Arthur D.
Scout
ScoutPine Acres Family Camping Resort
4th of July weekend
It was a hot one! The pool was crowded but that’s to be expected when it was 96 for three days. Clean, fun, and friendly. My son said it was the best campground so far.
Camping near North Smithfield, RI
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
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.
Best Campgrounds near North Smithfield (141)
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. 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 Availability4. Holiday Acres Campground
"The swimming area has a 'icky bottom' (kid term :)) The entrance / office setup is confusing."
from $35 - $65 / night
Check Availability5. 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 Availability6. West Thompson Lake Campground
"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 Availability7. Bowdish Lake Camping Area
"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 Availability8. Sutton Falls Camping Area
"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 Availability9. Douglas Forest RV Resort
"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
Check Availability10. Echo Lake Campground
from $45 - $60 / night
Drive Time
- 13 min from Providence, RI
- 24 min from Worcester, MA
- 43 min from Boston, MA
- 55 min from Norwich, CT
Recent Camping Photos near North Smithfield, RI
295 Photos of 141 North Smithfield Campgrounds
Cathy G.
Echo Lake Campground
Cody F.
Circle CG Farm Campground
Ryan A.
George Washington State Campground
Taylor B.
Bowdish Lake Camping Area
Kimberly M.
Oak Leaf Family Campground
Greg R.
Normandy Farms Campground
paul
Stateline Campresort & Cabins
Travis
Douglas Forest RV Resort
Stephanie M.
Sutton Falls Camping Area
Michael C.
West Thompson Lake Campground
Tricia T.
Hickory Ridge RV Resort
Kevin A.
Sun Ridge Resort
Recent Reviews near North Smithfield, RI
789 Reviews of 141 North Smithfield Campgrounds
Kaileigh K.
GuideFort Getty Campground
Great location!
Fort Getty campground was in an incredible location to Jamestown and with many things to do in the park itself. The tent sites are open field style and some groups can get big so be ready for that. We had tent site 6 and it was tucked back in its own little area which was an awesome surprise. Overall we had a quick stay and everyone we encountered was friendly, bathrooms are older but a short walk from tent area. The access the Jamestown and the surrounding areas and views is what makes this place totally worth it!
- AAshley H.
TravelerMashamoquet Brook Campground — Mashamoquet Brook State Park
Cozy Rustic Campground
Due to the heat wave, I opted not to spend the night, but we did roll through and check out the area. First thing we noticed is how close and open the sites were, with a few exceptions. I attached photos of the more secluded sites I plan to choose next time. Site 49 is what I had reserved and it was large and partially secluded. The bathroom buildings are boarded up across the campground and state park with port o potties in front. I was not eager to check those out… a bucket started feeling like the safer option lol It was quiet but on the more secluded sites, there was ample road noise and you could see the road from some sites. I didn’t get a chance to look for the walkway to the park and river, but I plan to next time. The state park and river nearby was beautiful and quiet and serene with smattering Fourth of July picnics. Overall, I plan to return here when the weather is more cooperative and my car camper is better equipped :)
Kaitlynn F.ScoutSunset View Farms
So fun!
I have 4 kids, 8 and under and they had an absolute blast. We will definitely be back.
- RRalph C.Traveler
Hanscom AFB FamCamp
Worst Military Campground
Published rules are can only be here for 30 days with a three week extension possible. The fact is at least half of the spaces are occupied by full time residents with one resident stating she has been here for two years. The airfield noise is excessive during the day. The airfield closes at 11 PM so at least it is not all night long. We booked a pull through and they wanted to put us in a small back in site with shared utilities. I put my foot down and was given a pull through. On a positive note, the bath house is clean and the laundry room is not over priced
- VVictoria V.Traveler
Hide-A-Way Cove Campground
Just okay
When we arrived at our site we were instantly greeted with an angry resident. He started shooing us away as we were trying to park our camper at our site. He needed to back out and leave but we had only been there no more than 3 minutes before he popped up angrily. There are a lot of long term campers there. Very very unkept campers. Broken down, damaged, some look unlivable. Some may not like the dozens of cats everywhere, but I did. It’s fun to spot a new cat roaming around the campground. The pool is nice and clean. The playground is cute. The Arcade is not worth going to. A lot of the games were broken or empty. Bikes are NOT allowed. My 8 year old son was riding his bike and we were told he couldn’t do that at this campground. The pond/beach area is beautiful. You can try fishing in it. We didn’t catch anything. I definitely don’t suggest swimming in it. It’s not clean enough for that. Camp “store” is very minimal in what they have. Mostly little candy and some minor essentials. There is also a little restaurant attached to the camp store. I like that the sites were grass and not dirt. Or site did not have sewer. We had to go to the dump station to empty black water.
