🌤 Weather at George Washington State Campground by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27–68 °F | 56–80 °F | 33–72 °F | 18–40 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at N Foster 1 E, 5 mi away, elevation 630 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Rhode Island’s Primitive Forest Campground — 45 Wooded Sites on 226-Acre Bowdish Reservoir, 4,000-Acre Management Area, Adirondack Shelters, Hike-In Tent Platforms
George Washington State Campground is a state campground at 2185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, Town of Glocester, Rhode Island. The campground features 45 well-spaced gravel campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs (no hookups), 7 hike-in tent-only platforms on the Angell Loop requiring a 0.6-mile carry-in, 2 Adirondack-style group shelters, swimming beach on the 226-acre Bowdish Reservoir, and location within the 4,000-acre George Washington Management Area.
George Washington is Rhode Island’s premier primitive camping destination — situated within 4,000 acres of continuous forest in the state’s rural northwest corner. The 45 wooded campsites are well-spaced along gravel pads (20–45 feet) with shared water spigots but no electrical or water hookups — this is real camping, not glamping.
For the most adventurous campers, the Angell Loop offers 7 tent-only platforms requiring a 0.6-mile hike-in — carry-in, carry-out with no vehicle access. The 226-acre Bowdish Reservoir provides fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming from a designated beach area.
Camping
| Site Type | Count | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Sites | 45 | Gravel pads 20–45 ft, tents/trailers/RVs, no hookups |
| Angell Loop (Hike-In) | 7 | Tent platforms, 0.6-mi carry-in, carry-in/carry-out |
| Adirondack Shelters | 2 | Group camping — by reservation |
Season: Second weekend of April through end of October. Reservations via RI State Parks system.
Things to Do
- Primitive camping — 45 wooded sites, no hookups
- Hike-in camping — Angell Loop tent platforms
- Fishing — 226-acre Bowdish Reservoir
- Kayaking/canoeing — reservoir access
- Swimming — designated beach
- Hiking — 4,000-acre management area trails
- Mountain biking — designated trails
- Bird watching — extensive forest habitat
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 2185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI |
| Management Area | 4,000 acres — George Washington Management Area |
| Reservoir | Bowdish Reservoir — 226 acres |
| Season | 2nd weekend April – end October |
| From Providence | I-6 W to Rt 295 N to Rt 44 W — ~13.5 mi |
| Managed By | RI Dept of Environmental Management |
| Coordinates | 41.9175° N, 71.6814° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
George Washington SC — in the George Washington Management Area. The campground’s hardwood forest, pond, and trails support white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and songbirds.
Nearby Attractions
Chepachet — nearby. Glocester — surrounding.
Does George Washington Campground in Rhode Island have hookups?
No — George Washington State Campground in Chepachet, Rhode Island, is a primitive camping facility with 45 gravel sites but no electrical or water hookups at individual sites. Shared water spigots are available throughout. The campground sits on the 226-acre Bowdish Reservoir within the 4,000-acre George Washington Management Area. Season runs from April to October.
What is the Angell Loop at George Washington Campground?
The Angell Loop is a set of 7 tent-only platforms at George Washington State Campground that require a 0.6-mile hike-in from the main campground. These are carry-in, carry-out sites with no vehicle access — ideal for campers seeking a more remote, primitive experience within the 4,000-acre management area in Glocester, Rhode Island.
Last updated: May 2026
More parks nearby: Pulaski State Park is a short drive away, while Snake Den State Park lies a short drive away.
