Normandy Farms Campground near Foxborough serves as a centralized glamping hub for Providence visitors, located 35 miles southwest of Boston. The campground operates seasonally from April through November, with the 400 sites typically reaching capacity during summer weekends and holidays. This area experiences mild summers with average temperatures of 75-85°F and moderate humidity, making spring and fall ideal for tent camping.
What to do
Hiking trails around Bowdish Lake: Campers at Bowdish Lake Camping Area can access nearby state park trails. "We are first-year seasonal at Bowdish and have loved it. Our site Blue 111 is spacious with lots of privacy," notes John D., highlighting the peaceful setting ideal for nature walks.
Kayaking at Thompson Lake: The lake provides excellent paddling opportunities with wildlife viewing. "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," says Cynthia K. about West Thompson Lake Campground.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds offer on-site disc golf. Jason L. mentions, "We had an excellent experience at this camp ground. The Staff and Rangers were polite and welcoming. We were able to see some boat races and played a round of disc golf on property."
Seasonal festivals: Fall foliage viewing and Halloween celebrations attract campers in October. "We stayed here for a few nights when they celebrated Halloween 🎃. It is super easy to get around. They had tons of festive activities," says Liz W.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Many campers praise the privacy of select tent sites. "Sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice. Grounds were well kept, bathrooms were very clean with hot showers," notes Nick P. at George Washington State Campground.
Adult-focused areas: Some campgrounds offer spaces designated for adults. Taylor B. shares about site selection: "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."
Clean facilities: Modern bathhouses with reliable hot water access stand out in reviews. "The new bathrooms are great! Lots of things to do in the area as well. Great food nearby," mentions Jessica W.
Water access: Ponds and lakes for fishing remain popular even when swimming isn't permitted. Stephanie M. describes Sutton Falls Camping Area: "We were delighted when we learned we had the little peninsula of site P1 all to ourselves. Stunning views across the large pond, and serving as a wonderful halfway rest/respite on the journey."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Reviews consistently emphasize researching specific sites before booking. Ryan A. notes about specific areas: "The A1-A7 sites are remote and hike in, but you're going to have to hike either 0.4 or 0.6 miles through some uneven terrain. The next best group of sites would be 19-24 which are on their own small loop near the lake."
Non-resident fees: Rhode Island state parks charge higher rates for out-of-state campers. "If you're not a Rhode Island resident the fee for most sites is $36/night. Is it worth it? Eh, probably not unless you're really jonesing to camp for a weekend in the Ocean State," one camper observes.
Seasonal crowds: Summer weekends bring capacity crowds to most campgrounds. "This campground is so big there are different camps within the park. Good for pets, there are two dumping spots each with two dumps," notes Andrew P. about Burlingame State Park Campground.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise. Michelle H. shares: "Overall a nice place but pricey for anyone but RI residents," while noting the infrastructure limitations.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Larger campgrounds offer several play areas throughout the property. Samantha S. describes Boston/Cape Cod KOA: "As we pulled around the office we saw all kinds of activities for kids. Bouncy 'pillow', pool, bounce pad, sluice, miniature golf, and a playground."
Off-peak scheduling: School-year weekends offer quieter experiences with fewer crowds. "We stayed there the weekend after Labor Day weekend in 2014, and it was pretty quiet. Nice for biking, cute little beach, dog friendly," notes Katelain T.
Shower quarters: Bring quarters for pay showers common at state parks. "Bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins). Staff was friendly and helpful, with park rangers making regular rounds," advises Nick P.
Cabin alternatives: For glamping in Providence, Rhode Island area with kids, cabin rentals eliminate setup time. "It is a resort campground with pools, frisbee court and etc... This is not a quiet, restful place to stay to visit Boston and the surrounding area or to visit family in town," explains Kathleen S.
Tips from RVers
Level site selection: Many sites require significant leveling, especially at state parks. Sean notes about Sutton Falls: "The site we stayed at (47) took a little leveling to get right but it was pretty nice having views of the water."
Internet connectivity: Cell service varies widely across campgrounds. "Without our antenna we we only had 1 bar of both Verizon and AT&T. No signal at all on T-Mobile/Sprint. With our antenna we got two bars of Verizon and AT&T but it wasn't enough to not drop a few calls," observes a camper at Mystic KOA.
Premium site pricing: Higher-tier sites offer substantially better experiences. "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," advises Janet P.
Off-season advantages: Spring and fall camping provides better site availability. "We planned a brief stop in the Boston area with the intent of seeing the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum," shares one camper, highlighting the advantages of visiting popular glamping destinations near Providence during shoulder seasons.
