Glamping sites near West Warwick, Rhode Island provide upscale outdoor accommodations within the rolling woodlands of Washington County. The area sits at approximately 200 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate featuring warm summers and moderately cold winters. Most glamping operations in this region operate seasonally from May through October, with a few sites offering year-round availability during winter months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: West Thompson Lake Campground offers catch-and-release fishing in their lake and adjoining river. "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," notes one reviewer who appreciates the natural surroundings.
Hiking trail networks: Multiple trail systems connect campgrounds to larger conservation areas. At George Washington State Campground, visitors can access "hiking trails going around some lakes" according to Joey S., who particularly enjoyed the clean shower facilities as well.
Disc golf courses: Several glamping areas maintain on-site disc golf amenities. "We were able to see some boat races and played a round of disc golf on property," shares Jason L. from West Thompson Lake Campground, who was "pleasantly surprised" by the overall experience.
Biking routes: Extended cycling paths run through many of the camping areas. Burlingame State Park Campground offers extensive biking opportunities with one camper noting, "You can bike for ever and go to the lake! Camp store literally has anything you would need."
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Many glamping locations prioritize privacy between accommodations. At Bowdish Lake Camping Area, campers appreciate the layout: "The site was very secluded and very large which was awesome! Kids had a blast!" reports Stanley K. after a weekend stay.
Waterfront access: Proximity to swimming, boating, and fishing spots ranks highly with guests. "We stayed 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," explains Taylor B. who particularly appreciated the lakefront location at Bowdish Lake.
Modern bathhouse facilities: Clean, updated restrooms make a significant difference in guest satisfaction. Mystic KOA receives high marks for "cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen at a campground," according to Kay B., who describes the property as "clean, comfortable campground aimed more towards glamping."
Pool complexes: Multiple swimming options are available at several locations. Strawberry Park features three pools according to Robert M., who notes the "large campground with 3 pools, many amenities and scheduled activities" creates an ideal glamping environment.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites require advance booking, especially for peak summer weekends. "We snagged a late reservation over a busy summer weekend so the place was packed," shares Nancy W. about her experience at Mystic KOA.
Noise considerations: Some sites are busier and louder than others. Jessica A. from Burlingame State Park Campground warns about "noise/parties/drunks" especially during busy periods, noting "on the weekends people can get out of hand with the partying and it's not uncommon to have to listen to noise late into the night."
Extra fees: Watch for additional charges beyond the base site rate. At Bowdish Lake Camping Area, some guests report unexpected costs for electricity, cable, kayak usage, and pet fees that significantly increased their total expense.
Seasonal variations: Facilities and availability differ throughout the year. Ryan A. from George Washington State Campground notes, "If you're not a Rhode Island resident the fee for most sites is $36/night," highlighting the price difference between resident and non-resident campers.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule around organized recreation programs. Strawberry Park excels with family activities as Ryan C. shares: "My young children LOVE the air pillow, they have spent hours on there. My husband loves playing volleyball in the adult pool, and I love the aqua robins every day."
Site selection: Choose locations based on proximity to amenities. Nancy W. advises at Normandy Farms Campground, "If you want to be up near the action– pool, bar car, and other activities– get a site in the front section. We wanted to be as far away from that as possible."
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary widely between glamping locations. West Thompson Lake Campground maintains "decent bathrooms for a state campground," according to Cameron F., though he notes "they close the gate to enter at 9pm" which requires planning evening activities accordingly.
Playground access: Multiple play areas keep children entertained throughout the day. Michael C. at Normandy Farms notes "kids had fun on the many play grounds" and recommends the pickle ball courts for family recreation.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Check space requirements before booking. At Burlingame State Park Campground, Andrew P. explains the variety of options: "Hundreds of sites, some level some not, some dirt sites, some grassy, some with a ton of shade, some out in the open."
Power considerations: Verify electricity options when glamping near West Warwick. "No hook-ups, lol. This is a con in the heat of the summer if you want/need AC," explains Jessica A. about Burlingame State Park, which despite welcoming RVs "is NOT an RV resort."
Dump station access: Note waste disposal locations and availability. Andrew P. adds that Burlingame offers "two dumping spots each with two dumps" making end-of-stay cleanout convenient despite lacking sewer hookups at individual sites.
Water connection options: Water availability varies between glamping sites. Cynthia K. notes that at West Thompson Lake Campground, "water spigots were not in abundance but were available in each camp."
