143 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options around North Smithfield, Rhode Island range from developed campgrounds to rustic sites with varying amenities. George Washington State Campground in nearby Chepachet offers tent, RV, and cabin camping from mid-April through Columbus Day. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access several mixed-use facilities including Holiday Acres Campground in Glocester and Echo Lake Campground in Pascoag. Most campgrounds in the region provide standard amenities such as drinking water, electric hookups, and fire rings, with many also offering shower facilities and sanitary dump stations for RVs.
Seasonal considerations heavily influence camping availability in the North Smithfield area. Most campgrounds operate from April or May through October, with a few remaining open year-round like Holiday Acres. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends and holiday periods when facilities reach capacity. The region experiences typical New England weather patterns with humid summers and cold winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Campground roads are generally well-maintained and accessible by standard vehicles, though some tent sites may require short walks from parking areas. A visitor noted that "George Washington State Campground is located near Bowdish Lake, near the Connecticut border. This is a cool area of Rhode Island that I enjoyed getting the chance to explore."
Campers consistently mention the wooded settings and lake access as highlights of the region's campgrounds. Several facilities feature waterfront locations, with Bowdish Lake Camping Area and Echo Lake Campground providing opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. Family-friendly amenities are common, with many campgrounds offering playgrounds, sports courts, and organized activities. While sites at some facilities like Burlingame State Park can feel crowded during peak season, others provide more privacy. A reviewer commented that George Washington State Campground has "full water and electrical hookup and a very unique and fun play area for kids. The lake access is excellent." For those seeking a more upscale experience, Normandy Farms Campground in nearby Foxborough, Massachusetts offers resort-style amenities including multiple pools, recreation facilities, and various accommodation options from tent sites to yurts.
"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 Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"The swimming area has a 'icky bottom' (kid term :)) The entrance / office setup is confusing."
from $35 - $65 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"They have bathrooms and showers close by that (if I remember correctly/things haven’t changed too much in the past couple of years) were in relatively decent shape compared to others I’ve been in at campgrounds"
"centrally located bathrooms/showers basketball court, playground and ampitheatre to keep the kids busy. hiking trails galore, disk golf, and swimming nearby. so fun!"
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $40 - $200 / night
Check Availability"Cute quiet place with a lake. Family run very friendly. They only thing I didnt love is they remodeled one set of bathrooms in the back and the front was the old set."
"Cabins and RV sites across the lake, along with beaches for swimming. Bathrooms located on P1 peninsula. Canoe rentals on-site. Lovely picnic dining area alongside covered bridge and waterfall."
from $40 - $65 / night
Check Availability"What really sets this place apart is the location. You’re literally steps away from Douglas State Forest, which made morning hikes and evening strolls absolutely magical."
"Drive times: Boston: 60min| Hartford: 62min| Providence: 42min| Albany: 120min| Portsmouth: 106min"
from $65 - $125 / night
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RangerEnjoyed our stay at this campground for a weekend in mid September. We booked for a good rate using Campspot and it was well worth the money. Our site was wide and had some bushes adding privacy from some nearby RVs. The campground was quiet and had several nice amenities, like a store, laundry, dog park, playground, pool, basketball court, and more. It was close to Olde Mystic and plenty of other nearby attractions.
GuideSites are rocky and not the most level. Fairly private. No water elec or sewer @ sites. Water spigot spread throughout the park. 2 nice sewer dumps. 1 in the middle of the park and 1 on your way out. Decent beaches. Pretty nice playground. Horrible arcade. The camp store is awesome. Everything you need. They are doing alot of work updating the park and it shows. New bath houses are really nice. We have gone 3 times this year. Good family campground
TravelerWe booked this campground, as well as 2 others, to see how we liked them to visit our daughter and granddaughter. We are in section 2, site 016. Small site, did not get level. Beautiful beaches and homes in the area.
RangerNice campground. Pull through was helpful for quick overnight stay. I like that there are some walking paths and a dog beach. We would return.
ScoutThis RV park was a small little park with a little lake to fish and swim (if you're brave enough) Overall had a pleasant experience until 2 weeks after we had left.
After paying and calling to ensure we were all squared away before leaving with a good to go and a zero-dollar balance, we left. 2 weeks later they charged my card again without letting me know. I figured it must have been a mistake since I had the paperwork with a zero-dollar balance AND I called to ensure we were all set.
Turns out it was purposeful- management decided that there was an additional admin fee after I had left the property. Note that this was not anything to do with any mess or damage left behind -That I could completely understand but this was a random additional charge. They went ahead and charged without any warning and with no real explanation.
I stayed here for 2 months and the first month had no such issues and no additional payments due.
If you stay here- be aware that they can charge your card EVEN IF you call and make sure you are all set AND have proof of a zero dollar balance.
They will say its in the contract and while there is an admin fee section in the contract- it does not state anywhere that it will be charged later, not included in your original bill or anything that would make charging your card randomly acceptable - especially with a zero dollar balance.
I'm not sure how many times they do this to people but the charge was on the smaller side, so they probably get away with this A LOT.
ScoutWe brought the boat along and having water access added an entirely different dimension to the trip. Instead of loading everything into the truck and driving somewhere for the day, we could make being on the water part of the camping experience itself.
ScoutNice location if you like taking day trips. We explored during the day and came back to camp each night.
ScoutI 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
TravelerWe 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!
North Smithfield camping options extend beyond the immediate town limits, with several facilities within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at elevations ranging from 200 to 500 feet above sea level in Rhode Island's northwest region, near the Massachusetts and Connecticut borders. Seasonal campers should note that summer humidity often reaches 70-80%, while spring and fall typically offer more comfortable camping conditions with daytime temperatures in the 60-70°F range.
