When does the camping season start and end?
We open for the summer season around May 1st, or if May 1st begins on a Saturday
or Sunday we'll usually open up on the Friday before. Our last weekend is
Columbus Day Weekend in October. The Rates or Activities section will give
you exact dates for the current season.
Are you open for year-round camping?
We do have some year-round residents, however space for year-round camping
is extremely limited due to the difficulty of keeping utilities running
and roads plowed over the winter. RVs on seasonal sites and RVs in our
storage area can be left on site year-round and visited by appointment. We
do not do short-term camping during the winter season.
What hours is the office/store open?
The main building, including the office, store, rec hall, and laundromat,
is open every day during the camping season beginning at 8am. On Friday
nights, Saturday nights, and extended holiday weekend nights we stay open
until 10pm. On Sunday-Thursday nights between Father's Day and Labor Day,
we stay open until 7pm. On Sunday-Thursday nights before Father's Day and
after Labor Day, we stay open until 4pm.
When is check-in time and where do I check in?
Normal check-in begins at 2pm and takes place at the main building on your
right as you enter the park. During slower times we offer free early check-in for campsites only, which can be found under the Camping
Specials section. Early check-in can also be arranged with the office for
an additional charge, but early check-in is subject to campsite
availability so PLEASE call us to confirm your site is available before
arriving early.
When is check-out time and how do I check out?
Check-out time is by 11am. Unless you need to return a cabin key or any
borrowed
campground equipment, you are not obligated to stop in
the office to check-out. You simply need to have the site vacated by
check-out time. During slower times we offer free late
check-out for campsites only, which can be found under the Camping
Specials section. Late check-out can also be arranged
with the office for an additional charge. Late check-out is
subject to campsite availability, so please check with us to confirm your
site is available and arrange that BEFORE the 11 o'clock check-out time.
What if I arrive after the office is closed?
If you already have a paid reservation, there will be a map waiting for
you on the front door of the office to direct you to your site. If you can
please call us before the office closes for the day to provide your email,
we can email you a link to check-in online. If you do not already have a
reservation, please call us before the office closes to set one up.
What if there is an emergency or I need to reach
someone after the office is closed?
If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. There is
also an emergency phone number on the back of the map you receive upon
checking-in. Please call this number too so we can be aware of the
situation and direct the emergency vehicles on how to reach you. This emergency
number is also okay to use if there is an after-hours situation that needs
immediate attention, such as a loud gathering on a nearby site, so that we may
address the situation right away for everyone's satisfaction.
Are reservations required?
While they aren't required, they are highly recommended. We book up on weekends
very often and cannot guarantee we will have any sites
available for unexpected arrivals. If you have a specific site in mind or
are looking for a high-demand site (full-hookup, pond-side, big-rig, group
field area, or any of our rental cabins for example) then we recommend
booking as soon as you can to try to get the space you want. You can make
reservations by calling us or by clicking
HERE.
How early can I book a reservation?
We take reservations up to a year in advance. Any customers who camp with
us get the first oppurtunity to reserve their same site for the same stay
the following year, but they must do so before checking out. Once they
have checked out, that site become available to the first interested
party. We have many regulars who book the same stay on the same site year
after year, and we recommend doing so to secure your favorite spot every
summer.
Is a deposit required for a reservation?
All reservations must be paid in full no later than 14 days prior to the
arrival date, in accordance with our 2 week cancellation policy. Deposits
are a minimum of 10% of your total balance (or at least $10) to be paid upon making the reservation, or
(if the reservation was made the year before) after January 1st since we
are unable to take deposits for reservations outside of the current
year.
What if I need to cancel?
If you cannot keep your reservation please give us as much notice as
possible. There is a 10% charge for any cancellation, which is why we
require a 10% deposit to guarantee your stay. If your cancellation takes
place less than 14 days prior to your arrival date, then we are only
able to refund you if we are able to re-rent the site or cabin. If we
cannot, then you are responsible for the cost of the unrented portion of
your original reservation.
What about shortening or moving my stay?
Shortening your stay will result in the cancellation policy applying to
any cancelled portion of the original booking. In many circumstances, we
may be able to permit a minor rescheduling (ex: moving your stay from
Thu-Sun to Fri-Mon instead), but a more significant change to the dates of
your stay will result in the cancellation policy applying to the dates you
are unable to make it, since the site/cabin has been on hold for you for
that specific time and other campers may have been turned away because of
that. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Are
rain-checks allowed?
Since camping is an outdoor activity, we do not give refunds or rain
checks due to inclement weather. On the rare occurrence of extreme weather
phenomena, conditional rain-checks may be awarded.
How can
I pay for my reservation?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit/debit cards in person
and over the phone. Sorry, but we do not accept American Express. You may
also mail us a check or money order, as long as it will be received by the
appropriate due date of your deposit and your full payment. If you live nearby you're also
more than welcome to stop by with your payment in person any time the office is open.
How old do you have to be to make a reservation?
Every group must have at least one adult (18+) who accepts responsibility
for any minors camping with them. At no time during your stay can a minor
be left unattended at the campground.
Is there a limit
to the number of RVs, tents, or people per site?
You may only have one RV per campsite, though you are welcome to pitch a
tent alongside it if you need to. There is no limit to the number of tents
per site as long as they all fit on the site without encroaching on the
road or other campsites. There is a limit of 4 adults per campsite and 6
adults per cabin, though you may have as many kids per campsite as you
can accommodate.
