Bowdish Lake Camping Area Introduce
For Rhode Islanders seeking a traditional lakeside retreat, Bowdish Lake Camping Area offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the rugged beauty of the Blackstone Valley. Located in the historic village of Chepachet within the town of Glocester, this campground has long served as a summertime community for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Spanning over 200 wooded acres and bordering a pristine 300-acre lake, the property provides a quintessential New England camping experience where the sound of the wind through the pines and the gentle lap of water against the shore replace the noise of suburban life. It is designed to be a "home away from home," fostering a sense of community among those who return year after year to enjoy the simple pleasures of the great outdoors.
The campground is distinctly family-oriented, often functioning as a children's camp during the peak summer months with planned activities and a focus on educational nature experiences. While the atmosphere is primarily focused on relaxation and connecting with nature, the facility provides a structured environment for seasonal campers who appreciate a sense of permanence. From morning fishing trips on Bowdish Lake to evening gatherings around a crackling campfire, the site offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to both the adventurous spirit and those looking for a quiet place to unwind. Its reputation as a "hidden gem" in the northwestern corner of Rhode Island makes it a popular choice for local residents who want to escape without the long drive to the coast.
Location and accessibility are among the campground's greatest advantages for regional travelers. Situated at 40 Safari Trail in Chepachet, Bowdish Lake is easily accessible via Route 44 (Putnam Pike), a major thoroughfare that connects the area to Providence and the Connecticut border. The entrance is well-marked, leading visitors down a winding forest road that immediately sets a peaceful tone for their stay. The campground prides itself on inclusive accessibility, featuring wheelchair-accessible entrances, dedicated parking lots, and modified restroom facilities to ensure that all family members can enjoy the grounds comfortably. On-site parking is ample, though guests are encouraged to be mindful of local speed limits and the presence of children and pets throughout the residential loops.
- Full RV Hookups: Most sites are equipped with water, electricity (30 and 50 amp), and sewer hookups to accommodate modern motorhomes and trailers.
- Seasonal Site Options: Many campers choose to secure a spot for the entire season, creating a stable and friendly neighborhood atmosphere.
- Camp Store and Essentials: An on-site store provides camping necessities, including firewood, ice, snacks, and basic grocery items.
- Sanitation Services: The facility includes multiple bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers, as well as a convenient dump station for RV maintenance.
- Waterfront Rentals: Guests can rent canoes and rowboats to explore the vast waters of Bowdish Lake directly from the camp’s private launch.
- Payment Flexibility: The office accepts various forms of payment, including credit cards, debit cards, and modern mobile payment options for a seamless check-in.
The features and highlights of Bowdish Lake Camping Area center around its impressive natural assets and its vibrant social calendar. The lake itself is a focal point for recreation, offering two sandy beaches for swimming and sunbathing. For those who prefer land-based activities, the campground features a playground for younger children and a recreation hall where events like bingo, ice cream socials, and craft workshops are held. One of the more unique highlights is the camp's small petting zoo, where children can interact with miniature donkeys and other friendly farm animals. The surrounding forest also boasts miles of marked hiking trails that connect to the adjacent state management areas, providing endless opportunities for wildlife spotting and birdwatching.
- Two Private Sandy Beaches: Exclusive access to swimming areas on Bowdish Lake, perfect for family cooling-off during hot summer days.
- Pet-Friendly Environment: Dogs are welcome on a leash, allowing four-legged family members to join the vacation in the woods.
- Organized Community Activities: A rotating schedule of weekend events ranging from fishing contests and hay wagon rides to outdoor movie nights.
- Petting Zoo: A dedicated area featuring miniature donkeys and fainting goats, offering a charming educational experience for kids.
- Sports and Recreation: On-site facilities for tennis, basketball, and horseshoes, encouraging active play for all ages.
- Proximity to State Parks: The campground borders the George Washington Management Area, expanding the available terrain for serious hikers and nature lovers.
When considering a stay at Bowdish Lake, it is important to contact the management office directly to inquire about current availability, as many sites are held by seasonal residents. The owners and staff are committed to maintaining a quiet and respectful environment, and they encourage potential campers to review the specific park rules regarding equipment size and pet policies before arrival.
