Dogs & Pets

Dogs are allowed at Burlingame State Campground: up to two dogs or cats per site, on a leash no longer than six feet, with a current rabies certificate. They are not allowed at the Burlingame Picnic Area from April 1 to September 30. Leashed dogs are welcome on the Gormley Trail. Nearby, Charlestown Breachway, East Beach and every Rhode Island state beach ban pets.

At the Campground

Burlingame is one of three Rhode Island state campgrounds that accept pets, with Fishermen's Memorial and George Washington. DEM's camping policy sets the rules:

• Up to two pets per site, dogs or cats only, and they must be well socialized and friendly.
• Rabies vaccination: a current rabies certificate is required for every pet and must be ready to show campground staff or police.
• Leash: six feet or shorter at all times. DEM says e-collars, e-leashes and similar devices do not count as a leash.
• Collar: every pet must wear a collar with your contact details, legible.
• Never alone: pets may not be left unattended in an RV, tent, on the site or in a vehicle.
• No nuisance: excessive barking counts as a disturbance and breaks the policy.
• Clean up after your pet. Owners who do not comply are asked to leave without a refund.
• Visitors may not bring pets into the campground.

Cabins: DEM's policy says pets are allowed in cabins, under the same rules.

At the Picnic Area and Beach

Rhode Island's state park regulation bans animals from three kinds of places from April 1 through September 30: any state bathing beach, East Beach and the Ninigret Conservation Area, and the Burlingame Picnic Area. So from spring to early fall, leave the dog at home or at your campsite if you are going to the picnic area. From October 1 to March 31, dogs may come on a leash of six feet or less.

Service animals, as defined by law, are exempt from the seasonal ban. DEM's camping policy adds that, for health and safety reasons, service animals are not allowed in public swimming areas.

On the Gormley Trail

DEM says on-leash dogs are welcome on the nearly 8-mile John Vincent Gormley Trail around Watchaug Pond. Keep your dog close where the trail follows the road, and in fall make your dog visible in the Burlingame Management Area, where hunting is allowed. See hiking.

Nearby Places That Ban Dogs

• Charlestown Breachway: no dogs or pets on the state beach, and DEM does not allow pets at the Charlestown Breachway campground either (Breachway).
• East Beach: no dogs or pets on the beach, and none at the East Beach campground (East Beach).
• All Rhode Island state beaches: DEM's camping policy says pets are not permitted at any state beach.
• Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge: pets are not permitted, except leashed dogs on the Kettle Pond Visitor Center trails, and not on the Toupoysett Pond Trail (refuge).
• Town beaches (Blue Shutters and Charlestown Town Beach): no animals from Memorial Day to Labor Day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; leashed at other times (Charlestown beaches).

Where Dogs Can Run

The Town of Charlestown's Ninigret Park has the Ninigret Dog Park, a few minutes away. Check the town's rules for it before you go.

Service Animals vs Pets

DEM follows the ADA definition: a service animal is a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Emotional support, therapy, comfort and companion animals are not service animals under DEM's policy and follow the pet rules. Service animals are allowed at all Rhode Island camping facilities, including the ones that ban pets, and must be under the handler's control.

A Checklist for Camping With a Dog

• Rabies certificate, printed or on your phone
• Six-foot leash and a collar tag with your number
• Waste bags
• A plan for the dog while you swim at the picnic area in summer (the dog cannot come)
• Shade and a water bowl at your site, since the dog stays with you