The Lincoln, Rhode Island area sits at the northeastern edge of the Blackstone River Valley with elevations ranging from 200-400 feet above sea level. Seasonal considerations impact camping conditions, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through August. Fall camping offers colorful foliage displays but requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop below 50°F by early October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 20-minute drive from Lincoln to George Washington State Campground where you can access both pond and stream fishing. "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," notes Nick S.
Dog-friendly hiking trails: 5 miles of trails at Melville Ponds Campground provide excellent exercise options. "Plenty of hiking within walking distance and a short drive to all local attractions. Plenty of amenities and a modest camp store as well," according to Nick P. The campground connects to a larger trail network suitable for dogs of all sizes.
Family water activities: Swimming and boating available at several locations. "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," reports Jessica W. about George Washington State Campground's water access points.
What campers like
Large private campsites: Many sites at Bowdish Lake Camping Area provide ample room between neighbors. "This site is right next to the state park that's nearby, so it's fairly quiet. I think we are one of the only tent campers here this weekend, seems like a lot of seasonal camping with RVs. But it appears that most of the sites are very private," Taylor B. shares about site Red 24.
Clean bathhouse facilities: Some campgrounds maintain excellent washroom amenities. "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). Staff was friendly and helpful, with park rangers making regular rounds," Nick P. says about George Washington State Campground.
Access to nearby attractions: Circle Campground Farm provides convenient access to regional sites. "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.
What you should know
Extra fees at certain campgrounds: Be prepared for additional charges at some locations. At Bowdish Lake Camping Area, campers report unexpected costs: "Then they charged us an additional $75.00 for our truck... an additional $50.00 for having our own kayak... an additional $50.00 for a small dog, $100.00 for large dogs... an additional $100.00 for cable," according to Richard P.
Site leveling requirements: Some locations require extra equipment. "The main campground is on a slope, so be prepared for some leveling requirements, especially sites #216 and #217 (front to back). Also, our site #215 was at the bottom of the hill, so it was a bit mucky," notes Brad B. about Melville Ponds Campground.
Variable shower conditions: Quality and cost of shower facilities varies widely among dog friendly campgrounds near Lincoln. "The showers were very outdated and not clean at all," Amy G. reports about Boston/Cape Cod KOA. At other locations, showers are coin-operated and may have limited hot water.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with planned activities: Kids enjoy scheduled events. "The activities for kids is the draw for this campground for sure. My kids loved the train rides, movie night, flash light candy hunt, and arts and crafts," shares Amy G. about Boston/Cape Cod KOA.
Consider weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds become louder on weekends. "It is s little on the pricey side, but has great amenities for campers with kids and pets. Not a fan of gravel sites (would have preferred grass), and the sites are really close together, but there was always plenty to do," reports Cendy G. about Normandy Farms Campground.
Book early for holiday weekends: Popular times fill quickly at most locations. "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. The restrooms are clean," says Liz W. about special event weekends at Normandy Farms.
Tips from RVers
Carefully select your site type: RV sites vary significantly in size and amenities. "I have belong to KOA's for quite a few years and 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," advises Janet P.
Check electrical connections: Protect your equipment at all dog-friendly campgrounds near Lincoln. "Be very careful when you hook into their power, make sure you have a surge protector!!! We learned the hard way after staying Memorial day weekend... Their corroded 30 amp power melted the connections on both my cords and blew out my power awning," warns Bruce Y. about Holiday Acres Campground.
Consider campground layout for larger rigs: Navigation can be challenging in some areas. "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," shares Sean R. about Circle Campground Farm.