What is the guest policy?
Guests are welcome to visit you during your camping trip, though
additional fees do apply. Guests visiting just for the day are allowed to
be at the campground from 8am to 10pm, and the day visitor fees are $5 per each
adult (18+). Overnight guests are also allowed for $10 per each adult and
are welcome to stay until 10pm the following night or until you check out
of your site, whichever comes first. Guests will not be permitted if they
exceed the maximum 4 adults per site or 6 adults per cabin limit. All guests must register at the
campground office upon arrival, even if they are in your car. All cars
must have a visible valid car pass on them at all times while at the
campground.
How many cars can I have on my site?
You are welcome to have two cars on your site as long as they do not hang
out onto the road at all. If you have a guest visit or if you cannot fit
your car onto your site for any reason then you must park at one of the
designatedguest parking areas around the campground. Roads must be kept clear in
case of emergency, so we will ask you to move your car if it is improperly
parked. All cars must have a visible valid car pass on them at all times
while at the campground.
Can I bring a golf cart? How
about an ATV?
Golf carts are only permitted for seasonal campers with proper insurance
and documentation. Due to our insurance limitations we cannot permit golf
carts for use by non-seasonal campers, sorry. We do not allow ATVs to be
used on the campground at all, but if you need to bring one to use at a
local off-roading spot you may keep it in the back of your truck or on a
trailer while inside the park.
Are pets allowed?
We know pets can be as much a part of your family as anyone else, and they
are welcome to join you. However, your pet must be up-to-date on all
vaccinations, kept inside your trailer or on a leash at all times, and
always cleaned-up after. Dogs that are aggressive or who bark constantly
should be left at home for the safety and comfort of the other guests.
Pets are not allowed in any public building (bathrooms, store, rec hall),
in rental trailers, or in cabins unless approved by the office, so please let us know if you plan to bring a pet
with you when booking a rental unit.
Is alcohol
allowed?
Yes. In fact, we even sell beer and wine in the campground store (ID
required). However, please drink responsibly and be respectful of those
around you.
Is smoking marijuana
allowed?
No. As a family park we do not tolerate marijuana or any federally-classed
illegal drug use in the park.
Where is the closest big supermarket?
While we sell a number of last-minute items in the store, there are also
big supermarkets just a town away. The Southwick Big Y and the Westfield
Big Y and Stop &
Shop are the closest, located approximately 15-20 minutes from the park. Both
towns also have other stores where you can buy those other important items you forgot to
pack, including Walmart, Ocean State Job Lot, CVS, and many others.
Where can I find restaurants?
If you're looking for a quick meal, the campground snack bar offers
burgers, hot dogs, fries, chicken tenders, homemade pizzas, and a number
of other items for your convenience.
You can find our snack bar menu and hours
HERE. We also host a breakfast buffet every
weekend through Labor Day. You can find our breakfast menu and hours
HERE.
Alternatively, Southwick boasts a number of fine restaurants from fast food chains to
local grab-and-go style eateries to pizzerias and family dining, all less
than
20 minutes from the campground.
Do the campground
activities cost money?
Most of our planned activities are free, though there are sometimes
themed dinners we host that require paid reservations, and there are also
activities like bingo, raffles, and charity events that require cash to
participate. We
also have an 18-hole miniature golf course for $4 per person, laser tag for $5 a
person per game, a gemstone and fossil mining sluice
which runs for $6 to $12, DVD movie rentals for $3 each, and an arcade.
Otherwise the events and activities are free of charge.
Can I bring my own firewood? Does the campground sell
firewood?
We do still allow our campers to bring their own firewood, but please
inspect it first to make sure it is free of disease and insects so that
our trees stay healthy. We do also sell firewood though. A crate of wood is
$7, but large groups and extended stays may be more interested in buying a
"bucket" for $50 (which is about 1/6 cord), or a 1/2 cord for $135. If you would like
one of these larger options, please let us know before you
arrive so we can have it ready for you as we are unable to provide
anything other than the smaller crates over the weekend (after 3-3:30 p.m. Friday
until Monday morning).
Where can I get my propane
tank filled?
We have a propane filling station at the campground where we can fill 20lb
and 30lb propane tanks.
When is the pool open?
The pool is open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, from 10am to 8pm
(or dusk) every day. We host night swims usually on Thursday and Sunday
nights where we keep the pool open until 9:30pm. There are two adult swim
hours daily, at 1-2pm and 5-6pm, when only adults (18+) are allowed in the
pool area.
Can we swim in the ponds?
No, sorry. At this time our ponds are not licensed by the state for public swimming. Peter's Pond is for
catch-and-release fishing and Gaintner Pond has paddleboat rentals and
is suitable for other small, non-motorized boats.
When do the bathhouses close?
The bathhouses are open 24/7 during the summer camping season, except for the two
main cleaning times per day, which begin at 10am and 9pm.
Do the showers cost money?
No, our showers are free, hot, and cleaned daily!
What do the
sites come with?
All sites have a fire ring and picnic table. They also all have a potable
water spigot on or near the site. Most of our sites have electricity, and
a handful of them have sewer hookups. If you are staying in a cabin please
check the
Cabins Section to see more information about
them.