Rhode Island's forest areas surrounding Greenville feature second-growth woodlands dominated by oak, maple, and pine trees at elevations between 400-600 feet. The region's humid continental climate brings warm summers with daytime temperatures averaging 80°F and moderately cold winters. Most glamping sites near Greenville require advance reservations during peak season from June through September when occupancy rates often exceed 90%.
What to Do
Hiking trails with elevation: George Washington State Campground offers multiple hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. According to Joey S., the campground "has great hiking trails going around some lakes," making it perfect for day hikes from your glamping site.
Disc golf courses: West Thompson Lake Campground features a complete disc golf course on property. As Jason L. notes: "We were able to see some boat races and played a round of disc golf on property. Once the boat races finished each day the camp was very quiet and peaceful."
Paddling opportunities: The waterways near glamping sites provide excellent kayaking and canoeing options. At Bowdish Lake Camping Area, Taylor B. found that "most of the sites are very private" and the location puts you right next to paddling opportunities on the lake.
Seasonal swimming: While not all water bodies permit swimming, several glamping locations offer swimming access during summer months. Thomas M. from George Washington State Campground shares: "This is a lovely campground with a beautiful beach, new pay shower and bathrooms. We enjoyed swimming and fishing."
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Unlike crowded campgrounds, many glamping areas provide good separation between accommodations. At George Washington State Campground, Nick P. reports that "Sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice. Grounds were well kept, bathrooms were very clean with hot showers."
Peaceful environment: Most glamping sites maintain quiet hours and family-friendly atmospheres. Nick S. notes: "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."
Convenient amenities: Modern glamping facilities balance outdoor experiences with comfort. At Normandy Farms Campground, Sonyia W. explains: "This is the place that will raise the bar for all the others. Everything was fantastic. If I could pick ONE thing to improve it would be bigger shower stalls."
Wildlife observation: The wooded setting provides opportunities to spot local wildlife. Kelly F. describes George Washington State Campground as having "Big open sites, really quiet, great place to relax and hike," ideal for nature observation.
What You Should Know
Shower costs: Some glamping facilities charge for hot showers. At George Washington State Campground, Nick P. advises: "Bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins)."
Site selection matters: Location within a glamping property significantly impacts your experience. At Burlingame State Park Campground, David M. cautions: "If you want a good visit do not stay down by the lake!!!"
Seasonal differences: Jessica A. from Burlingame State Park recommends timing: "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."
Limited cell service: Some glamping sites have poor connectivity. At Sutton Falls Camping Area, Sean notes: "Only problem was the cell signal. My wife works remotely and needs a to be connected. Without our antenna we we only had 1 bar of both Verizon and AT&T."
Tips for Camping with Families
Pool availability: Multiple glamping sites offer swimming pools, extending water fun beyond natural options. Liz W. shares about Normandy Farms: "They have an indoor and an outdoor pool. The restrooms are clean. I highly recommend staying here."
Playground equipment: Several locations feature playgrounds for children. According to Kasie R. at West Thompson Lake: "With only 22 sites and about half with electric and water, this basic family campground is perfect! Centrally located bathrooms/showers, basketball court, playground and amphitheater to keep the kids busy."
Beach areas for children: Designated swimming beaches provide safer water access for families. Stanley K. reported about Bowdish Lake: "We went for a weekend only so we weren't there long but everything was great. The site was very secluded and very large which was awesome! Kids had a blast!"
Organized activities: Some glamping properties schedule regular events for children. Douglas L. found at Normandy Farms: "Great spot, clean, fun and easy access. So many of our camping friends love this place so we figured we'd try it - outstanding."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Some glamping sites require extra effort to level RVs properly. Sean at Sutton Falls Camping Area shares: "The site we stayed at (site 47) took a little leveling to get right but it was pretty nice having views of the water."
Bridge access: When towing RVs to glamping sites, be aware of potential bridge restrictions. Sean continues: "There's a covered bridge that scared me a little due to size concerns but its quite tall and wide enough. Our rig is 11'9" to the top of the A/C and we had no issues."
Camp store availability: Some glamping locations offer well-stocked stores for forgotten items. SANDIE B. notes about Normandy Farms: "This is one of the best campgrounds you will ever come to. It has a dog park and has owners that are one family who makes this place hum!"
Site spacing considerations: The distance between glamping units varies by location. Andrew P. at Burlingame State Park observes: "Hundreds of sites, some level some not, some dirt sites, some grassy, some with a ton of shade, some out in the open, excellent for bikes."