⛺ Camping at George Washington State Campground: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | RI DEM describes the campground as a combination of 74 well-spaced gravel sites suitable for trailers and RVs, plus hike-in tent sites, 2 group camping sites, and 4 cabins. Angell Loop sites A1-A7 (7 sites) and Hill Sites T1-T5 (5 sites) are the hike-in tent sites. No electric, water or sewer hookups at any site; bathrooms consist of flush toilets in the shower facilities plus solar-powered standalone composting toilets. Sites are limited to either two tents and two vehicles per site, or one camper/RV/trailer plus one tent and one vehicle in addition to the tow vehicle or drivable unit itself. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | 4 cabins, rate $50 resident/$75 non-resident per night (Primitive Cabin tier, no water or electric). Cabins have two bunk beds with boards for the base; mattresses and bedding are not provided (air mattresses recommended). Maximum 4 persons inside the cabin; cabin site overall limited to 6 persons and the number of vehicles listed in the site description. One tent per cabin site is allowed; no RVs, campers, trailers or pop-ups permitted on cabin sites. Pets are allowed in cabins. |
| Pets | Up to two dogs or cats per Primary Occupant are welcomed at George Washington State Campground. Pets must be leashed (max 6 feet) with a current rabies vaccination certificate available for inspection. |
| Reservations | Book online via Reserve America or call 1-877-742-2675; reservations open up to 12 months in advance. Non-refundable $8.75 reservation fee. Sitewide RI DEM cancellation policy applies: full refund minus fees 8+ days before arrival, one-night penalty 2-7 days before arrival, no refund under 2 days before arrival. No check-ins before 1:00 PM. |
| Special sites | Angell Loop sites A1-A7 are hike-in only with no vehicle access, approximately 0.4 mile along a trail that becomes rocky and uphill in sections; drinking water is not available at these sites (closest water is near Site 30 in the main campground). Hill Sites T1-T5 are hike-in only but have vehicle parking close to the campsites and drinking water available nearby. Two cabin-style shelters are available for group camping, each limited to 20 persons and up to 20 vehicles. Septic Dump Station is free for registered campers; due to capacity limits, non-campers are not allowed to use it. When the campground is in operation, use of the swimming area and parking lot is restricted to registered campers only. A pilot program reserves 3 parking spaces plus 1 accessible space at the Bowdish Reservoir Boat Ramp for non-campground users with DEM Fish & Wildlife permits, from the second Friday in April through October 31; campground users may not reserve or use these spaces. |
| Season notes | 2026 season start: Friday, April 10. Located within the 4,000-acre George Washington Management Area on the shores of Bowdish Reservoir. Peak Season is the Thursday before Memorial Day through Labor Day Sunday; Off-Peak Season is Labor Day through the Wednesday before Memorial Day. |
Camping questions about George Washington State Campground
Can you camp at George Washington State Campground?
RI DEM describes the campground as a combination of 74 well-spaced gravel sites suitable for trailers and RVs, plus hike-in tent sites, 2 group camping sites, and 4 cabins. Angell Loop sites A1-A7 (7 sites) and Hill Sites T1-T5 (5 sites) are the hike-in tent sites. No electric, water or sewer hookups at any site; bathrooms consist of flush toilets in the shower facilities plus solar-powered standalone composting toilets. Sites are limited to either two tents and two vehicles per site, or one camper/RV/trailer plus one tent and one vehicle in addition to the tow vehicle or drivable unit itself.
How do you reserve a campsite at George Washington State Campground?
Book online via Reserve America or call 1-877-742-2675; reservations open up to 12 months in advance. Non-refundable $8.75 reservation fee. Sitewide RI DEM cancellation policy applies: full refund minus fees 8+ days before arrival, one-night penalty 2-7 days before arrival, no refund under 2 days before arrival. No check-ins before 1:00 PM.
Are there cabins at George Washington State Campground?
4 cabins, rate $50 resident/$75 non-resident per night (Primitive Cabin tier, no water or electric). Cabins have two bunk beds with boards for the base; mattresses and bedding are not provided (air mattresses recommended). Maximum 4 persons inside the cabin; cabin site overall limited to 6 persons and the number of vehicles listed in the site description. One tent per cabin site is allowed; no RVs, campers, trailers or pop-ups permitted on cabin sites. Pets are allowed in cabins.
Are pets allowed at the George Washington State Campground campground?
Up to two dogs or cats per Primary Occupant are welcomed at George Washington State Campground. Pets must be leashed (max 6 feet) with a current rabies vaccination certificate available for inspection.
Source: riparks.ri.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at George Washington State Campground
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Domestic animals are allowed in Rhode Island state parks but must be leashed and under a handler's control at all times.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash no more than 6 feet in length required (up to 25 feet in state management areas)
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- No animals allowed on any state bathing beach, East Beach/Ninigret or Burlingame Picnic Area from April 1 through September 30
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- No cabin lodging program; camping allows a maximum of two pets (dogs or cats) per campsite, but pets are not permitted at Charlestown Breachway or East Beach campgrounds
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Current rabies vaccination certificate required for camping pets; e-collars/e-leashes do not count as leashed
Are dogs allowed at George Washington State Campground?
Domestic animals are allowed in Rhode Island state parks but must be leashed and under a handler's control at all times. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via rules.sos.ri.gov. More: Rhode Island state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
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