Sara L.
Scout
ScoutGibson Hill RV Park
Nice Location
Nice location if you like taking day trips. We explored during the day and came back to camp each night.
Camping near Lincoln, RI
146 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Campgrounds near Lincoln, Rhode Island range from developed facilities to more rustic options within a 30-mile radius. George Washington State Campground in Chepachet offers tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations with electric hookups and shower facilities. Normandy Farms Campground in Foxborough, Massachusetts provides a more resort-style experience with 400 sites including tent, RV, cabin, yurt, and glamping options. Most campgrounds in the region are established facilities rather than dispersed camping areas, with many offering water and electric hookups for RVs alongside traditional tent sites.
Camping in the Lincoln area follows seasonal patterns with most campgrounds operating from mid-April through October or November. A camper noted, "George Washington State Campground is located near 2185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814. It's by Bowdish Lake, near the Connecticut border. This is a cool area of Rhode Island that I enjoyed getting the chance to explore." Many campgrounds charge significantly higher rates for out-of-state visitors, with price differences sometimes doubling for non-residents. Cell phone coverage varies but generally remains adequate with 3-4 bars reported at most developed sites. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly.
The mixed-use nature of campgrounds in the region means most accommodate both tent and RV camping, though site selection matters significantly for tent campers seeking level ground. Several visitors mentioned the proximity to water as a key feature, with Bowdish Lake and other ponds providing fishing and paddling opportunities. A review highlighted that "The lake access is excellent, obviously. Pay showers of varying degrees of cleanliness. Open to tents, but clearly preferred by the RV crowd." Campgrounds like Holiday Acres and Newport RV Park remain open year-round, though amenities may be limited in winter months. The region's campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring coastal Rhode Island attractions, with Newport and Block Island accessible as day trips from many locations.
Best Campgrounds near Lincoln (146)
1. Normandy Farms Campground
"The staff was positive and helpful and that made a difference for me. I traditionally dry camp or go for semi hooked up on purpose, I just like the quieter camping."
"Driving around this place is definitely not a typical campground but more of a luxury camp because of all of the amenities. That being said it was very nice and felt safe."
from $50 - $200 / night
Check Availability2. George Washington State Campground
"So if you are confused about things like location, let’s knock that out first: This campground is located near 2185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814."
"The campground was safe, nicely laid out so we could have a series of sites next to one another. Biking was a blast for the kids along with trail hike around pond, beach, and fishing."
from $18 - $75 / night
Check Availability3. Holiday Acres Campground
"The swimming area has a 'icky bottom' (kid term :)) The entrance / office setup is confusing."
from $35 - $65 / night
Check Availability4. Circle Campground Farm Campground
"Im guessing these sites will be considered "close" to "moderately close" by other site standards but it housed my 24ft trailer, truck, and my family just fine. Roads are a little narrow which made"
"Everything you need 100% Everything clean 100% EASY Access to all attractions 100% We did Boston (caught the train), Salem, mystic seaport, Sturbridge village, plymouth rock, the Mayflower ship, and plymouth"
from $45 - $75 / night
Check Availability5. Canoe River Campground
"This place is pretty awesome if you’re looking to see a show at the nearby Comcast center."
from $42 - $58 / night
Check Availability6. Stateline Campresort & Cabins
"The manager came up and they assigned me to a site next to the frog pond, but with our little kids I was t too keen on staying literally on the pond."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability7. Gibson Hill RV Park
"We picked this campground because we wanted to explore both Connecticut and Rhode Island without changing campsites halfway through the trip. It worked really well for that."
"We walked around, checked out the pond, and spent most of the night sitting by the fire. Nice easygoing place."
8. Massasoit State Park Campground
"Other than the bees, it was peaceful, and nobody bothered you. i would recommend lots of bee spray and a screen house, but hopefully it was an isolation situation."
"We were located in the no electric no water area and even though every site was taken, it was surprisingly more private than you'd expect."
from $17 - $27 / night
Check Availability9. Newport RV Park
"Excellent location for exploring the cites and beaches of Rhode Island!"
"We chose this park due to its location close to downtown Newport (a mere five miles). There is a lot to do in this area and we wanted to spend time sightseeing. "
from $70 - $140 / night
Check Availability10. Boston/Cape Cod KOA
"This is a busy campground due to its location . Easy access to Boston, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Plymouth, Newport, and many more attractions."
