Campsite Manitoo, Hopkinton, RI

Introduction / Overview

Campsite Manitoo offers Rhode Island's local adventurers a quintessential rustic group camping experience deep within the state's southwestern wilderness. Located on the vast 1,800-acre Camp Yawgoog Scout Reservation in Rockville, Campsite Manitoo is primarily available for organized group reservations during the serene off-season, typically spanning from early September through the middle of April. This timeframe allows local residents to fully appreciate the reservation’s natural beauty when the crowds of summer have receded, revealing a tranquil and deeply forested environment.

Manitoo is designed for traditional tent camping, requiring groups to be self-sufficient and prepared for an authentic outdoor stay. It provides a spacious, dedicated area large enough to comfortably host multiple tents, making it an excellent choice for local clubs, organizations, and extended family gatherings seeking a communal yet secluded outdoor retreat. While maintaining a primitive feel, the site’s strategic location within the larger Camp Yawgoog infrastructure means that essential, year-round facilities are accessible, providing a balance between rugged adventure and necessary comfort. Campsite Manitoo embodies the spirit of Rhode Island’s quiet corner, offering an opportunity for locals to explore marked trails, enjoy starlit nights, and build essential outdoor skills in a safe, historic setting.

The experience here is about disconnecting from urban life and immersing your group in the natural rhythm of the Rhode Island woods, ensuring a memorable and restorative break from the everyday.

Location and Accessibility

Campsite Manitoo is a designated camping area situated within the extensive boundaries of the Yawgoog Scout Reservation, which has its administrative address in Rockville, RI 02873. The reservation itself spans a significant portion of the region, ensuring a true wilderness feel that is highly valued by local campers.

For Rhode Island users, the drive to Camp Yawgoog is conveniently located near major highways that connect the urban centers to the southwestern corner of the state. The main entrance to the reservation can be found at 61 Camp Yawgoog Rd. The accessibility of Manitoo specifically reflects its rustic nature; while not a strenuous hike, it is generally considered a tent site intended for groups that are ready to carry their gear a short distance from the parking area. Upon arrival, groups must first check in with the Campmaster, typically at the central Bucklin Building, for site assignment and detailed instructions on parking and access routes, ensuring a smooth transition into the reservation’s deep woods environment. Its relative seclusion ensures privacy while still being part of the well-managed and safe environment of Camp Yawgoog.

Services Offered

Campsite Manitoo focuses on providing fundamental services necessary for a successful group tent camping trip, particularly during the cooler, less-serviced off-season months (September–April):

Spacious Tent Area: The site is configured to accommodate a large number of tents, making it ideal for group outings such as Scout Troops, hiking clubs, or large family reunions.
Fire and Cooking Facilities: Each campsite is equipped with a designated fire pit for traditional campfires and cooking, subject to current fire safety regulations.
Picnic Tables: Sturdy outdoor picnic tables are available on the site for communal dining and group activities.
Water Access: On-site water access is often available through the early fall (typically through October). During the colder winter and early spring months, fresh water is reliably accessible from the central, year-round facilities at the Bucklin Building.
Restroom Facilities: Manitoo relies on clean, on-site portable toilets (porta-potties) for immediate use. For those preferring modern conveniences, full flush toilets are available year-round at the Bucklin Building, a central hub within the reservation.
Wood Availability: Slab wood is generally provided at or near the campsite for group use, assisting campers in maintaining a warm fire during their stay.

Features / Highlights

What sets Campsite Manitoo apart for Rhode Island campers is its perfect balance of wilderness immersion and operational support:

True Wilderness Feel: Manitoo provides one of the more secluded and deeply wooded camping experiences within the Yawgoog property, offering significant quiet and privacy, which is a key draw for local nature lovers.
Direct Trail Access: The campsite serves as an excellent basecamp for groups intending to hike or explore the vast, interconnected trail network of the 1,800-acre reservation, including trails leading to Yawgoog Pond, Wincheck Pond, and Hidden Lake.
Proximity to Program Areas: While rustic, Manitoo is conveniently close to shared reservation facilities like the Campmaster check-in and the Arthur Livingston Kelly Environmental Education Center (Nature Center), allowing groups to easily access educational resources and staff support.
Group Capacity and Safety: The generous space capacity of the site makes it a secure and practical choice for large organized groups, operating under the safe and responsible management of the Narragansett Council.
Year-Round Camping Opportunity: Manitoo provides a robust tent camping option during Rhode Island’s tranquil off-season, filling a niche for dedicated local campers who wish to enjoy the outdoors outside of the busy summer period.

Contact Information

Campsite Manitoo is managed as part of the weekend and off-season camping program at the Camp Yawgoog Scout Reservation, which is owned by the Rhode Island Boy Scouts and operated by the Narragansett Council.

Address: Rockville, RI 02873, USA (General Camp Yawgoog address: 61 Camp Yawgoog Rd.)

Phone: For all off-season camping reservations, availability, and specific inquiries about Campsite Manitoo, locals should contact the Narragansett Council’s reservation department. A reliable contact number for Camp Yawgoog inquiries is typically (401) 539-2311.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Campsite Manitoo is an ideal destination for Rhode Island locals, especially those connected with youth groups, hiking clubs, or anyone simply seeking an authentic, nature-focused escape close to home. Its key appeal lies in its seclusion—it offers a real sense of being "away from it all" within a short drive of every major population center in the state.

Rhode Islanders value the efficiency of a weekend trip, and Manitoo delivers: it provides the immersive environment of a deep woods campground while still having the benefit of managed safety and essential amenities (like the nearby flush toilets and reliable check-in process) provided by the Camp Yawgoog Reservation. For local families and organizations committed to fostering self-reliance and an appreciation for the outdoors, Manitoo is an unmatched resource. It’s where generations of Rhode Islanders have learned to camp, hike, and enjoy the state’s beautiful inland waterways and forests, making it a place of strong local heritage and continued outdoor potential.