campers should prepare for varied amenities across these locations. Buck Hill features limited facilities with only rough restrooms and porta-potties available. Sites typically include fire rings where permitted, though campers should verify current fire regulations before their visit. Water's Edge Campground in Coventry provides more services for tent camping with showers, toilets, and trash disposal available. The Arcadia camping areas require tent campers to be self-sufficient as they offer limited facilities. Campers should bring adequate water supplies and basic camping equipment as many sites provide only the essentials.

The tent camping experience in these woodland settings offers a genuine connection to Rhode Island's natural environment. Most sites feature wooded surroundings with ample space between campsites. Buck Hill Campground provides the opportunity for water activities on Wakefield Pond, where campers can swim, fish, or paddle. The densely forested setting creates a secluded atmosphere ideal for tent campers seeking quieter experiences. Several sites in the Arcadia Management Area serve as excellent basecamps for exploring the surrounding trail networks. A visitor commented on Buck Hill Campground: "The area is heavily wooded without much else around and very few amenities. This is the type of campground to just come and unwind, fish, cook, etc."

Best Tent Sites Near Cumberland Hill, Rhode Island (10)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Cumberland Hill, RI

786 Reviews of 10 Cumberland Hill 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.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2021

    Fearing Pond Campground — Myles Standish State Forest

    Wooded sites near a pond

    There are 2 Fearing Pond loops at Myles Standish State Forest, the H & I loops. The H loop entrance is closer to the Charge Pond loops and is higher above pond. This loop is better suited to the larger trailers/tents with more space to drive around a loop , but some spots have slopes. The I loop's best feature is a small beach that is easily accessible from all sites. They've done a lot of site restoration and the fact that it didn't open in 2020 helped. In spite of that, many of the sites have awkward approaches and there is a large parking lot closer to the bathroom. There are no hookups, but there is a dump station available. Water is available, but no electric hookups. Fire rings and picnic tables provided.

    The forest has miles of biking trails, ponds for swimming, fishing, and boating, and even cranberry bogs to explore (though harvest is late in the camping season and this section is not open at that time).

    Cell phone coverage is poor to absent in the forest, so download maps for offline use prior to your arrival.

    Plymouth is nearby for a any forgotten provisions and for sightseeing. Erickson's ice cream cafe is near the entrance if you need a treat!

  • 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.

  • Our Greight Escape ..
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Bourne Scenic Park

    Wonderful campground!

    We stayed here for a season and loved it! The staff from the front desk to the front gate are incredibly friendly and welcoming!

    Pros-

    Front office is open late (9pm)

    Offers wood, ice, fire starters, hoses and adapter cap for gray water drain.

    Country Store

    Ice Cream

    Amazing views of the canal.

    Bike path along the canal, easy access.

    Lots of playgrounds for different ages

    Bounce pad (in-ground)

    Pool

    Stair access to canal bike path.

    Dump station

    Inexpensive to have visitors\

    Located near so much! Walmart, Market Basket, Target all within 15min.  

    Cons-

    No on site drainage for black water (grey takes an adapter). You will need a poop tote.

    Lots of tight spaces

    Anyone can pay to access canal, so they can access any campsite even without staying there. 

    Highway noise.

    BRIDGE TRAFFIC- if you know you know.

  • Migdalia G.
    May. 29, 2019

    Lorraine Park Campground — Harold Parker State Forest

    Nice Wooded Campground in Awesome Area

    We stayed at Harold Parker State Forest Campground during Memorial Day Weekend. Reservation through Reserve America was a breeze. Check in till 9:00 pm was convenient. Checkout by 11:00 am but we paid for an additional night to be able to leave at night the day we checked out. Totally worth it!

    Nice large campsites. The sites’ privacy is very diverse. You could be tucked away from everyone or closer together depending on the site you choose but they are all pretty decent in size. All sites have water which is a plus. All have a fire pit/box, charcoal bbq and a picnic table. Most of them are drive in. 

