Which is the most popular campground in Rhode Island?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground in Rhode Island is Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground with a 4-star rating from 30 reviews.

Best Camping in Rhode Island

190 Reviews

Rhode Island might be the smallest of the 50 states, but that just makes it easier to travel between its extensive number of adventure hotspots and through a whopping 400 miles of sandy coastline. Camping in Rhode Island is more than worth it for the diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities alone. Within the 1,212 square miles they call home, Rhode Islanders can enjoy hiking the green, lake-speckled hillsides of the New England Uplands, explore the dozens of rivers in the north that feed into Narragansett Bay, venture south toward the Seaboard Lowlands to breathe in salty sea air, and head offshore to navigate 38 islands by boat, kayak, and more.

The Ocean State earned its nickname for a reason, and any fan of marine fun will especially love camping in Rhode Island. Make your way to historic Newport for a quintessential New England experience. Also known as the City by the Sea, the nine-village coastal community’s manicured mansions, cobbled streets, and pristine beaches make it the picture of Gilded Age resort life.

Visitors flock to Newport beaches like Easton’s for family picnics, kite flying, and boogie boarding. Head to Gooseberry for a calm and luxurious day of sunbathing. Visit the dog-friendly Fogland to enjoy a day of stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and windsurfing. Don’t forget to stop by Sachuest (also called Second Beach) to find the longest beach in Rhode Island, surfable waves, and a shoreline RV campground with hot showers. Retreat to one of two state parks for quiet camping, or find community at nearby Melville Ponds Campground.

The belle of Newport’s ball sits at the north end of town on Narragansett Bay. Fort Adams State Park not only draws music-festival-lovers for the annual summer Jazz Fest and Folk Festival, but also attracts people year-round for swimming, kayaking, boating, and more.

The Department of Parks & Recreation runs five campgrounds throughout the state that make it easy to find camping in Rhode Island. Pitch your tent at Burlingame State Park, the state’s first official campground, which offers space for 700 rustic campsites and access to freshwater swimming, fishing, canoeing, and hiking trails beneath towering trees—as well as a camp store in case you left anything at home.

No matter how you want to go camping in Rhode Island, The Dyrt can help you find the best place for it.

Best Camping Sites in Rhode Island (34)

1. Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground
30 Reviews
•78 Photos•
289 Saves
Located on Point Judith Pond, Fishermen's Memorial State Park is a haven of water-based activities, including fishing, boating and kayaking. The park is adjacent to one of Rhode Island's most popular beaches, providing campers with a scenic and relaxing place to soak up the sun and enjoy the ocean. The park offers a range of camping options, including tent and RV sites, as well as cabins and cottages. Fishermen's Memorial State Park is located near many of Rhode Island's most popular attractions, including Newport's mansions and historic sites, and the beautiful Block Island. Visitors can also explore the nearby towns of Narragansett and South Kingstown, which offer a range of dining, shopping and entertainment options.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
2. George Washington State Campground
25 Reviews
•67 Photos•
143 Saves
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$14 - $35 / night
3. Newport RV Park
16 Reviews
•92 Photos•
115 Saves
Modern, full hook up RV Sites only 5 minutes from historic Newport, Rhode Island and breathtaking ocean beaches. Founded as Melville Ponds by John O. Thayer, our decades of hosting guests feels like welcoming family back for another experience that will be treasured long after check out.
Located on Aquidneck Island, Newport is a feast for the senses. A veritable banquet of salt air, gilded mansions, and ocean breezes. Newport's food scene is a destination in and of itself. With over one hundred dining establishments, one could spend weeks just sampling the epicurean delights.
Newport RV Park offers all accommodations needed for a short or long term stay. All 100 plus RV sites offer full hookup and your choice of a back in or premium pull thru site for your stay. If you prefer a shaded site or an open air/no overhead obstructions location- we've got a site that will fit your unit comfortably throughout the park. For those who want to experience a classic camping experience, rustic tent sites are available in a separate area of the park.
ON-SITE AMENITIES:
• 5 miles from Historical Newport
• Sandy Point Beach – 5 miles
• Close to shopping, tourist train, fine dining & theaters
• Beautiful RV & tent campsites
• Shaded and level campsites
• Full-hookup campsites
• 30 & 50 AMP on all RV sites
• Picnic tables and fire rings at every campsite
• Clean comfort station
• Complimentary hot showers
• Ice & firewood available on-site
• Stocked camp store
• Complimentary WIFI and digital cable
• Water and Sewer on all RV sites
• Dog Park
• Fishing at Melville Park (RI Fishing License required)
• Access to Hiking & walking trails
• Playground
• Obstruction free campsites - full sun
• Covered pavilion
• Coin op laundry
• Pull thru & back in campsites
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
$70 - $140 / night
4. Wawaloam Campground
10 Reviews
•24 Photos•
57 Saves
Wawaloam, named after a Nipmuck Native American Princess, is truly a family affair. In 1969, Jim and Maureen Smith began their dream of running a successful vacation destination for campers visiting the Southern New England area. Nearly fifty years and three generations later, Wawaloam has become a favorite place for campers of all ages.
Families love the fact that Wawaloam includes 3 children in our base rate. Isn’t that what family camping is all about? Wawaloam also welcomes well-behaved pets for a small fee of $5 per night. After all, we’re animal lovers, too! Everyone is encouraged to participate in the various activities Wawaloam has to offer: from crafts to dances, movies to mini golf, Wawaloam has activities for everyone in your family. Wawaloam has become famous for our Friday night dinner and Sunday morning breakfast menus. Our head chef Jim uses local produce and seafood right off the boat in Galilee! Wawaloam has the most spacious sites around and we’re top-rated in the Good Sam Directory and on TripAdvisor. We take pride in our campground and it shows!
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$50 - $75 / night
5. Burlingame State Park Campground
10 Reviews
•39 Photos•
69 Saves
Located next to Watchaug Pond in Charlestown, this spacious campground includes approximately 700 campsites, as well as 20 cabins. Utilities ARE NOT available at this campground. The campground features conveniently located restrooms with shower facilities, a playground, arcade, freshwater beach, boat ramp, canoe rentals and hiking trails. The camp store carries a wide variety of camping necessities, along with a large selection of souvenirs. The campground abuts the Burlingame Management Area and Kimball Wildlife Sanctuary and is located near numerous ocean beaches, including Misquamicut State Beach, Charlestown Breachway and East Matunuck State Beach.
6 New Cabin Sites will be available summer of 2022. Septic Dump Station Passes are available for a fee to non-registered campers to utilize both the dump and water filling stations. Main Camp is restricted to tent camping only.
Address: 1 Burlingame State Park Road, Charlestown, RI 02813
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
$18 - $75 / night
6. Whispering Pines Campground
7 Reviews
•69 Photos•
78 Saves
RHODE ISLAND'S PREMIER DESTINATION CAMPGROUND
Whispering Pines boasts 50 acres of towering pines which provides the perfect ambience to unwind or share with love ones. The best memories are made camping and our team is ready to host your stay. Our family friendly park has many onsite amenities and everything is included with your reservation!
· 30 & 50 amp Service
· Pool & Splash Pad (brand new in 2022)
· Back In & Pull Thru sites
· Clean Restrooms
· Complimentary Hot Showers
· Playgrounds for all ages
· Ice & Firewood to purchase
· Stocked store with goodies
· Propane refill station
· Dump station
· Office with camp store
· Recreation Hall
· Complimentary Kids’ Train Rides*
· Arcade
· Coin Op Laundry
· Covered Pavilion
· Athletic Field
· Complimentary Basic WiFi
· 4 Rustic Cabins – open for bookings! (no pets, 2pm check in for cabin guests)
· Gated park entry
· Dog Park
· Snack Bar*
· Mini Golf (nominal fee)
· Basketball
· Horseshoe & Bocce Ball Pits
· Corn Hole
· Shuffleboard
· Weekend Themes & Activities*
· Spring Fed Pond for catch & release
· Complimentary canoes & row boats
*(available beginning memorial weekend, as weather permits)
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
$60 - $80 / night
7. Fort Getty Campground
6 Reviews
•6 Photos•
111 Saves
Fort Getty Park & Campground offers seasonal and transient RV campsites. Transient RV campsites are $50/night with a 2-week minimum stay. For more info contact the Jamestown Parks & Recreation office at 401-423-7260.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
8. Holiday Acres Campground
6 Reviews
•10 Photos•
39 Saves
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$35 - $50 / night
9. Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground
5 Reviews
•28 Photos•
94 Saves
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Group
- Trash
10. Bowdish Lake Camping Area
4 Reviews
•10 Photos•
13 Saves
Bowdish Lake is more than just a campground, it is a summertime community of family and friends. Spacious, private campsites provide a relaxing outdoors experience with plenty of activities close-by.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
$40 - $200 / night

