Camping sites near Greene, Rhode Island range from small state parks to larger private resorts within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 400 feet above sea level, with the nearby Scituate Reservoir watershed creating a landscape of rolling hills and small ponds. Summer temperatures typically reach 82°F with nighttime lows around 62°F during peak camping season. Winter camping isn't widely available as most campgrounds close by mid-October.
What to do
Hiking trails: George Washington State Campground offers extensive hiking options around Bowdish Lake. "There are great hiking trails going around some lakes. Clean showers," notes a visitor, who particularly valued the trail system.
Fishing opportunities: Stateline Campresort & Cabins includes a large pond ideal for fishing. "Clean, wooded and open sites some overlook a large pond. Boat rentals, pool, game room available. The site we had overlooked the pond and was perfect," according to one camper.
Paddling excursions: The pond at Hopeville Pond State Park provides excellent kayaking options. "From here, we paddled south to the end of the pond and up the Pachaug River, eventually reaching the dam at Pachaug Pond. It's an 8 mile paddle with some tricky spots to navigate, but very pretty!" explains a visitor.
Historic exploration: Several campgrounds position you within 35 minutes of historic Mystic, Connecticut. "The location of the campground was great as it was easy to find, close to a grocery store, and more importantly close enough to our favorite town in Connecticut allowing us the opportunity to visit the ocean, go out to dinner and enjoy the local stores."
What campers like
Swimming options: Wawaloam Campground receives praise for its water recreation. "Large sites, great stone fire rings, full hookups, huge pool, waterslides, splash pad, playground, great camp store... this place brings a lot to the table for a very fair price of 60 bucks," writes one reviewer about this Richmond-based campground.
Privacy levels: Different campgrounds offer varying degrees of seclusion. At George Washington Campground, "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)."
Forest camping: Whispering Pines Campground in Hope Valley offers a traditional wooded experience. "There are pine trees everywhere in the park, so the owners don't cut down a lot of trees which makes it feel like a real campground and not a field of peoples RV's."
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain good bathroom standards. At Mystic KOA, visitors noticed "Cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen at a campground," though this campground generally focuses more on RVs and cabins than tent camping.
What you should know
Cost variations: Non-resident camping fees can be significantly higher. At Hopeville Pond State Park Campground, "The rate for out-of-state campers, while higher than for residents, was reasonable at $30." This compares favorably to some private campgrounds charging $44-60 per night.
Shower costs: Pay showers are common at state parks. "Bathrooms were clean. No electricity at the sites. Will try a cabin next time," noted one visitor about Burlingame State Park, where the $14 per night rate makes the shower fee acceptable to most campers.
Site selection importance: At larger campgrounds, site location significantly impacts experience. "If you want a good visit do not stay down by the lake!!!" warns one camper about Burlingame. Another adds: "Burlingame is HUGE state park campground with over 700 sites. The location is fantastic, but with this many sites, so with this many people, there are bound to be pros and cons."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from mid-April through mid-October. A camper at River Bend Campground noted: "We just camped here for the first time over Columbus Day Weekend with a few other families. Great weekend to come - seasonal campers go all out decorating for Halloween."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Strawberry Park in Connecticut offers extensive children's programming. "I love that I see the same staff there every year. There are seasonal and weekenders alike. Bingo every night, and more activities than you could possibly do!!! The kids ride their bikes to the sports fields, the rec center for the pool and activities."
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Whispering Pines, "The kids got to enjoy a brand new splash pad which was great and a small train ride around the park."
Busy weekend awareness: Family-oriented campgrounds get noisy during peak times. "Quiet hours at 11pm wasn't ideal for camping with a toddler. The DJ goes until 10:30 and it is LOUD. Not a deal breaker, just something to be aware of, especially if you are close to the pavilion," notes a River Bend camper.
Halloween camping: Many campgrounds host special October events. "Seasonal campers go all out decorating for Halloween. There are tons of activities for all ages: trick or treating one night, DJ/dance Saturday and Sunday, bingo/horseshoe/cornhole tournaments during the day."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Check campground reviews for specific site conditions. At River Bend Campground, campers noted "Sites 99 & 101 are best for big groups!" which provides valuable insight for those with larger setups.
Hookup availability: Many state parks offer limited or no hookups. At Wawaloam Campground, "Water and power are good, no internet to speak of, and many sites do not have sewer, but pump out is low cost and convenient."
Maneuverability: Narrow access roads present challenges at some locations. For Whispering Pines, one camper noted "Pretty tight turns and big hills for towing your trailer through but it fits."
Seasonal vs. transient balance: Some campgrounds cater more to long-term campers. Whispering Pines "Caters more to the seasonal campers than transients but still a good experience," while at Stateline Campresort, "Mostly seasonal campers. Good for just spending the night. Price is good. Not many options this part of the country."
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