Bowdish Reservoir

41° 55.394' N    71° 45.499' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

This is a site for launching boats from trailers. Boat ramps can normally be used to launch canoes and kayaks but please do your best to keep the boat ramp clear for boat trailers.

Description & Overview:

See what others have said.

NOTE: Reportedly this boat ramp is now only available to people who are staying in the campground.

Bowdish reservoir is a 226 acre reservoir partly encompassed by George Washington Management Area. The shoreline is often rocky and floating bog mats in the center of the pond make for an interesting ecosystem to explore from a small boat. Just do not try to walk on the floating bog mats because you will fall through. There is a concrete plank boat ramp and a gravel parking area at the campground off route 44, at the east of the reservoir. No motors in excess of 10 H.P. The fishing is reported to be good in the reservoir.

This site provides access to the following water bodies: Bowdish Reservoir.

Location:

Alternate Site Name: George Washington Management Area

Town: Glocester

Driving Landmarks: Coming from either direction on Route 44, look for the signs for George Washington Campground

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: lake/reservior

Note: Because one boat launch can access, say, both a lake and a river or both the upstream and downstream portions of a river, not all paddling trips at a given site will necessarily encounter all of the features listed.

Type of Access: Boat ramp

ADA Accessible Boat Launch? no

Shoreline: There is a hard concrete plank boat ramp here and the adjacent shoreline is sand and gravel, and suitable for launching hand-carried boats.

Float/Dock: no

Fees: During the camping season there may be a fee

Parking:

Parking: yes: 6 spaces, overnight parking permitted

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? no

Nearby Amenities:

Public Restrooms: There are restrooms and drinking water are both available at the campground

Accomodations: The campground here is small and quiet compared to many of the much busier campgrounds near the south county beaches.

Sources for More Information:

AMC Quiet Water Canoe Guide: 2nd Edition, page 184

Website: RI DEM web page for the management area and the campground

Ecological, Cultural & Recreational Attractions:

George Washington Management Area is a 4000 acre park with many hiking trails and various recreational opportunities.

Comments:

Bowdish lake is beautiful

Submitted by: Matt St ; November 10, 2024; 1:02 pm

Bowdish Lake is situated on Route 44 and shares banks with a small community, George Washington State Park and Bowdish Lake Camping Area which is a private camp ground. Access to the lake for the public is by way of George Washington State Park. The amenities include camping, rest rooms and a public beach and boat ramp. Multiple well maintained trails and fir roads which connect directly to Pulaski State Park. Bowdish Lake Camping Area is a private family owned campground and as such offers no public access to the lake.

Rating:

Photographs:

Photo Credit: Matt St

Photo Credit: Matt St

Photo Credit: Matt St

---

Internet is misleading

Submitted by: Anonymous; May 28, 2024; 12:03 pm

The internet is misleading. Drove almost an hour out to make it to this lake. It is actually located inside bowdish lake campground. Apparently you need to pay and have reservations. When we went, they were 'full' and the park rangers gave us 0 help. They tried to shoo us away quickly. We asked them where we can find a public boat launch close by and they had no idea. How can you be a park ranger and not know where public boat launches are? We ended up at Echo Lake which was a great location, but very disappointed with Bowdish Lake. Directions need to be clearer for out-of-Towners that would also like to enjoy Bowdish.

Rating:

---

No thanks

Submitted by: Anonymous; April 19, 2024; 3:33 pm

I do not recommend Bowdish Lake camping area at all. The staff are rude. The Campground is constantly under construction with large machines all around and unfinished road ways with potholes. If you complain about anything the owner yells at you. Stay at your own risk.

Rating:

Do you have comments, corrections or additions to the information about this site?

Help us work together to make this website better by sharing your knowledge!

Private feedback goes to the Blueways Alliance/RI Land Trust Council. We'll use your information to make this website better or pass it along to the people who can deal with physical issues at this site. Public comments are posted here (once they've been reviewed and approved) for all to see.