Showing results 1-10 of 34 campgrounds

Popular Camping Styles in Rhode Island

Tent Camping in Rhode Island

RV Parks in Rhode Island

Free Dispersed Camping in Rhode Island

Cabins in Rhode Island

Dog Friendly Camping in Rhode Island

Glamping in Rhode Island

Horse Camping in Rhode Island

Pet-friendly camping in Rhode Island

Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground

30 Reviews

78 Photos

289 Saves

Located on Point Judith Pond, Fishermen's Memorial State Park is a haven of water-based activities, including fishing, boating and kayaking. The park is adjacent to one of Rhode Island's most popular beaches, providing campers with a scenic and relaxing place to soak up the sun and enjoy the ocean. The park offers a range of camping options, including tent and RV sites, as well as cabins and cottages. Fishermen's Memorial State Park is located near many of Rhode Island's most popular attractions, including Newport's mansions and historic sites, and the beautiful Block Island. Visitors can also explore the nearby towns of Narragansett and South Kingstown, which offer a range of dining, shopping and entertainment options.

Pets
Fires
Electric Hookups
Phone Service

George Washington State Campground

25 Reviews

67 Photos

143 Saves

Pets
Fires
Electric Hookups
Phone Service

$14 - $35 / night

Newport RV Park

16 Reviews

92 Photos

115 Saves

Modern, full hook up RV Sites only 5 minutes from historic Newport, Rhode Island and breathtaking ocean beaches. Founded as Melville Ponds by John O. Thayer, our decades of hosting guests feels like welcoming family back for another experience that will be treasured long after check out.

Located on Aquidneck Island, Newport is a feast for the senses. A veritable banquet of salt air, gilded mansions, and ocean breezes. Newport's food scene is a destination in and of itself. With over one hundred dining establishments, one could spend weeks just sampling the epicurean delights.

Newport RV Park offers all accommodations needed for a short or long term stay. All 100 plus RV sites offer full hookup and your choice of a back in or premium pull thru site for your stay. If you prefer a shaded site or an open air/no overhead obstructions location- we've got a site that will fit your unit comfortably throughout the park. For those who want to experience a classic camping experience, rustic tent sites are available in a separate area of the park.

ON-SITE AMENITIES:

• 5 miles from Historical Newport

• Sandy Point Beach – 5 miles

• Close to shopping, tourist train, fine dining & theaters

• Beautiful RV & tent campsites

• Shaded and level campsites

• Full-hookup campsites

• 30 & 50 AMP on all RV sites

• Picnic tables and fire rings at every campsite

• Clean comfort station

• Complimentary hot showers

• Ice & firewood available on-site

• Stocked camp store

• Complimentary WIFI and digital cable

• Water and Sewer on all RV sites

• Dog Park

• Fishing at Melville Park (RI Fishing License required)

• Access to Hiking & walking trails

• Playground

• Obstruction free campsites - full sun

• Covered pavilion

• Coin op laundry

• Pull thru & back in campsites

Pets
Fires
Electric Hookups
Phone Service

$70 - $140 / night

Wawaloam Campground

10 Reviews

24 Photos

57 Saves

Wawaloam, named after a Nipmuck Native American Princess, is truly a family affair. In 1969, Jim and Maureen Smith began their dream of running a successful vacation destination for campers visiting the Southern New England area. Nearly fifty years and three generations later, Wawaloam has become a favorite place for campers of all ages.