Nancy W.
LegendNewport RV Park
Clean sites, good location.
We stayed here a number of years ago when it was Milleville Ponds Campground and what an improvement! The park is really clean, well mowed, well-packed gravel roads and camping pads. No problem for big-rigs. There are some seasonals but their sites were tidy. About half the campsites are in the woods and half in the open. There are some deluxe sites with paved patios and nicer fire pits but they are really close together and no shade. We really liked our site (#400) which was gravel, long and level. (We would choose 401 if we came back.) The patio had nice grass which our dog loved. The utilities were well-placed and the electric legs were good at 124 volts. I called to see if there was cable tv because there was a connection on our post and was told that some sites had cable. But, when I hooked it up, we didn’t get any channels; however, we got about 60 over-the-air tv channels. Great wifi. Not much for amenities, just a pavilion and playground. There is a public dog park just outside the park that is really big and you can walk a ¼ mile to a hiking trail. There are three airstreams and a 3-bedroom house for rent. The bath house is centrally located. Unfortunately, they are not super close to the tent sites and there is no path through campsites so you either have to walk around or cut through someone’s site. It took us anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes to get downtown (depending on traffic). There are few restaurants nearby and a grocery less than ten minutes away. Overall, we liked how clean and well-kept the park was and enjoyed our site. We stayed eight nights with the average nightly cost at $81and would come back if in the area.
- Richard A.Traveler
Gibson Hill RV Park
Worst I've Been To Blatant Deceptive Advertising
Let me save you from making a grave mistake. The campground was quiet. That's the best thing I can say about Gibson Hill after spending a week there. Totally unkempt and in disarray. The roads are a rocky, dusty rutted mess. The campsites while some newly graveled, not well I might add, are not level. The electric at my site kept tripping off. I finally discovered, with no help from the non-existent management, that the service disconnect breaker was bad. Luckily I had an extra 30A cord and was able to plug into the unoccupied adjacent site. How this abomination has any 5 star reviews is above my pay grade. During the week we were here we never saw a camp representative. We were not welcomed by anyone affiliated with the campground and I never saw anyone on duty in the office. The is NO weekly entertainment. There is NO weekly bonfire. THERE IS NO POOL. Our site had no picnic table and no fire ring and had areas dotted with clumps of gray fur. Obviously noone had inspected our site for cleanliness prior to our arrival. Our first visitor was a 4' rat snake. There was debris strewn all over the grounds. There was one trash container. Unlined and uncovered. No dog poop bags or signs regarding poop pickup. There was a lot of demolition but no new construction ongoing. The“pool” is a 4’ deep square under construction and far from being completed. The“resort” signage was a joke. It took me 3 tries to find my way out of the campground. The entrance sign is installed parallel to the road rather than perpendicular to it for visibility. The number of decrepit or abandoned trailers on site was unbelievable. We were never told if the campground was under new management and/or under going refurbishment. In any event it was missing the mark. Unfortunately we paid for a week in advance so we were stuck here. NEVER AGAIN. I’m leaving this truthful review so no other potential campers are duped into staying here. Definitely an absentee owner who doesn't have a clue. Really too bad because the location and grounds have enormous potential. I will let Happy Grounds and RV LIFE know of my great disappointment and suspect reviews. By the way, to the reviewer who said they enjoyed the pool. THERE IS NO POOL. There is NO on-site management.
nancy B.TravelerHoliday Acres Campground
Worse campground ever
There site map lies. Noisy people. Tons of loud kids. Uneven site. Marijuana smoke by me. Was to stay 3 nights but left the next morning. Total nightmare. And the dust. Even with everything shut up it fill the RV.
Guide to North Smithfield
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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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?
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?
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?
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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