Summer Camping at Bowdish Lake, Rhode Island

The summer camping season has arrived. Time to open up the camper, clean out those spiders who used it as a winter lodge and start packing in the necessities.

The next step is to review all the campsite fliers collected through the years and begin making reservations. No matter what your interests, there is a camping area for you to enjoy.

New England has some of the best campgrounds anywhere. They range from oceanside, lake front, wooded or camping riverside. There are even campgrounds in the center of New England towns and at the edge of amusement parks.

If you really enjoy traditional camping with large wooded sites and swimming in a lake rather than a pool, then Bowdish Lake is for you. The area brings back fond memories of pines whispering overhead, campfires, toasting marshmallows and sunfish by the shore, not to mention the croaking of frogs throughout the night.

The campground is located in Glocester, R.I on the 300 acre Bowdish Lake. It also abuts the 3,500 acre George Washington State Park in Blackstone River Valley. It has miles of hiking trails and bike paths for those who really want to enjoy nature. Bird watching is also a favorite activity in the park. Owls, hawks and all types of water birds frequent the many swamps, ponds and rivers in the park.

Bowdish Lake has some of the best bass fishing around. The campground offers boat rentals or you can fish right from the jetty. Children really feel like fishermen with the abundance of sunfish. They can catch one after the other with squeals of excitement at their fishing prowess. Even the bass can be caught from the shore, but you need a little more patience.

Wilbur Pond is also located at Bowdish Campground. It is a 30 acre quiet pond very suitable for canoing and row boats. I wouldn't recommend swimming in the pond though, for there is the legend of the infamous turtle named Wilbur. The legend goes that Wilbur is a massive, ancient turtle. No one knows just how old he is but the estimates are hundreds of years. There are occasional sightings, similar to Nessie from Loch Ness. If you do decide to canoe at Wilbur Pond, keep your toes and fingers out of the water. Wilbur might just be waiting in the depths for a little snack.

Planned family activities are also available after a day of swimming and fishing. Hay-wagon rides, pony rides and horseshoe games are just a few. You can also have a pickup basketball game or tennis at the courts available. When camping with children, plan a few activities to do together also.

In the evening, relax by the campfire. There's nothing like the smell of a campfire on a summer's evening. The campsites are so large and spread out that once night falls, you feel like you are the only ones camping. The darkness is absolute except for the moonlight glowing through the oaks and pines branches above. A great time for a quiet evening with the family, getting to know one another without the interruption of video games or the ringing phone.

Hopefully, the weather will be on your side. If that is not to be; however, the campground is not far from many local attractions. The Mystic Seaport Aquarium in Connecticut is only about an hour from the campground. If you would like to see how the other half lives, tour the Newport mansions. Even Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA is a short drive. An amazing place for both shoppers and history buffs.

Bowdish Lake Campground is a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, offering a chance to reconnect with your family. Go back to a simpler time of quietude, nature and good company.