Address: 40 Safari Trail, Chepachet, RI 02814, USA
Phone: (401) 568-8890
What is worth choosing about Bowdish Lake Camping Area is the opportunity to become part of a long-standing Rhode Island tradition. You are choosing more than just a campsite; you are choosing a community where children can roam safely, neighbors help neighbors, and the beauty of the natural world is the primary attraction. It is worth choosing for its private access to one of the cleanest lakes in the region and its commitment to providing a balanced mix of rustic charm and modern convenience. Whether you are looking for a weekend retreat or a summer-long sanctuary, Bowdish Lake offers a serene and welcoming home base in the heart of the Ocean State’s forestlands.
Location
Customer Reviews
On August 9th we came looking for a seasonal site. We were given a list of seasonal sites that would be available for the 2026 season. We picked 2 sites in case the one we really wanted fell through. We went back to the front desk and met the owners wife Carrie. She was very nice this day! Basically said we had to put our deposit down that day and would call us the next day to let us know if the site would be available as they had been having trouble with the current people there letting us know they had bounced several checks and they were waiting on the one to clear from the current season. Charged us for using our card as we didn’t have cash on us but said she wouldn’t hold if we didn’t pay that day! Next day Carrie calls and says we are all set and would have the site we wanted we were so excited! A few weeks later the beginning of sept. We were cleaning off our site that we had given notice for to get this new site at a campground closer to home that was 3x more expensive. Sold all our outdoor equipment and were ready to move the camper. We stopped by to pay the remainder of the season for 2026 and this is where things get hairy. Carrie told us that they had been given a bad review on us (we don’t know anyone there) and they described us as having 5 dogs which is accurate but had only just gotten the 5th dog who was only 8 weeks old. Refused to tell us what the review was other than apparently we jump campgrounds which is not accurate at all. We have been with the last 2 campgrounds for around 3 years. As this is all information she knew when we came to look and knew we would only be bringing 2 dogs at a time. Refused to take our money and told us she would be refunding our deposit as they were no longer allowing us to have our seasonal site anymore. No phone calls, no questions nothing. Never asked for references which we easily could have provided by a least a dozen people from our last campground (which we hardly went to last year). Took 3 weeks to receive our deposit and Carrie grew increasingly rude. Basically blaming her husband for not sending the check when she asked him to. Very poor communication and very poor business. Very disappointed in how things were handled by her! We are quiet and respectful people and get along with just about everyone! Curious to where the bad reviews came from when we don’t know anyone there or why we weren’t given the opportunity to fix or answer to accusations against us that were not true. We obviously realized this was a blessing in disguise but still our kids disappointment was gut wrenching. Curious to know if they send an email to current seasonal letting them know someone is coming in or something because none of what she said made sense at all. Sounds very discriminating if you ask me.
Camped here for one season and it's absolute trash. Don't waste your time. Other people will tell you different but it's a bunch of older people that drive recklessly on golf carts. Dumpsters are constantly overflowing with garbage everywhere outside of them. Owners could care less about anybody camping there. You can tell they're just there for the money. Dump stations were a horrific problem because they weren't open for the last year and a half. After enough people complain they finally open them. (Look up why the DEM fined the campground) Lastly to mention, The power goes out constant over the summer and no one is ever in the office to help with anything. Sometimes power off for days and you can get stuck with the gates down. There's no other way to get in the campground when gates are down. I definitely do not recommend this campground. Stay far away.
Came here on 6-30-2023 to visit friends. We had our 3 kids in the car with us. We pulled into the entrance to register as a guest and upon arriving we were greeted by a dead sheep sitting in the middle of the road from their petting zoo. Our kids started crying and we turned around. Not sure what’s going on with this place. Before we saw the dead sheep we drove by loads of broken down old trucks. Very consistent with the other reviews……… Odd place!
What a great family camping experience! My family has been camping here for over 20 years and I love coming up with my own children now. There are tons of activities, great beaches and awesome fishing! If you are looking for a weekend getaway or some summer long fun this is the place to be!
It could be so much more. The land itself is gorgeous, natural woods, with access to two beautiful lakes and has big private sites. There are flush toilets and pay showers but they are not cleaned or supplied regularly (We ran out of TP in every stall during the 3 days 2 nights we were there) and there's no soap supplied at the sinks. The entrance is a dumping ground for old decaying trucks and power equipment. Some of the playgrounds are old and in derelict condition. There is no camp store. The pros: lots of playgrounds for the kids, big clean sites in a spralling park. The cons: no beach lake access unless you want to walk a 1/2 mile with your cooler and gear or you score a site near the beach with no bathroom access (There's no parking lot dedicated to their lake beaches). This campground is definitely geared towards RVs not so much tents.
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