Families love the fact that Wawaloam includes 3 children in our base rate. Isn’t that what family camping is all about? Wawaloam also welcomes well-behaved pets for a small fee of $5 per night. After all, we’re animal lovers, too! Everyone is encouraged to participate in the various activities Wawaloam has to offer: from crafts to dances, movies to mini golf, Wawaloam has activities for everyone in your family. Wawaloam has become famous for our Friday night dinner and Sunday morning breakfast menus. Our head chef Jim uses local produce and seafood right off the boat in Galilee! Wawaloam has the most spacious sites around and we’re top-rated in the Good Sam Directory and on TripAdvisor. We take pride in our campground and it shows!

Pets
Fires
Electric Hookups
Phone Service

$50 - $75 / night

Burlingame State Park Campground

10 Reviews

39 Photos

69 Saves

Located next to Watchaug Pond in Charlestown, this spacious campground includes approximately 700 campsites, as well as 20 cabins. Utilities ARE NOT available at this campground. The campground features conveniently located restrooms with shower facilities, a playground, arcade, freshwater beach, boat ramp, canoe rentals and hiking trails. The camp store carries a wide variety of camping necessities, along with a large selection of souvenirs. The campground abuts the Burlingame Management Area and Kimball Wildlife Sanctuary and is located near numerous ocean beaches, including Misquamicut State Beach, Charlestown Breachway and East Matunuck State Beach.

6 New Cabin Sites will be available summer of 2022.
Septic Dump Station Passes are available for a fee to non-registered campers to utilize both the dump and water filling stations.
Main Camp is restricted to tent camping only.

Address: 1 Burlingame State Park Road, Charlestown, RI 02813

Pets
Fires
Phone Service
Reservable

$18 - $75 / night

Whispering Pines Campground

7 Reviews

69 Photos

78 Saves

RHODE ISLAND'S PREMIER DESTINATION CAMPGROUND

Whispering Pines boasts 50 acres of towering pines which provides the perfect ambience to unwind or share with love ones. The best memories are made camping and our team is ready to host your stay. Our family friendly park has many onsite amenities and everything is included with your reservation!

· 30 & 50 amp Service

· Pool & Splash Pad (brand new in 2022)

· Back In & Pull Thru sites

· Clean Restrooms

· Complimentary Hot Showers

· Playgrounds for all ages

· Ice & Firewood to purchase

· Stocked store with goodies

· Propane refill station

· Dump station

· Office with camp store

· Recreation Hall

· Complimentary Kids’ Train Rides*

· Arcade

· Coin Op Laundry

· Covered Pavilion

· Athletic Field

· Complimentary Basic WiFi

· 4 Rustic Cabins – open for bookings! (no pets, 2pm check in for cabin guests)

· Gated park entry

· Dog Park

· Snack Bar*

· Mini Golf (nominal fee)

· Basketball

· Horseshoe & Bocce Ball Pits

· Corn Hole

· Shuffleboard

· Weekend Themes & Activities*

· Spring Fed Pond for catch & release

· Complimentary canoes & row boats

*(available beginning memorial weekend, as weather permits)

