George Washington Campground

George Washington Campground, or the George Washington Memorial Camping Area as it's more formally known, is a 100-acre campground tucked away within the 4,000 acres of the George Washington Management Area. Sitting on the shores of Bowdish Reservoir, this peaceful area offers relaxed camping for dog lovers and their furry friends.

The campground features 45 gravel sites for tents, trailers, and RVs. There are no electrical hookups, but you can access water from a number of shared spigots spread throughout the campground -- there's even a special doggy water fountain for thirsty pooches.

While George Washington Campground previously only offered primitive camping, the recent construction of a new restroom, shower building, and dump station mean it's now a whole lot more comfortable. The campground is also clean, quiet, and usually relatively uncrowded, and there's ample space between sites.

For an even more remote camping experience, sites A1 to A7 on the Angell Loop can't be reached by car and are only accessible via a 0.6-mile hike. Sites feature a 12'x12' tent platform, and there's no water available, so all your supplies must be carried in and out. Unfortunately, you may notice traffic noise on some sites. Finally, there are also two Adirondack-style shelters available for group camping (groups of up to 20 people).

Camping season starts the second weekend in April and runs until the end of October, and tent-only sites are $14/night for Rhode Island residents or $20/night for non-residents.

If you want to stay the night in George Washington Campground with your canine pal, you'll first need to fill out a Pet Certification Form. Available for download from the Rhode Island State Parks website, this form requires you to enter your pet's name, breed, gender, and color, as well as specify your camping dates. You'll also need to sign a declaration confirming that your pooch is registered, licensed, and vaccinated against rabies, plus ensure that your pet is kept on a leash of six feet or shorter when exploring the campground.

And there's plenty for you to explore! Surrounded by deciduous and evergreen forest, the park offers several well-marked hiking trails plus a sandy swimming beach. There's a boat launch ramp for those looking to get out on the water, and fishing, canoeing, and kayaking are all popular pastimes on the reservoir.

If you're searching for somewhere to take a family-friendly camping trip on Rhode Island, the George Washington Memorial Camping Area has plenty to offer. So why not book yourself a site and check it out?