"We selected this campground because of its proximity to family who we would be visiting. It was very convenient to Providence, Cape Cod, and Duxbury."
Drive Time
- 10 min from Providence, RI
- 31 min from Worcester, MA
- 37 min from Boston, MA
- 51 min from Norwich, CT
Recent Camping Photos near Lincoln, RI
310 Photos of 146 Lincoln Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Lincoln, RI
883 Reviews of 146 Lincoln Campgrounds
Sam W.ScoutWompatuck State Park Campground
Safe and quiet
I always find this is a good spot to have a few quiet nights. Can set up a fire an lf just relax. There are bathrooms with showers but byob bath stuff
Marie H.
TravelerNormandy Farms Campground
Lovely and peaceful
We came in the day after Labor Day ~ after 280 rv’s checked out ~ so it may not have been as peaceful over the weekend, but I heard everyone had lots of fun. The grounds are beautiful!
- JJohn B.Scout
Gibson Hill RV Park
New England RV Trip
We used Gibson Hill as one of the stops on a longer New England RV trip. By the time we arrived, we had been driving quite a bit and really didn’t want another complicated travel day. We got the RV parked, took showers, made something easy for dinner, and stayed put for the rest of the night. The following morning we were rested and ready to explore again. For road trips like ours, having somewhere to stop for a couple of nights and reset can make a huge difference.
Ronald P.ScoutGibson Hill RV Park
Decided To Camp instead
We wanted to visit Providence without actually staying in the city and decided to camp instead. We drove in for the day, had dinner there, and came back to the RV afterward. It made the trip feel like we got a city getaway and a camping weekend at the same time.
Angela C.ScoutGibson Hill RV Park
Nothing Beats Cooking
Nothing beats cooking breakfast outside on a cool Connecticut morning. Coffee tasted especially good on this trip.
Ariana C.ScoutGibson Hill RV Park
Much More Relaxing
We picked this campground because we wanted to explore both Connecticut and Rhode Island without changing campsites halfway through the trip. It worked really well for that. We spent most of the day out exploring and came back in the evening to make dinner at the RV. Much more relaxing than bouncing between hotels.
- FFrank P.Scout
Nickerson Park Family Campground
Friendly staff, very clean and quiet campground
Stayed for a weekend. Staff was super friendly and the park was very clean. Enjoyed some fishing and caught some small trout with my kids. Very relaxing and enjoyed our stay.
Edward J.ScoutGibson Hill RV Park
Two-Night Getaway
We brought the camper for a quick two-night getaway and spent most of our time doing absolutely nothing. Cooked outside, read a little, and finally slowed down for a weekend.
Guide to Lincoln
Camping options near Lincoln, Rhode Island span from rustic tent sites to full-amenity RV parks within a 30-mile radius. This area of New England experiences seasonal variation with temperatures ranging from 20°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Many campgrounds follow a mid-April to October season, though several remain open year-round with reduced services during colder months.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Massasoit State Park Campground has excellent terrain for outdoor activities. "Great spot for running, walking, hiking, biking, fishing, and exploring! Beautiful, silent, and shows the power nature has," notes Katie D. The park recently reopened with significant renovations.
Water activities: Melville Ponds Campground offers fishing opportunities just steps from your site. "Great place to camp and fish and hike great place to take a dog," according to Kimbo K. The nearby pond provides a serene spot for anglers of all skill levels.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas during summer months. A visitor at George Washington State Campground reported, "We enjoyed swimming and fishing. The beach area for children was nice. The water was warm and clean. You can kayak or canoe."
Sightseeing trips: Many Lincoln area campgrounds serve as convenient baselines for regional exploration. "We did Boston (caught the train), Salem, mystic seaport, Sturbridge village, plymouth rock, the Mayflower ship, and plymouth plantation spending no more than 1hr and 20 min at the most in the car," shares Donya B. from Circle Campground Farm.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Tent campers frequently mention site spacing as a key factor. At Bowdish Lake Camping Area, "The site was very secluded and very large which was awesome! Kids had a blast!" notes Stanley K. Sites in the Blue section receive particular praise for their seclusion.
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. "Grounds were well kept, bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins). Staff was friendly and helpful, with park rangers making regular rounds," says Nick P. about his stay at George Washington State Campground.
Family amenities: Boston/Cape Cod KOA stands out for its abundant children's activities. Amy G. observed, "My kids loved the train rides, movie night, flash light candy hunt, and arts and crafts." This campground serves families seeking structured recreation.