Fishing opportunities: West Thompson Lake Campground offers catch-and-release fishing in their lake and adjoining river. "Take a long paddle up the river and you'll be escorted by hundreds of bluebirds and cedar waxwings. Fishing here is all catch and release," notes a camper at West Thompson Lake Campground.
Disc golf courses: Multiple campgrounds feature disc golf courses within their grounds or nearby. "About 5 min from great hiking at purgatory chasm," mentions a visitor to Sutton Falls Camping Area, highlighting the recreational diversity in the region.
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds host themed weekend events throughout the season. "We went to their Oktoberfest that they did on Saturday and that was decorated great and the band and activities were good!" shares a Stateline Campresort visitor about fall programming.
Boating rentals: Several area lakes offer paddling options with reasonable rental rates. "Kids had a blast with the boat rentals and fishing," reports a camper who visited Sutton Falls, noting the availability of on-site watercraft.
Privacy levels: Some campgrounds offer secluded sites away from crowds. "We're 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," explains a visitor at Bowdish Lake Camping Area.
Clean facilities: Campground bathroom quality varies throughout the region. "Bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins). Staff was friendly and helpful, with park rangers making regular rounds," notes a camper at George Washington State Campground.
Lake access: Waterfront locations remain a major draw. "We were delighted when we learned we had the little peninsula of site P1 all to ourselves. Stunning views across the large pond," shares a Sutton Falls visitor about their premium waterfront site.
Off-season value: Some campgrounds offer better experiences during shoulder seasons. "Called on Sunday morning and reserved a spot for 2 nights... Clean bath house and restrooms, quiet despite there being a pretty full park. Overall not bad for the off season cost of $30," notes a Stateline Campresort visitor.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites that require preparation. "The site we stayed at (47) took a little leveling to get right but it was pretty nice having views of the water," explains a visitor to Sutton Falls.
Seasonal closures: Most facilities operate from April/May through October, with specific opening dates. "They have anything you could want. Spotlessly clean and wonderful employees. The pool is also great. The yurts are beautiful," shares a visitor at Normandy Farms Campground.
Electrical system quality: Some campgrounds have aging electrical systems that require caution. "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," warns a Holiday Acres camper about potential electrical issues.
Dump station conditions: Waste disposal facilities vary in quality and design. "The dump station was so unlevel that we had to stop on the turnpike to dump our tanks properly," notes an Echo Lake Campground visitor about infrastructure limitations.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specialized children's activities and facilities. "They had tons of festive activities. They have an indoor and an outdoor pool. The restrooms are clean. I highly recommend staying here. It was a lot of fun," explains a visitor to Normandy Farms about their Halloween celebration.
Beach quality: Swimming areas vary significantly between 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," notes a visitor to George Washington State Campground.
Playground options: Some campgrounds feature updated play areas while others have older equipment. "This campground is fairly basic and on the older side with the playground and pool. We still had a great time," shares a visitor to Canoe River Campground.
Noise levels: Family campers should consider site location relative to activities. "The campground was very busy with families events activities, etc. If you prefer a noisy fun experience and a more social experience with your very close neighbors, this is the spot for you," advises a Canoe River visitor.
Site spacing: RV sites vary significantly in size and proximity to neighbors. "Campsites are big and well spaced. Bathrooms are best of any campground. Highly recommend," shares a Normandy Farms camper about their experience.
Hookup placement: Utilities are inconsistently positioned at different campgrounds. "The sites we were on were very unlevel and the water and electric were very far apart from each other," warns an Echo Lake visitor about potential connection challenges.
Gate policies: Some campgrounds restrict after-hours access. "Large campsites, Nice basketball court, Decent bathrooms for a state campground, only complain is that they close the gate to enter at 9pm," notes a West Thompson Lake camper about accessibility limitations.
Covered bridge clearance: Some campgrounds have entrance features that might concern large rig owners. "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," reports a Sutton Falls visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at North Smithfield camping grounds?
Campgrounds near North Smithfield offer varying amenities. Wawaloam Campground provides family-oriented facilities including a swimming pool, splash pad, and recreational activities like bocce ball and horseshoes when in season. Whispering Pines Campground features amenities such as a pool, splash pad, recreation hall, and sports facilities, though availability depends on the season. Most campgrounds in the region offer basic facilities like water access, toilets, and some have RV hookups. Tent campers can find suitable options, while RV travelers should confirm hookup availability as they vary by location.
Where are the best camping places in North Smithfield?
For camping near North Smithfield, George Washington State Campground in nearby Chepachet offers quality sites on Bowdish Lake with good privacy and access to hiking. Another excellent option is Holiday Acres Campground in Glocester, which provides a family-friendly environment with drive-in sites. For a quieter experience, consider Echo Lake Campground in Pascoag, just a short drive from North Smithfield. These campgrounds provide convenient bases for exploring the area while enjoying Rhode Island's natural beauty.
When is the best season for camping in North Smithfield?
The optimal camping season near North Smithfield runs from late spring through early fall (May to October). Burlingame State Park Campground is busiest during summer months when facilities are fully operational and weather is warmest. Late spring offers pleasant temperatures with fewer crowds, while early fall provides beautiful foliage with cooler nights. Many local campgrounds, including Bowdish Lake Camping Area, have reduced services or close entirely during winter months. For the best experience, aim for June through September when all amenities are typically available and weather conditions are most favorable.
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