Cabin camping near Rockville, Rhode Island offers varied experiences across both Rhode Island and neighboring Connecticut. Located in Washington County, the area sits at approximately 200 feet above sea level and experiences moderate temperatures typically ranging from 20°F in winter to 85°F in summer. The region features several small ponds and lies within a 30-minute drive of both the Pawcatuck River and Atlantic Ocean coastline.
What to do
Pond activities: Burlingame State Park Campground offers swimming, fishing, and paddling options on Watchaug Pond. "This is a great family campground. Lots to do and it is massive! You can bike for ever and go to the lake!" notes one camper.
Hiking nearby: Multiple trail networks surround the area with varying difficulty levels. At Hopeville Pond State Park Campground, "There are many trails for hiking and a beach for swimming. There is a boat launch too," reports a visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Several ponds and streams offer fishing opportunities with varying catch rates. "Fishing was decent" at Nature's Campsites, according to one camper. Another noted that "You can launch kayaks, paddle boards, etc right from the site" at the tent-only canoe sites at Hopeville Pond.
What campers like
Cabin variety: Cabins range from rustic to fully furnished across multiple campgrounds. At Mystic KOA, "The campground staff did a great job managing the Covid regulations… We were able to use the pool, facilities and the store and never felt that we were compromised."
Water features: Pools and water play areas rank high on campers' lists. "The pool, splash pad, live music and activities for the kids were great!" raves a visitor to Whispering Pines Campground.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds organize special events, particularly on weekends. At Hidden Acres Campground, visitors enjoy "Arts and crafts for kids. Food sold on weekends at cabin restaurant with outdoor dining."
What you should know
Seasonal differences: Many campgrounds operate with reduced amenities in early spring and late fall. At Whispering Pines, one camper noted: "I believe we camped there too early in the season to fully enjoy the grounds. The pool, splash pad, and nearly everything else was non operational or locked up still."
Site spacing: Privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds and site types. At Nature's Campsites, "The sites are surprisingly close to each other offering little privacy. I'd say they're 10'-15' apart at most."
Reservation timing: Booking well in advance is essential, especially for cabin accommodations. At Burlingame State Park, "You can bike for ever and go to the lake! Camp store literally has anything you would need. Usually pretty busy, you will have neighbors, who can get loud."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Verify pool and splash pad operating hours before booking. "This KOA provides a lot to do for kids and families. The pool is small and usually crowded, but still very well kept. And then there's mini golf, hay rides, and lots of fun planned activities," writes a visitor to Mystic KOA.
Bathroom proximity: Consider the distance from cabins to restrooms when camping with small children. At Burlingame State Park, "Bath houses are usually pretty filthy, and that's because there are too many people per bath house, and people are gross."
Evening activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled evening entertainment. At Whispering Pines, campers can enjoy "weekends that the camp has special things for the kids to do and dj nights, which would be a lot of fun."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some campgrounds have more level sites than others, which affects setup time. At Burlingame State Park, "Hundreds of sites, some level some not, some dirt sites, some grassy, some with a ton of shade, some out in the open."
Power options: Verify electrical hookup details before arrival, especially for air conditioning needs. At Burlingame, a camper notes, "No hook-ups, lol. This is a con in the heat of the summer if you want/need AC."
Dump station access: Not all cabin areas have convenient access to dump stations. Burlingame provides "two dumping spots each with two dumps" according to an RV camper who also mentioned they "would definitely go back."
