The Harrisville area of Rhode Island sits at the edge of the state's northwestern highlands, with elevations ranging between 400-600 feet above sea level. This region experiences warm summers with temperatures typically reaching 80-85°F during peak camping season, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures that many campers prefer. The area features a mix of hardwood forests surrounding numerous freshwater lakes and ponds, creating natural barriers between campsites at many locations.
What to do
Hiking trails and forests: George Washington State Campground offers extensive hiking opportunities around its grounds. "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," notes Jessica W., highlighting the water activities available along the trails.
Disc golf courses: Wells State Park Campground features a complete disc golf course within walking distance of most campsites. "It's very clean and always well kept sites. Amenities are cleaned daily," explains David M., who regularly visits the park for its recreational facilities.
Swimming beaches: West Thompson Lake Campground provides designated swimming areas that are particularly family-friendly. "Came for the boat races, very relaxing weekend," mentions Theresa H., describing one of the regular water events that take place at the campground during summer months.
Fishing spots: Charlie Brown Campground offers access to the Natchaug River with multiple fishing locations. "There is a beautiful beach for children. The water was warm and clean. You can kayak or canoe," notes Jessica W., describing the water quality for fishing enthusiasts.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: George Washington State Campground receives praise for its site layout. "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)," explains Nick P., emphasizing the campground's maintenance standards.
Clean facilities: Wells State Park Campground maintains excellent restroom facilities. "Wells State Park camp grounds recently got new bathrooms and they are so clean! The campsites are a nice size to drive your car up to and still have ample tent/picnic table/fire space," says Lauren C., highlighting the recent upgrades.
Water access: Bowdish Lake Camping Area provides direct lake access from many sites. "We are at site Red 24 and it's very secluded and flat. This site is right next to the state park that's nearby, so it's fairly quiet," mentions Taylor B., noting the proximity to natural surroundings.
Organized activities: Charlie Brown Campground offers scheduled events for guests. "Arts and crafts, tractor rides, and of course the tubing down the river. Lots of built-in entertainment for the kids! The grounds were clean, the playground was nice, and the people were all friendly," says Michael, describing the entertainment options.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Harrisville require reservations during peak season from May through October, with some staying open until mid-November. Booking 2-3 months ahead is recommended for summer weekends.
Quiet hours: Campgrounds enforce quiet times typically from 10 PM to 7 AM. "Sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice. Staff was friendly and helpful, with park rangers making regular rounds," notes Nick P. about George Washington State Campground's attentive management.
Pet policies: West Thompson Lake Campground permits pets but restricts them from certain areas. "We've camped here twice so far and can't wait to be back, This campground is very small and quiet, but the lake and adjoining river offer hours of fun for small craft," shares Cynthia K., describing the overall camping experience.
Shower facilities: Several campgrounds require quarters for shower use. "Very clean bathrooms with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins). Staff was friendly and helpful, with park rangers making regular rounds," advises Nick P. about George Washington State Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites near amenities: For glamping in Harrisville, Rhode Island with children, select sites close to bathrooms and play areas. "The campsite was safe, nicely laid out so we could have a series of sites next to one another," one visitor noted about family-friendly accommodations.
Pack water shoes: Many Harrisville area glamping spots have rocky or muddy lake access points. "The swimming area is pretty but you will hear the road so plan accordingly and not all sites are level," mentions Ryan C. about Wells State Park Campground.
Check for kid-friendly activities: Normandy Farms Campground offers extensive children's programming. "We stayed here for a few nights when they celebrated Halloween. It is super easy to get around. They had tons of festive activities. They have an indoor and an outdoor pool," reports Liz W., highlighting special seasonal events.
Consider luxury tents: Several Harrisville area campgrounds offer premium glamping experiences with furnished canvas structures. "The yurts are beautiful," notes Jean T. about Normandy Farms' upscale accommodations, perfect for families wanting comfort.
Tips from RVers
Request leveled sites: Many luxury camping sites near Harrisville require additional leveling. "The site we stayed at (47) took a little leveling to get right but it was pretty nice having views of the water," advises Sean about Sutton Falls Camping Area.
Electric concerns: Sutton Falls Camping Area provides reliable power connections for glamping units. "We stayed on an rv site for 1 week this past summer. Had a great time, kids had a blast with the boat rentals and fishing. Saw they have 2 yurts for rent as well," reports Dr. D., mentioning the glamping options available.
Bridge clearance: Some access roads to luxury camping sites have covered bridges or low clearance points. "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," explains Sean about navigating to Sutton Falls.
Check cell service: If planning to work remotely while glamping near Harrisville, verify signal strength. "Only problem was the cell signal. My wife works remotely and needs to be connected. Without our antenna we we only had 1 bar of both Verizon and AT&T," cautions Sean about connectivity challenges at certain sites.