Pets
Fires
Electric Hookups
Phone Service

$60 - $80 / night

View All

Recent Reviews In Rhode Island

190 Reviews of 34 Rhode Island Campgrounds

B
Barry S.
Scout
October 13, 2024
Newport RV Park
Nice and quiet
Good size sites. Trees. Decent WiFi. Clean and quiet. Not much for amenities - no camp store, pool, activities.
Lee D.
Legend
October 7, 2024
Burlingame State Park Campground
HUGE state park
General: HUGE state park with over 700 sites. It does not fully open for the season until May 1 and when we were there in mid-April, only two sections, Fish Camp and Mills Camp were open. The Ranger station is staffed 24 hours a day, with a ranger on site until 11 pm. You need to show your pass to get inside the gate leading to the campsites. There are no hookups in any site (as far as I could tell). Sites are designated for tents, small trailers, large trailers, and RVs. As with other RI state parks, non-residents pay double the price of residents which kind of ticks me off (I don't mind a nominal upcharge but double is excessive IMO).
Site Quality: The site numbers throughout the park are painted on rocks but the sites themselves are not very clearly defined. There is no designated camping pad. Our site (114) had a water view but was not level. It was large enough for us to park horizontally and make it work for one night. Some sites had excessive roots and also were not level. Some picnic tables have been replaced with new ones, but others badly need it.
Bath/Shower house: The one in Fish Camp was adequate and clean. There is hot water, but you need to run it for a while before you get any. There was no garbage receptacle, and the toilet paper is so thin, that you can see through it. Showers are $.75 to get it started for the first three minutes. After that, the amount per minute increases to $1, $1.25, $1.50, and so forth. Machines take up to 22 quarters. There is a change machine at the Ranger Station. I did not use the shower so I cannot comment on how well they work.
Activities/Amenities: There is a camp store that offers wood, ice, coffee, basic groceries, propane, and canoe rentals. It was open with limited hours during our stay. Fishing, boating, swimming - all in season. Even though the park was only about 10% occupied, there was a strong Ranger presence. He circled our small loop three times just before check-out time and wanted to make sure we were leaving not a minute past the designated time.
This was just an overnight stay for us in a convenient location but there is no way I would stay at the height of the season!
Ioan P.
Legend
October 1, 2024
Meadowlark RV Park
Quiet place
Bit expensive
Jacob D.
Guide
September 18, 2024
Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground
Somewhere to stay, not the best
$18/night if you live here, but $36 if from out of state. Large tent campground with lots of spaces, so everyone is in pretty close together. My main concern is there are showers in the bathrooms you can pay for, but ones outside that are free, but cold water and no curtain, so you literally have no privacy.
Cynthia K.
Legend
August 30, 2024
Wawaloam Campground
Nice!
Wawaloam Campground in Rhode Island was our 3rd state & campground on our East Coast trip. Not a lot of choices in Rhode Island, but we liked this camp ground in a rural wooded area.
This is kid heaven. Families laughing & enjoying themselves. Besides the pool they have a splash pad, a water slide, mini golf, a nice pond for fishing. The playground is nice. The grounds are well taken care of. The bathroom& showers were checked often. The showers are now free!
In wooded, rural Rhode Island, but an easy day trip to Newport.
A
Arno W.
Traveler
August 26, 2024
Meadowlark RV Park
Cramped but close to Newport
This is an RV camp with mostly regulars and a couple of spots for passersby and short stay.
We were received very friendly by a nice lady who told us everything about the camp and its surroundings.
Our site had power and water. There are no showers of toilets. They have a dump station.
This camp was not our favorite but it was close to Newport and the beach.
ml Z.
Scout
August 1, 2024
East Beach State Campground
q
ee
K
Kristi J.
Scout
July 29, 2024
Burlingame State Park Campground
Pros outweigh the cons
Stayed for a week mid-July; during the week had almost an entire loop to ourselves which was wonderful - it felt like having the entire park to ourselves. Things picked up on Friday/Saturday but overall we lucked out with no neighbors who were disrespectful of the quiet hours (10p - 7a). Bathrooms, dumpsters, and portapotties are plentiful, but not always well maintained. Staff are seen frequently throughout the park and are very willing to be helpful when asked - our site had a few Yellowjacket nests and they took care of them for us almost immediately when asked. It’s worth investigating the various sites ahead of time - there are a number of sections much more likely to be busy than others, and lots of low-lying sites that show signs of easily being washed out in anything more than a moderate rain. With multiple great east coast beaches minutes away (as well as conveniences like fuel/stores) we will definitely be back.
L
LEAH R.
Scout
July 15, 2024
Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground
FEELS LIKE SUMMER
Nothing like coming home to NARRAGANSETT..... BEAUTIFUL, clean campground.... Quiet & peaceful..... Bathrooms are very nice..... Not far from ROGER WHEELER BEACH & SCARBOROUGH BEACH.....Right down the street from great RI food.....
L
LEAH R.
Scout
July 15, 2024
Fort Getty Campground
HEAVEN ON EARTH
