The Pascoag region sits in northern Rhode Island at around 400-600 feet elevation, making it one of the higher areas in the state. The wooded area receives slightly cooler temperatures than coastal Rhode Island, with summer nights often dropping into the 60s even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s. Camping sites throughout the region feature dense forest cover with predominantly oak, maple, and pine trees.
What to do
Hiking trails around lakes: West Thompson Lake Campground offers well-maintained hiking trails circling the lake. "There are a lot of choices for hiking including a disc golf course," notes a visitor who appreciated the trails at this Connecticut destination just across the state line.
Fishing for families: George Washington State Campground provides fishing opportunities in Bowdish Lake. "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," reports one camper who regularly visits with family.
Water recreation options: Charlie Brown Campground offers river-based activities during summer months. "Arts and crafts, tractor rides, and of course the tubing down the river. Lots of built in entertainment for the kids!" according to a recent review highlighting the riverside amenities.
Disc golf courses: Multiple parks in the region feature disc golf layouts, including West Thompson Lake. A reviewer mentioned that the "disc golf course" is among the recreational options, making it a good alternative activity when you need a break from hiking or swimming.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Bowdish Lake Camping Area features secluded camping spots. "This is a nice family campground. 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 tent camper who appreciated the privacy.
Clean facilities: West Thompson Lake Campground maintains its amenities well according to visitor feedback. "The park rangers and camp staff are super friendly and helpful, and the facilities are kept neat as a pin all the time," notes a camper who has visited multiple times.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds in the region maintain a peaceful environment. "My family and I come here twice a season it's quiet it's calm and never crowded," says one repeat visitor to George Washington State Campground, highlighting the relaxed camping experience.
Large, level sites: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at many area campgrounds. "Sites were big and private spots. I didn't use the restrooms or showers there so I'm not sure about that," reports a weekend visitor to Bowdish Lake, noting the generous site sizing.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the Pascoag area require advance booking, especially during peak summer months. Wells State Park has a strict reservation policy, with one visitor noting the campground is an "Easy and affordable campsite to book."
Seasonal operation: George Washington State Campground operates from "mid April to Columbus Day," while nearby Bowdish Lake Camping Area runs from "May 20 to October 13." Plan accordingly as no facilities are available outside these dates.
Limited swimming options: Not all lakes in the area permit swimming. At West Thompson Lake, a visitor mentioned being "slightly disappointed that the lake was not suitable for swimming (as was posted), but it wasn't a big deal."
Varying bathroom conditions: Facilities quality differs across campgrounds. At Wells State Park, one camper praised "Brand new bathroom/shower facility this year," while others have noted older facilities at some locations.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access options: Wells State Park Campground offers swimming areas for children. "Gorgeous campground. It's red clay instead of sand. I knocked a star because I think the swimming area could be bigger and raked," notes one visitor regarding the swimming beach.
Playground availability: Several campgrounds provide play areas for children. Brialee Family Campground offers extensive recreation options, with one visitor noting "Plenty of activities and things for kids to do; Rec hall, mini golf, shuffleboard, beach, pool, playground."
Kid-friendly activities: Campgrounds often schedule events specifically for younger campers. A visitor to Charlie Brown Campground mentioned, "Arts and crafts, tractor rides, and of course the tubing down the river. Lots of built in entertainment for the kids!"
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds maintain stricter quiet hours than others. "For the most part, people are pretty respectful of the quiet time from 11pm-8am with the exception of the occasional door slammers at the crack of dawn," reports a camper at Brialee Family Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Sutton Falls Camping Area offers various utility connections for RVs. "The site we stayed at (47) took a little leveling to get right but it was pretty nice having views of the water," notes an RVer who enjoyed the waterfront site despite some leveling challenges.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer full sewer hookups. Brialee Campground provides alternatives: "There was not full service sewer hook up, only gray water. There was a dump station," according to a camper who stayed there.
Site sizes for larger rigs: Campground entrance roads and site dimensions vary. At Sutton Falls, a camper observed, "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."
Cell signal considerations: For those needing connectivity during glamping in Pascoag, Rhode Island and surrounding areas, cell service can be unreliable. At Sutton Falls, one camper reported, "Without our antenna we we only had 1 bar of both Verizon and AT&T. No signal at all on T-Mobile/Sprint."
