NEWS & LIFE
Happy Campers
S o ut h Co unty is a wond er l a nd for campers and hikers of a l l p ersona l i ti es By Robert Isenberg
3,100 acres, 700 campsites, and 20 cabins make Burlingame State Campground a popular spot
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eptember is the perfect time to seek open sky. The dog days have dwindled, and chilly autumn winds aren’t yet blustering. Insects retreat, and leaves start to color. This is the moment for fresh air and campfires, and southern Rhode Island is a rejuvenating destination for both. Once you abandon the highways and ease your car down cur ving rural roads, you find countryside checkered with trees and pasture. Leave your ride on a gravel lot, and trailheads will lead you deep into the leaf y woods. Spend enough time in the forest, and you may want to pitch a tent and spend the night beneath glittering stars. To ease you into these bucolic surroundings, here is a survey of trails and campgrounds in South County. Keep in mind, there’s a surprising amount of land out there, and lots of hidden nooks and crannies. But if you’re looking for a few hours of tromping around, these are good places to start.
Photo by Nick DelGiudice
CAMPSITES THE ACTIVE CAMPER Burlingame State Park is one of Rhode Island’s greatest playgrounds, where you can swim, fish, hike, and mountain bike – all in the same day, if you feel like it – and retire to your tent for some hot dogs and s’mores. This state park boasts 3,000 acres and the sizable Watchaug Pond, a favorite for boaters and anglers. Burlingame State Campground boasts a similar grandeur: there are over 700 tent sites, as well as 20 rustic cabins. (By “rustic,” we mean no utilities, and campers have to bring their own bedding.) Such a gigantic estate often means large groups and some noise, but you can almost always find a vacant spot, even in high season. Charlestown
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THE COZY CAMPER Whispering Pines is gentle on the outdoorsman. For families – and people who like a little comfort with their camping – this homey campground offers well-appointed tent sites near fully equipped restrooms and showers. The cabins have refrigerators, running water, and air conditioning. There’s a snack bar and volleyball court, and if you absolutely have to watch some Netflix, there’s free WiFi as well. But true to its name, Whispering Pines is nestled among tall evergreens, and you won’t find a nicer community of casual campers. Hope Valley THE SEASIDE CAMPER They don’t call it Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground for nothing ; this expansive site is located in coastal Galilee, and no matter which
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direction you walk, you’re bound to hit a major body of water. Most of the regulars know Fishermen’s as a village of campers and RVs, and there are scores of sites to park and hook up. But there is also a cluster of tent sites, and traditional campers can enjoy the same amenities as their motorized neighbors: a playground, a viewing platform, and easy access to beaches, seafood restaurants, and the Point Judith Lighthouse. Ambitious backpackers are also just a mile away from the Block Island ferry dock. Galilee THE ADVENTUROUS CAMPER For 50 years, Fort Getty was a military port, designed to protect Rhode Island shores from invading warships. Today, this 41-acre dollop of land is given over to picnickers, boaters, and people pitching tents, thanks to the town
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