Such a beautiful destination for tourists, travelers, & beach goers....Talk about being right on the water with access to excellent swimming. Such a lovely vantage point with your tent location from the top of FORT GETTY. Who knew??? Mackerel Cove is awesome....beach, beach, beach.... Bathrooms are ok. Such a hidden gem on the wonderful island of Jamestown!!!! Bring your tent....
Eddy B.
Scout
July 8, 2024
Whispering Pines Campground
Fun for the family
Great privately owned family campground. The pool, splash pad, live music and activities for the kids were great!
AT&T service had only one bar. Couldn’t stream but worked for calls and texts. Campground WiFi was strong but as expected struggled to keep up on this busy 4th of July.
Mia S.
Traveler
June 24, 2024
Burlingame State Park Campground
Enjoyed myself this weekend
We camped here from Friday to Sunday. The staff in the main office was very inviting and friendly, the rangers kept everyone in check . The bathrooms were kept clean, but the showers in the Legiontown area are kinda crappy, it's mainly the shower heads...they feel like bullets hitting you and you can't even adjust the shower head nozzle. The showers are $1.50/8mins I only put $1.00 in for 5 minutes which was more than enough time for me. There's a beautiful lake and you can rent Kayaks or a canoe for the day I believe it was around $45.00. there's a nice general store, an arcade, playground, trails, cabins... And the sites are pretty big. No real big complaints, except that the staties are usually waiting for you to come back from the bars since there's no alcohol allowed on the property. So if you are to drink off the property, make sure you have a Designated Driver. They love handing out DUIs. (I did not have this issue, but my friends did.)
B
Bill C.
Scout
June 17, 2024
Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground
Perfect stay
My wife and I camped last weekend and it was everything we were looking for. Awesome staff, the perfect location, and clean bathrooms. We will definitely be back!
Jay H.
Scout
May 26, 2024
Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground
Quiet, with good amenities
Very lush and green, and the showers are close to the sites and make longer stays more comfortable
Ryan A.
Guide
May 15, 2024
George Washington State Campground
An OK Campground but not Great
Camped out here for two nights after reading about this place in the"Best Tent Camping: New England" book. It's better than the other campgrounds in Rhode Island that I looked at (Burlingame, Fort Getty) but isn't my favorite campground. If you're not a Rhode Island resident the fee for most sites is$36/night. Is it worth it? Eh, probably not unless you're really jonesing to camp for a weekend in the Ocean State.
It does have some great things going for it, namely the hiking trails and views of the lake. There are some tent-only sites which are numbered T1-T5. I stayed in T5 and it was the best of the bunch because it had the most privacy and space, including a grassy area. The other tent-only sites were fairly small and if you go to any mixed use sites you run the risk of having an RV next to you. The A1-A7 sites are remote and hike in, but you're going to have to hike either 0.4 or 0.6 miles through some uneven terrain. The next best group of sites would be 19-24 which are on their own small loop near the lake.
The things I didn't like were the streetlights over the port-a-potties that shine all night. There is a manned gate where you check in and you have to get let into the campground during the day, but at night the gates are wide open and it seems like some people know this because there are a few oddballs around in the early morning. There is swimming at the lake but it looked way too dirty.
Overall the place was managed very well, the sites were cleanish and the grounds were taken care of. The employees drove by at least once an hour, I thought they were collecting trash from dumpsters but the only place with a dumpster is near the entrance. I couldn't figure out why they kept driving by so often. I had a good time, it was relaxing and scratched the camping itch.
Jake C.
Legend
March 1, 2024
The Giddyup Getaway at The River Haven Sanctuary
New to the Dyrt!
Jake from the Dyrt here! We're excited to have this campground on the Dyrt and ready for you to book, check them out and make sure to leave a review!
Paul R.
Guide
December 5, 2023
Burlingame State Park Campground
Friendly but busy
This is a great spot that’s perfect for a weekend camping. I ended up getting a cabin here and stayed the night. It was thwir opening weekend and the weather was pretty cold so we didn’t have to foght the crowds too much. That said, they have a huge capacity and during summer the place is swarmed by RV’ers and folks staying for longer stays.
c
chris
Scout
September 17, 2023
Newport RV Park
Top Platz!
Der Camping Platz ist super ausgerüstet. Die Plätze sind grosszügig und gut gepflegt. Auch wenn der Platz eher teuer ist, bekommt man dort sehr viel. Das Personal ist sehr zuvorkommend und flexibel. Von der Lage her ist man auf ein Auto angewiesen.
N
Name
Scout
August 27, 2023
George Washington State Campground
Top tier
Very clean, not as busy, and has all the basics. Everyone complains about the local small wildlife getting into your food but basic practices can keep them out so it’s not a problem I had
Jessica D.
Legend
August 21, 2023
Wawaloam Campground
Family friendly, great campstore, quiet
