Yurt camping near Riverside, Rhode Island offers diverse options in the state's forested regions where elevations rarely exceed 800 feet. The camping season typically runs from mid-April through October, with July and August temperatures averaging 80°F during the day and 65°F at night. Seasonal considerations impact water levels at several campgrounds, particularly after heavy spring rains when some trails become temporarily impassable.
What to do
Disc golf courses: West Thompson Lake Campground features a complete disc golf course among its hiking trails. As camper Cameron F. notes, "Large campsites, nice basketball court... only complaint is that they close the gate to enter at 9pm." The campground provides access to both water-based activities and land recreation.
Kayaking and fishing: The French River at George Washington State Campground provides excellent paddling opportunities. "My family and I come here twice a season. It's quiet, calm and never crowded. There's fishing and hiking right in the park," reports Nick S. Catch-and-release fishing is popular during spring and fall seasons.
Hiking trail networks: Miles of interconnected trails run through Myles Standish State Forest, linking various kettle ponds. A camper explains, "We biked one morning and enjoyed watching the people catching good sized fish around us. The beach (at least at Charged Pond) had a nice sandy section and a bathhouse." Trail difficulties range from easy to moderate with minimal elevation changes.
Beach swimming: Multiple pond beaches remain open throughout the summer camping season. According to Thomas M., "This is a lovely campground with a beautiful beach, new pay shower and bathrooms. We enjoyed swimming and fishing." Water temperatures at most ponds reach comfortable swimming levels by mid-June.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Bowdish Lake Camping Area offers secluded tent sites with natural privacy barriers. "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," shares Taylor B. Sites are set among pine and oak forests that provide natural shade.
Multiple swimming options: Burlingame State Park Campground has a dedicated swimming area with lifeguards during summer months. "Nice for biking, cute little beach, dog friendly. Bring quarters for the showers," advises Katelain T. The campground maintains separate swimming areas for families with small children.
Yurt accommodations: Yurt camping near Riverside provides alternatives to traditional tent camping. Jean T. from Normandy Farms notes, "This campground is so well run I felt like I was in Disneyland's Frontier Land. They offer anything you could want. Spotlessly clean and wonderful employees. The yurts are beautiful." Yurts typically include wooden floors, canvas walls, and basic furniture.
Lean-to structures: Some campgrounds offer covered lean-to structures that simplify setup. "We stayed at one of their lean-to sites a few years ago with 3 other friends and had a good time. Very convenient to have the elevated space to sleep and store items in," explains Jeremiah F. about West Thompson Lake Campground.
What you should know
Shower facilities: Pay showers are common at state parks. Nick P. advises about George Washington Campground: "Grounds were well kept, bathrooms were very clean with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins). Staff was friendly and helpful, with park rangers making regular rounds."
Seasonal price variations: Non-resident camping fees can be substantially higher. "No hook-ups yet it cost $36 for out of state residents plus the fees which put it up to $44. Also only one bathhouse so port-a-potties along the road," points out Michelle H. about George Washington Campground.
Gate closure policies: Some campgrounds restrict late-night entry. "Decent bathrooms for a state campground, only complaint is that they close the gate to enter at 9pm," notes Cameron F. about West Thompson Lake. Call ahead to confirm specific gate hours if planning late arrivals.
Site selection strategy: Boston/Cape Cod KOA offers various site types with significant differences. Janet P. advises: "I have learned that you really need to upgrade to the better campsites to enjoy your stay. With that being said I did not take my own advice and I booked a basic 30 amp fullhook up campsite and it was so tight that unfortunately I did not enjoy it as much as I wanted to."
Tips for camping with families
Activity schedules: Check daily programming calendars at family-focused campgrounds. Liz W. shares about Normandy Farms: "We stayed here for a few nights when they celebrated Halloween 🎃. It is super easy to get around. They had tons of festive activities. They have an indoor and an outdoor pool."
Playground options: Multiple play areas help keep children engaged. "The kids ride their bikes to the sports fields, the rec center for the pool and activities. Oh and my young children LOVE the air pillow, they have spent hours on there," explains Ryan C. about Strawberry Park.
Off-season timing: Camping outside peak summer months provides more space. Kyle C. notes about Myles Standish: "If you stay on a Friday or Saturday night, the campground may be to capacity. But the Sunday, and Monday nights, the 7 closest spots to us were empty, it was like having the woods to ourselves."
Pool considerations: Pool hours and conditions vary significantly. Amy G. reports: "The pool was green the first day we were there, but the filters were quickly fixed and it was back to normal. There were unaccompanied children in the pool who were extremely rude, swearing, jumping on people."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional preparation. Desiree M. explains about Myles Standish: "Some spots run closer to main road than others so you can hear the cars go by. Nice ponds. Some sites are on slight inclines and have a lot of roots so it makes having more than one tent hard."
Dump station availability: Consider campgrounds with accessible facilities. Andrew P. observes about Burlingame: "There are two dumping spots each with two dumps. I would definitely go back." Most state campgrounds provide dump stations near the entrance/exit for easy access.
Premium site investments: Consider upgrading at busy campgrounds. According to Samantha S., "All the sites we saw had trees for shade. It was a very busy place but everyone seemed happy to be there. As the weekend went on we drove thru the whole campground just to check out the rest."
Extended stay options: For longer visits, seasonable rentals offer better value. John D. shares about Bowdish Lake: "We are first-year seasonal at Bowdish and have loved it. Even with Covid-related restrictions we have had a great year. Our site Blue 111 is spacious with lots of privacy."