    Quiet hours from 10 am to 7 am. No alcohol allowed (although I didn’t see an actual enforcement of this rule and guess it’ll happen only if people act out). Rangers are constantly patrolling. Felt pretty safe at night. You can’t bring wood. Bundles are $5 each and it burns really well. 

    Lots of biking/hiking/walking trails, a nice small pond/beach, boat access, a few basketball courts, a volleyball court and a common huge fire pit added to the fun. A ranger ran a program to teach about the area fauna which was pretty interesting for kids and adults alike. 

    Bathrooms were fairly clean although small and showers were free! Some sites were right in front of a lovely pond and there were many group sites available as well. 

    The location is pretty good. Salem, Andover, Boston Are accesible while staying here. Close proximity to Richardson Ice Cream which you CANT miss if you decide to stay.  They have cheap but amazing ice cream, mini golf and battling cages which was entertaining for my whole crew. 

    It rained a lot during one night of our stay and the site (301) did not flooded at all. All sites seemed in pretty good shape the morning after as well. 

    Beautiful and will recommend to families with small kids, groups and couples too.

  • 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.

  • 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.


Guide to Cumberland Hill

Tent camping options near Cumberland Hill, Rhode Island span across multiple state management areas and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The region consists primarily of rolling hills and mixed deciduous forests with elevation ranging from 200-400 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during day and cool to 60-65°F at night, making proper gear selection essential for overnight comfort.

What to do

Water recreation at Wakefield Pond: Buck Hill Campground sites position campers near this pond for fishing, swimming and paddling. One visitor notes, "The water is clean and fine for swimming with a few areas that make for easy entry into the water (including the 'beach')."

Island exploration: Boston Harbor Islands State Park Campground offers unique camping with ferry access to multiple islands. "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," shares a camper who visited Peddocks Island.

Trail hiking: The Arcadia Management Area camping areas provide direct access to extensive hiking networks within the 14,000-acre forest. Trail difficulty ranges from easy walking paths to moderate terrain suitable for day hikes from basecamp.

What campers like

Self-sufficient woodland camping: The primitive nature of sites at Arcadia Backpack Camping Area appeals to those seeking minimal development. Campers appreciate the secluded sites surrounded by dense forest with minimal facilities.

Basic amenities with privacy: Waters Edge Campground in Coventry provides bathroom facilities while maintaining natural surroundings. Sites typically include picnic tables and fire rings with reasonable spacing between neighbors.

Historical exploration: Camp Nihan Education Center combines nature with educational opportunities. As one visitor explains, "The group site is super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most tent sites near Cumberland Hill require advance booking, especially during summer months. Boston Harbor Islands fills quickly, with one camper advising, "These sites book quickly, so you should try to book 7 months to the day in advance."

Limited facilities: Buck Hill Campground provides minimal amenities. "There are a few rough restrooms and some porta-potties," notes a reviewer, highlighting the need for self-sufficiency.

Water sources: Many primitive sites in the region require bringing your own water supply. Arcadia Management Area campgrounds have no potable water on site, necessitating sufficient water transportation for drinking, cooking and basic hygiene.

Fire regulations: Restrictions vary by location and season, with some sites requiring fire permits or limiting fires to designated rings. Always check current fire regulations before your trip, as drought conditions may result in temporary bans.

Tips for camping with families

Scout-friendly locations: Buck Hill's large group sites accommodate multiple tents, making it ideal for families camping together. One camper observed, "I'm pretty sure this is a scouting campground. All the sites are in large clusters (each can accommodate 10+ tents)."

Educational experiences: Frosty Hollow Camping Area offers nature exploration opportunities in a rustic setting. Parents appreciate the natural surroundings for teaching outdoor skills to children.

Swimming access: When camping with children, consider sites with water access for recreation. Locations with gradual water entry points provide safer swimming for younger children during summer months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cumberland Hill, RI?

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

What is the best site to find tent camping near Cumberland Hill, RI?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Cumberland Hill, RI, with real photos and reviews from campers.