Waterfront access: Multiple campsites near Lincoln provide water access for various activities. Taylor B. enjoyed Bowdish Lake's location: "This site is right next to the state park that's nearby, so it's fairly quiet. It appears that most of the sites are very private."
What you should know
Seasonal pricing: Non-residents typically pay significantly more at Rhode Island state parks. Michelle H. notes about George Washington State Campground: "No hook-ups yet it cost $36 for out of state residents plus the fees which put it up to $44."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. Holiday Acres Campground operates with a gated entry system. Michael K. explains, "All entrances are gated with key codes and there was a security guard on staff part of the time."
Site variations: Level sites can be scarce at some locations. At Stateline Campresort & Cabins, Johnny W. found, "At first there was a little confusion at the office of where I was supposed to be. The manager came up and they assigned me to a site next to the frog pond, but with our little kids I wasn't too keen on staying literally on the pond."
Utility considerations: Electrical service varies widely between campgrounds. Bruce Y. warns about Holiday Acres: "Be very careful when you hook into their power, make sure you have a surge protector!!!" Always inspect connections before setting up camp.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Circle Campground Farm offers diverse recreation for children. "Nice little fishing pond on site, nice clean bathhouses and pool," notes Chris S. Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas during shoulder seasons when swimming isn't available.
Site selection: Families should research site location relative to bathrooms and amenities. Sean R. explains about Circle Campground, "Site size was adequate. I'm guessing these sites will be considered 'close' to 'moderately close' by other site standards but it housed my 24ft trailer, truck, and my family just fine."
Noise considerations: Campground atmospheres vary dramatically. Canoe River Campground has mixed reviews regarding sound levels. One camper observed, "This campground is fairly basic and on the older side with the playground and pool. We still had a great time."
Bathroom proximity: For families with small children, bathroom access matters. Ryan A. notes about George Washington, "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."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the Lincoln area require leveling blocks. Brad B. reports about Melville Ponds Campground: "The main campground is on a slope, so be prepared for some leveling requirements, especially sites #216 and #217 (front to back)."
Hookup quality: Full-service sites vary in utility reliability. Rick C. from Canoe River Campground reports, "We stayed a week. No issues with water, sewer, electric, and cable. I was on site 87 and was able to level on the first try. The campground is a little tight with a big rig (40' motorhome pulling a vehicle on a dolly)."
Maneuvering space: Roads at many campgrounds can present challenges for larger rigs. Sean R. observes, "Roads are a little narrow which made backing in a little challenging. I had to use other sites to complete the back-in process. If those sites were occupied, that would have been real interesting."
Site size considerations: Upgrade site selection for more space with larger units. Janet P. advised about Boston/Cape Cod KOA: "I have learned that you really need to upgrade to the better campsites to enjoy your stay. I booked a basic 30 amp fullhook up campsite and it was so tight that unfortunately I did not enjoy it as much as I wanted to."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Lincoln?
Where are the best campgrounds near Lincoln?
The Lincoln area offers several excellent camping options. George Washington State Campground near Chepachet provides wooded sites by Bowdish Lake with a peaceful atmosphere. For families seeking recreational activities, Wawaloam Campground offers a splash pad, pool, and numerous kid-friendly amenities in a rural wooded setting. Both campgrounds are within reasonable driving distance from Lincoln and offer a true Rhode Island camping experience with varying amenities and natural surroundings.
Are there free camping options near Lincoln?
Are there free camping options near Lincoln?
Free camping options near Lincoln are extremely limited. Most Rhode Island campgrounds charge fees, especially for out-of-state visitors. Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground offers basic parking lot-style camping for self-contained RVs without hookups but does charge a fee. For true free camping, you might need to look at overnight parking options like Bridgewater Service Plaza, though this would only be suitable for very short stays in self-contained vehicles. Always verify current policies before attempting overnight parking.
What amenities are available at Lincoln Woods camping area?
What amenities are available at Lincoln Woods camping area?
Lincoln Woods State Park doesn't offer formal camping facilities. For camping near Lincoln with good amenities, consider Burlingame State Park Campground which features 739 reservable campsites, flush toilets, and dump stations, though no hookups. Another option is Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground which provides water and electric hookups. Both parks offer reasonable access to Lincoln while providing basic camping amenities, though rates for out-of-state visitors tend to be higher.
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