Cabin camping options within a 30-mile radius of Smithfield, Rhode Island, include both state-managed and privately-owned facilities. The region features a mix of rural countryside and small wooded areas with terrain that varies from flat to gently rolling hills at elevations between 200-500 feet. Most cabins remain open from April through October, though some private campgrounds operate year-round with winterized cabins.
What to do
Hiking at Douglas State Forest: Near Douglas Forest RV Resort, trails lead through mixed hardwood forests and past glacial features. "You're literally steps away from Douglas State Forest, which made morning hikes and evening strolls absolutely magical," notes a visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Ponds and small lakes provide good fishing conditions at several campgrounds. At Stateline Campresort & Cabins, "Clean, wooded and open sites some overlook a large pond. Boat rentals, pool, game room available. The site we had overlooked the pond and was perfect," according to one camper.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds maintain disc golf courses as recreational options. "Has great hiking trails going around some lakes," mentions a camper about George Washington State Campground, adding details about other amenities.
Paddling opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer pond or lake access for kayaking and canoeing. "This campground is very small and quiet, but the lake and adjoining river offer hours of fun for small craft. Take a long paddle up the river and you'll be escorted by hundreds of bluebirds and cedar waxwings," reports a camper at West Thompson Lake Campground.
What campers like
Quiet weekday camping: Less crowded conditions during weekdays provide a more peaceful experience. "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 visitor about George Washington State Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses with reliable hot water rate highly among campers. "Sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice. 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," notes a camper.
Family-oriented activities: Programmed weekend activities keep children engaged. At Normandy Farms Campground, "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. The restrooms are clean."
Tent-only site options: Some campgrounds designate areas exclusively for tent camping, creating quieter zones. "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 a camper at West Thompson Lake.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Request specific site information when booking cabin accommodations. A visitor to Sutton Falls Camping Area advises, "Cute quiet place with a lake. Family run very friendly. They only thing I didn't love is they remodeled one set of bathrooms in the back and the front was the old set. All in all I would go again would just pick a site behind the lake not up front."
Seasonal population: Many campgrounds maintain a high percentage of seasonal campers who return annually. "This is primarily a seasonal/long-term resident park rather than a traditional camping resort. The site composition includes many permanent residents, which creates more of a residential community feel," explains a camper.
Maintenance variations: Facility quality can vary significantly between campgrounds and between sections within the same property. "The sewer on my site overflowed after only ~15-20 gallons of dumping," reports one camper, while others note excellent maintenance at the same facility.
Reservation windows: Most cabin facilities book 6-12 months in advance, particularly for summer weekends and holidays. Book early for prime dates, especially between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select cabin sites near play areas for convenience with young children. A visitor to Holiday Acres Campground reports, "We went on a Wednesday for a 5 day 4 night trip with the family. At first there was a little confusion at the office of where I was supposed to be... they accommodated us very well and we were reassigned to 178 and it was a nice level decently large site that we were very happy with."
Off-peak value: Consider spring or fall camping for reduced rates and crowds. "We planned a brief stop in the Boston area with the intent of seeing the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and Normandy Farms appealed to us for various reasons. One reason was the fact that they have dog walkers that will come to your site and take care of your precious pooch while you are away," notes one camper.
Activity scheduling: Many campgrounds offer structured weekend programming for children. "They have a really long list of amenities for this campground... During the busy summer months there is a long list of activities ranging from yoga to kids games," reports a visitor.
Swimming options: Not all water features permit swimming, so confirm before booking if this is important. "The lake is pretty but you cannot swim or eat the fish. There are a lot of choices for hiking including a disc golf course," mentions a camper at West Thompson Lake.
