George Washington Memorial Camping Area

I love the 8 mile hiking loop at George Washington.
But my first time camping there didn’t leave me aching for more.
We reserved a tent site — a 10 – 15 minute walk packing everything, including water, in. We chose this site because we wanted to «get away» and not have the noise and crowds of the drive in sites. On our way, we passed a gigantic humming cell phone tower. As soon we we got over a little hill, we brilliantly heard the traffic of the nearest large road. For me these distractions defeated the purpose of hiking in all our our gear for a relaxing weekend getaway.
Other gripes: No recycling. No trash bins anywhere on the beach/​public areas. Whistle happy life guards. Crowds.
Likes: Great value. Small lake was nice for kayaking and swimming. Good for kids.

This is a really cool area to go and hang out for a while. We decided to take the kids on a hike. We had our little one, couple months old that we carried in the woven wrap, our older boys, and other family members with us. We had wanted to go on the 6 mile trail, but accidentally took a wrong turn goofing around and ended up going the entire way. All of it was fairly easy until the last bit, which got a little challenging for the boys, having to navigate the water, rocks, logs, etc. If you have younger kids you are better off sticking with the 6 mile. As soon as the sun started to go down, the bugs were insane but that’s a given for being in the woods.
We did not do any camping but we did pass by some of the little camping houses and they look awesome! We are definitely planning a camping trip here soon.

Awesome retreat from the real world, and SO affordable. Easy to book online, unlike a lot of private campgrounds we were looking at. Very quiet, beautiful, and low-​key. No electric or sewer (no showers, and only porta-​jons), but it’s great to be able to get away without having to drive to NH or Maine. We will be back.

I have not stepped foot on a Rhode Island State Park, but have been trying to plan a camping trip for August since May. After we were booked at the wrong campground which we were told is near the beach and wasn’t and without showers or flush toilets as we were assured were there, we were told we would be charged $ 40 to transfer our reservation to the proper campground. After multiple calls back and lots of frustration we had to pay the fee even though being booked at the wrong campground was not our fault. My camping trip in August will be my first and last trip to RI State Parks

I love affordable camping and the state camps usually fit the bill. This place is a great close get away spot with decent primitive sites. It offers some great hiking and pond activities (fishing canoeing yakin swimming) They only offer porta-​potties for rest rooms but they were very well maintained and clean. It’s a shame that is place doesn’t have a basic playground or shower house.

One of my favorite places to hike in Rhody. The trail mileage is a little less that’ll what is on the sign but with a few detours along the way it will added up. $ 2 a day to hike and well worth it!

We have camped at George Washington a few times — once in a torrential downpour that gave me complete and utter faith in all tent products made by Big Agnes (but I digress)…
The sites are all primitive, but sometimes it is really GREAT to be off the grid and in the woods. If you want to be in touch with nature, and not have loud and rowdy nights — this is the perfect place for you [and your family]. The park rangers do enforce noise — and it’s fires out and no music after 11 pm.
Responding to other people’s reviews:
1. Personally, we liked the lake — we swam in it a lot. Maybe it depends upon which time of year you go. We were there Labor Day weekend, and the lifeguards or RIDEM folks cleared the lake of muck and debris in the swim area. Must like frogs, though.
2. Fire pits: as part of my camping gear, I own a portable, folding, light weight grill rack to put open fire pits. I am surprised that folks are so surprised that the park has no grill racks built in. For less than $ 16 you can own this:
there are other sturdier and more expensive kinds — I just like this one because it folds up and can get stored in any of my gear bags easily.
3. Bathrooms: The portajohns are serviced by United, and the RIDEM staff checks on them to make sure they are not horrific. They are not awesome, but they don’t completely suck. I don’t know why guys miss the urinal — which makes a mess on the floor — which makes me think that folks are not following the no alcohol rule… but, it is what it is… If you stay near the RIDEM offices /​gate on a holiday weekend — that first portajohn gets a LOT of use — so book farther into the park if you can. Bathrooms are the only reason why this park gets four and not five stars.
4. Rocks. Okay — it’s a primitve campsite near a glacial lake. If you understand geology at all, you are going to have rocks at any park near these types of lakes. I’m getting older, and while I can’t completely give in to camping with a huge air mattress (I’m talking about the deluxe 2′ air mattress, not a 1″ air mattress), I DO sleep on a cot now. I find that if I’m in a tent — the cot is the only way to go. Nowdays, cots don’t have a cross beam in the center killing your back.
What I like about GW park is that folks who come here all like the idea of being in the woods.
If you are looking for the party atmosphere that happens at Burlingame — look elsewhere — this is not the place for you.

The best thing I can say about this campsite is that it’s not too far from home. The camping areas were full of rocks (hard on bare feet), the fire pit offered no way to cook food over the fire (you have to get creative or eat cold cuts). The Outhouse and I do mean OUThouse was disgusting, rarely emptied and poorly managed, I’d rather use the nearest bush. The rules and guidlines that the park has are WAY over the top. You go to have fun with friends and family not to be lectured by the rangers for parking or noise or whatever else «they» felt was an issue at the time. Horrible experience overall. Would not offer this site to my worst enemy.

George Washington Park is an awesome place to camp. I ended up finding this camp ground on
and was intersted in going. We stayed on the campsite over night and found out that we will be returning again this summer. All the camp sites are well spaced so your not bordering anyone. Each site is fairly big. They all have the fire pit but only thing it doesnt come with is the fire grate. you make early reservations on line pretty cheap to. The outhouses were surprisininly clean and the water spigots work well.
along with this campground there is a lake and 3 hiking trails. The lake water was a little dissapointing. There was duck poo everywere along with green moss along the water line. We didnt go swimming here. The hiking trails were pretty good. They have a choice between 2 miles, 6 miles and 8 miles all makred with spary paint along the trail. We did the 8 mile hike and it took us about 4 ½ hours. The trails was moderate, lots of woods and rocks to step over and through. Theres lots of streams and a marsh you have to get through. Enough hills within the trail to wear you out.
Overall this is great place to camp and we cant wait to come back.

George Washington Park is a hidden gem in RI. The camping is primitive, which means no electric, water or sewer hookups. However, there are water spigots throughout the campground and plenty of outhouses (kept clean by staff). We loved camping there in our popup and plan to take our larger trailer there soon!
The sites range from huge to standard size, some are fine for RV’s and others are better for tenters (more difficult access). Advance reservations can be made through the website (gives you a map to help). If you’re local, it would be ideal to go check it out so you have an idea of which site will work for you.
The park sits on the shore of Bowdish Reservoir and there is a small beach to cool off. Not a beach that rates a special trip, but picturesque and adequate. Also a boat ramp.
One small star off for not having a dump station. That is a basic service that should be available, especially when no sewer hookups are provided.