Burlingame State Park Campground spans over 700 sites in a wooded setting near North Kingstown, Rhode Island. The campground combines standard RV and tent camping with upscale accommodations just 20 minutes from coastal beaches. Most sites lack hookups, but water spigots are available throughout the camping areas, with multiple dump stations provided for RV waste disposal.
What to do
Explore waterfront activities: The ponds at George Washington State Campground provide swimming and fishing opportunities. "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 one camper.
Visit nearby attractions: Mystic KOA serves as a convenient base for exploring regional highlights. "We stayed at Mystic KOA for four nights over the summer... 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."
Join organized activities: Seasonal events and scheduled recreation keep campers engaged. "This place has everything from a pool, splash pad, boats, food, ice cream, lots of activities, friendly helpful staff, delivery to your site from the camp store and nice shaded spacious sites," writes a visitor to Odetah Camping Resort.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Modern restrooms and shower buildings enhance the camping experience. "Cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen at a campground," reports a visitor to Mystic KOA. Another camper at George Washington State Campground appreciated that "bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins)."
Water recreation: Lakes and ponds provide natural alternatives to swimming pools. One visitor to Burlingame State Park Campground notes, "Lovely location - it's in the middle of the woods, has a pond, has pond swimming. It's just minutes to the ocean by car. Hiking and biking for miles."
Family-focused amenities: Strawberry Park gets high marks for its range of offerings. "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."
What you should know
Space limitations: Site size varies greatly between campgrounds. At Burlingame State Park Campground, "Spacious - even with all those sites, there's plenty of room between sites and tons of open space for kids to run around, fly a kite, play tag, hide and seek."
Bathroom conditions: Facilities can get overwhelmed during peak periods. A Burlingame camper warns, "Bath houses - are usually pretty filthy, and that's because there are too many people per bath house, and people are gross."
Noise considerations: Weekends and holidays can be particularly lively. "Noise / Parties / Drunks - again, too many sites means too many people and nowhere near enough park staff. On the weekends people can get out of hand with the partying and it's not uncommon to have to listen to noise late into the night. Do not come on a holiday weekend, it's packed."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection matters: Choose locations that balance privacy with proximity to amenities. A Hidden Acres camper reports, "We all got separate sites scattered along the river it was beautiful. We tubed down river, fished the pond, swam in the pool, did the hay ride, even attended the dance at night."
Consider cabin alternatives: For those new to glamping in North Kingstown and surrounding areas, cabins offer comfort with outdoor access. "Very affordable (around $14 per night). We stayed near the camp store and playground. Lots to do with kids including fishing, game room, and hiking. Bathrooms were clean. No electricity at the sites. Will try a cabin next time," suggests a Burlingame visitor.
Evaluate campground size: Normandy Farms Campground offers extensive recreation. "Great for families. It is a 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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Check what utilities are provided at your specific site. At Burlingame, "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, there are in-camp roads, so big you can get lost(sorta), store was good."
Arrival timing: Plan check-in during off-peak hours when possible. "Gates at check in can take some time, as well as finding your site," notes a Burlingame camper regarding the large property's navigation challenges.
Weather preparation: The Rhode Island coastal climate affects camping conditions. "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," advises a seasoned Burlingame visitor.