We stayed here from a Tuesday to Thursday with our 21ft travel trailer & our dog. We had site 50. It was private, a great size & has water/electric. We had good cover on our site & the area our site was in was super quiet. There are both seasonal and regular sites on this campground. The camp store has everything you might need. The front gate staff are friendly and helpful. There seemed to be lots of activities on the weekends & it's definitely a family friendly/kid friendly spot. Dog friendly too! Lots of other campers had their dogs w them. We used this as our home base to visit Newport, which is about 35 min from the campground.
Sarah A.
Guide
August 13, 2023
Newport RV Park
Nice, but further out than we thought
This park was very nice, but they advertise being 5 miles away from historic Newport, and it’s more like 8. There are zero bike paths that are immediately accessible and Newport drivers are not walker/biker friendly. No sidewalks on the Main Street to get you here. Ubers and Lyfts can be scarce and very expensive depending on the time of day. Between $16 to $78 rides…so, if you’re not towing, just something to be aware of. Neighbors were super nice and there is a great dog park (we think it’s city owned) with super nice doggo humans. Was good for a short stay - we just wish we had known how far out it really was because we really would have loved to spend more time downtown.
Laurie M.
Traveler
July 19, 2023
Burlingame State Park Campground
Once a gem, but steadily declining.
Burlingame state park campground is 3100 acres and many of the 739 reservable campsites are well spaced out and you could obtain great privacy if you know which site to pick. The condition of the park has steadily declined since about 2016. Plans are in the work to update all bathroom facilities, but it keeps getting pushed back year after year. Burlingame State Park campground is the only state park managed by an outside corporation who assumes the day to day responsibilities for campsites, dumpsters and bathrooms. Ongoing issues, especially on holiday weekends have been noted by hundreds of campers. The new pre-registration offered through Reserve America has been a great improvement. It allows to avoid the long lines at the check-in station and drive straight up to the gate. Lack of staff on the management level, and Rhode Island state park department level definitely shows. Rhode Island DEM is allowing this wonderful campground to deteriorate. Flooding issues during even minor rainfall is apparent in a large portion of sites, so beware which campsite you reserve. Camper created group called Bound4burlingame has filmed every campsite and put them on YouTube and has created a private group on FB where the camping community of Burlingame contributes daily to an extremely popular public forum. Best place to gain info and insight. Get campsite recommendations straight from the people who actually camp there.
Laurie A.
Scout
July 9, 2023
Oak Leaf Family Campground
Seasonal campground
If I had any idea before arriving that this was a seasonal parking lot I never would have booked here and suggest you don’t either. Rules are not enforced for seasonals, so it’s party time, all the time! The teenie swimming pool is wall to wall kids with adult swim for a single hour in the middle of the afternoon. If you’d like to jump into a cesspool be my guest. Water pressure in the showers was seriously lacking and the bathrooms needed to be cleaned. This campground is near nothing! And the dump station is located on the wrong side. I couldn’t wait to leave!!
A
Amy S.
Scout
July 9, 2023
Burlingame State Park Campground
Wouldn’t return unless I had a self contained RV
The sites in the 500 section are nice and big, and that’s about where the positives end :( There was a huge party that went on till 3 AM with crazy loud music, if you like quiet nights this is not your place. I really don’t mind loud people though so if that had been the worst of it I would have been ok. For me the bathrooms and dumpsters were absolutely unacceptable 🤢 I think the bathroom was cleaned once the 3 days we were there. There was feces on the toilet 2 of the 3 days, people washing dishes in bathroom sinks, floors covered in garbage. The dumpster smelled so bad and you couldn’t even throw garbage away, it was so full people just kept tossing it on top. Most of the time there was one person checking people in at the desk and trying to let people in the gate which takes forever since they have to check papers and license plates. Also, the mosquitoes are relentless so bring bug spray, lots of it.
M
Monique C.
Guide
July 5, 2023
Newport RV Park
Sites
Sites were not bad. They did have stone down for a base. Sites are 1/2 in wooded areas and 1/2 in open field. We went on a Holiday Weekend but they were not very personable and did not give us events going on around. There is no pool here. Beaches are about a 15-20 min drive
Greg S.
Ranger
June 27, 2023
Wawaloam Campground
4.6 stars
Large sites, great stone fire rings, full hookups, huge pool, waterslides, splash pad, playground, great camp store... this place brings a lot to the table for a very fair price of 60 bucks. There is a large seasonal camper section in the back, most are really well done, a few bad apples but overall nice. The front camping section is very pleasant and well spaced out. We had a lot of fun here.
Christine C.
Traveler
June 23, 2023
Wawaloam Campground
Large campsites
Pool and slide were great - wish the slides were open the whole day. It may have just been the time of year we were there though. Site was huge. Having food and ice cream there was a plus. Not many kids activities, but again, that may have been because we weren't there during peak summer time.

