Where to go camping in Southern New England

Yeah - should have added we've exhausted RI and are looking to get out of the state!

I was going to suggest Nickerson but you already mentioned it. You could look into http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/Myles_Standish_State_Forest/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=MA&parkId=32614 I camped there (well, in a cabin) once in high school and remember waking up among cranberry bogs. It was kind of neat.

Have you looked at places in the Quiet Corner/ Last Green Valley? http://www.tlgv.org/resources/more-subpage.html and http://www.tlgv.org/explore/what-to-do2/outdoor-activities-and-sports.html. I knew people who liked to camp at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/wtl/wtlhome.htm when I lived around there; I can't vouch for the camping personally, but I can say it's a beautiful area generally, with lots of places to hike.

I just stayed at http://nobleviewoutdoorcenter.org/ Outdoor Center, an AMC lodge (with campground space as well). I would have thought it would be booked this past weekend, but there were open spots. There are lots of hiking trails on the grounds with waterfalls and vernal pools as well as good hiking nearby. A couple miles away there is a nice pond for swimming, boating and I imagine fishing.

FWIW Nickerson starts taking reservations 6 months in advance. At the canal end of the Cape is http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/Shawme_Crowell_State_Forest/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=MA&parkId=32621 State Forrest

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325210 in Madison, CT? Some friends stayed there last year and had a great time. Seems to be some weekend availability left.

Oh, seeing FreezBoy's answer, I realize I didnt even think of places on the Shoreline when I posted earlier. Hammonasset is great, and another SP with a similar kind of salt marshy environment and some nice features of its own, like the http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325254, is http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325256. (It's also a little bit closer to RI.)

If you want to go to the Cape Cod area then I can tell you about two other campgrounds. (It's a shame Nickerson is booked - it's awesome.) I would highly recommend https://sippewissett.com/. We looked into this place for a future option ourselves. It is in the Falmouth area, seems quiet, is right along a more woodsy bike trail, and even had some teepees you could rent! I can't tell from their website if they have any openings. Another option, though not as quaint, is http://www.bournescenicpark.com/ a campground on the Cape Cod Canal. There is a whole section where people set up their RV's for the summer and a nice pool area and playground, but also some typical campsites for tents. It's right along the main road, though, so try to get a site not too close to Route 6. You can walk or bike along the canal or use your area as a step off to explore other areas of Cape Cod. I think they have some open spots left this summer.