Camping options near West Greenwich, Rhode Island typically operate from April through October, with most facilities closing for winter. This region sits in a transition zone between coastal and inland forest environments, creating diverse camping conditions. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day and can drop to the 50s at night, making properly insulated sleeping bags necessary even during warmer months.
What to do
Fishing and paddling access: At Hopeville Pond State Park Campground, water activities are central to the camping experience. "From here, we paddled south to the end of the pond and up the Pachaug River, eventually reaching the dam at Pachaug Pond. It's an 8 mile paddle with some tricky spots to navigate, but very pretty!" The pond offers challenging fishing conditions with specific gear recommendations: "The pond has some really big fish, but it's heavily covered with lily pads and there are submerged trees. If you're going fishing here, a weedless rig is the way to go."
Hiking trail access: The wooded areas surrounding West Greenwich provide numerous trail options. Mount Misery Campground offers "really nice access to the trails for Mt biking or hiking" according to visitors. Another camper noted the variety of natural features within walking distance: "there is some streams walking distance fun to check out I found a lot of crayfish so cool."
Beach proximity: For campers wanting coastal access, Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground provides convenient beach options. One visitor mentioned it's "about a little over a mile walk to Narragansett, an adorable beach community with lots of shops and places to eat as well as close to the ferry to Block Island." The campground's location makes it an excellent base for exploring multiple beaches, with another reviewer noting it's the "Best location ever to the beach."
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: George Washington State Campground draws positive comments for its site layout. One camper observed "Nice campground with big private spots," while another mentioned "Big open sites, really quiet, great place to relax and hike." The campground's remoteness contributes to the quieter atmosphere compared to more crowded options in the area.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse conditions vary significantly between campgrounds. At Fishermens Memorial, visitors consistently mention that "bathrooms were spotless" and praise the "new facilities, clean and quiet campground." George Washington State Campground gets similar positive reviews: "Clean showers" and "nice pay shower and bathrooms."
Water recreation options: Wawaloam Campground in Richmond stands out for its aquatic amenities. "Water and power are good... Beaches 30-40 minutes away," reports one camper who plans to return for a full month. Another visitor enthuses about the "Pools close at 8pm" and "very big sites. The trailer on the door side is probably 50-60 feet away."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds near West Greenwich struggle with noise issues. At Mount Misery, one reviewer warns that "there is a rod and gun club in the forrest and it can be heard throughout the day. Not obtrusive but skittish pups won't like it." Fishermens Memorial also has noise challenges: "No matter where you camp, there are noise issues. Road noise continued throughout the night and there is a wind turbine on the property."
Out-of-state fee structure: Rhode Island imposes significantly higher camping fees for non-residents. At Fishermens Memorial, a camper noted: "a water/electric site for an out of state camper was $45 per night! This was our first visit to a Rhode Island State Park so not sure if they are all like this but this one definitely caters to Rhode Island residents who camp in large RVs! The rates for out of state campers are significantly more than for residents."
Site conditions vary widely: Uneven ground is common at many area campgrounds. At Fishermens Memorial, "Area Two also has full hookups, no view and some of the sites (55-65) are decidedly not level." Similarly, a visitor to George Washington mentioned their "site was very sloped and had a huge tree trunk in the middle. We asked to change but they were booked."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated activity areas: Family-friendly campgrounds offer structured recreation spaces. Stateline Campresort & Cabins provides multiple family-oriented features: "Clean bath house and restrooms, quiet despite there being a pretty full park" and "a big pool and pond to fish at." Another visitor mentioned it has "Kids are welcome" policies with "your pick of shady sites or sites with no trees."
Consider splash pads for summer heat: Wawaloam Campground receives high marks for its water play options. "The pool, splash pad, live music and activities for the kids were great!" reports one camper. Another mentions the "brand new splash pad which was great and a small train ride around the park."
Check bathroom proximity for tent campers: At Whispering Pines, a reviewer warned about "Hike to the bathroom from tent site. Two sites right on top of each other but lots of room. Screaming children all night took away from the peacefulness." This highlights the importance of checking bathroom locations when camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds around West Greenwich have challenging terrain. At George Washington, an RVer mentioned: "Our site was very sloped and had a huge tree trunk in the middle. We asked to change but they were booked." Always bring leveling blocks and check site reviews before committing.
Water and power reliability: Utility quality varies by location. At Whispering Pines, "Water and power are good, no internet to speak of, and many sites do no have sewer, but pump out is low cost and convenient." During peak usage periods, some campgrounds experience power fluctuations.
Dump station access: Several campgrounds offer sanitary dump facilities, but their conditions vary. Hopeville Pond has "a dump station, and recycling," while Fishermens Memorial provides dump stations that are frequently checked and maintained by staff.