Guide to Rhode Island

Camping in Rhode Island offers a unique blend of natural beauty and family-friendly activities. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, there's something for everyone in this charming state.

What to do

Explore Newport: Many campgrounds are just a short drive from Newport, where you can enjoy historic sites and beautiful beaches. One camper mentioned, “We just wish we had known how far out it really was because we really would have loved to spend more time downtown.”
Visit local parks: Check out places like Fort Getty Campground for stunning waterfront views and swimming opportunities. A reviewer said, “Such a beautiful destination for tourists, travelers, & beach goers.”
Enjoy family activities: Campgrounds like Wawaloam Campground offer mini-golf, splash pads, and playgrounds. One family noted, “This is kid heaven. Families laughing & enjoying themselves.”

What campers like

Well-maintained facilities: Campers appreciate clean bathrooms and well-kept grounds. A visitor at Newport RV Park said, “The sites are generous and well-maintained.”
Friendly staff: Many reviews highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper shared, “Steve saved us honestly because we had no reservation here. By chance they had a cancellation.”
Pet-friendly options: Campgrounds like Wawaloam Campground welcome pets, making it easier for families to bring their furry friends along. A reviewer mentioned, “Dog friendly too! Lots of other campers had their dogs with them.”

What you should know

Distance to attractions: Some campgrounds are farther from popular spots than advertised. A camper noted, “They advertise being 5 miles away from historic Newport, and it’s more like 8.”
Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have pools or extensive activities. One visitor at Whispering Pines Campground mentioned, “The pool, splash pad, and nearly everything else was non-operational or locked up still.”
Noise levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during busy weekends. A camper at Fort Getty Campground said, “There have been big party groups who kept us all up talking really really loudly.”

Tips for camping with families

Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places like Wawaloam Campground that offer activities for kids. One parent said, “The grounds are well taken care of. The bathroom & showers were checked often.”
Plan for activities: Make sure to check what activities are available during your stay. A camper noted, “There seemed to be lots of activities on the weekends & it’s definitely a family friendly/kid friendly spot.”
Bring outdoor games: Having games on hand can keep kids entertained. A visitor mentioned, “The kids got to enjoy a brand new splash pad which was great and a small train ride around the park.”

Tips from RVers

Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site dimensions. A reviewer at Whispering Pines Campground said, “The front camping section is very pleasant and well spaced out.”
Be prepared for limited services: Some campgrounds may not have full hookups or amenities. One camper warned, “Be very careful when you hook into their power, make sure you have a surge protector!!!”
Book in advance: Popular campgrounds can fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A camper at Newport RV Park said, “So glad we found this place and we've already booked our 2023 stay!”

Camping in Rhode Island can be a fantastic experience with the right planning and expectations. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground in Rhode Island?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground in Rhode Island is Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground with a 4-star rating from 30 reviews.