The area around Charlestown, Rhode Island includes several established campgrounds offering diverse accommodation options within close proximity to coastal attractions. Burlingame State Park Campground, the largest in the region with over 700 sites, provides tent camping, RV sites, and rustic cabins along a freshwater pond. Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground offers waterfront RV camping with direct access to Block Island Sound, while East Beach State Campground provides a mix of tent, RV, and cabin options. Most campgrounds in the area feature fire rings, picnic tables, and varying levels of hookups, with several facilities accommodating both tent and RV campers within the same property.
Camping in the Charlestown area operates primarily from April through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds charge significantly higher rates for out-of-state visitors compared to Rhode Island residents. The region experiences typical New England coastal weather patterns with humid summers and cool, sometimes stormy shoulder seasons. Most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities like drinking water and restrooms, though hookup availability varies considerably between facilities. A visitor to Charlestown Breachway noted, "It is nothing more than a parking lot with no hookups and only composting toilets available, but you get access to Block Island Sound and all that it offers."
Campers consistently highlight water access as a primary draw to the region's campgrounds. Sites near Charlestown Beach, Burlingame Pond, and along Block Island Sound receive particular praise for their proximity to swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. Several visitors mentioned the benefit of ocean breezes helping to moderate summer temperatures at coastal sites. Privacy between campsites varies significantly across facilities, with some offering well-separated, wooded sites while others feature more open layouts. A camper at Burlingame State Park commented, "I didn't see more than a handful of level sites, with varying degrees of slope, but many are quite large." The region's campgrounds generally provide good access to nearby attractions including wildlife refuges, historic sites, and the coastal communities of southern Rhode Island.
$18 - $50 / night
"I've never camped in Rhode Island, so I was curious to see what a state park campground had to offer."
"Site wise no one was around us so it was extra quiet and the park rangers are always around so always help if you need it. Walmart is less than ten minutes away too if you’re needing anything."
$18 - $28 / night
"Fisherman’s Memorial State Park is a large 182 site campground in Narragansett, Rhode Island."
"Lots of nearby beaches and restaurants. Campsites are simple. A patch of grass with a small bush or two, not very much shade, space or privacy."
"This campground is just 15-minutes from Mystic and about an hour’s drive to Newport, Rhode Island."
"The only drawback is the proximity to Interstate 95. You can hear the highway very well at night, particularly in the safari field."
$50 - $75 / night
"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.
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$18 / night
"We were able to secure a spot at Charlestown Breachway in Charlestown, Rhode Island during peak season, July 17-19.. Due to Covid-19, Charlestown was forced to reduce capacity to 50 percent."
"It is nothing more than a parking lot with no hookups and only composting toilets available, but you get access to Block Island Sound and all that it offers. Sites 58-75 are waterfront."
$60 - $80 / night
"The pool, splash pad, and nearly everything else was non operational or locked up still. Bocce ball set was pad locked, no one working the rec hall for horse shoes, shuffle board was in op."
"The kids got to enjoy a brand new splash pad which was great and a small train ride around the park. Pretty tight turns and big hills for towing your trailer through but it fits."
$28 / night
"We stayed here when family in the area got married. just one night but it was beautiful. walk to the beach, bathrooms available, nice fire pit."
"It is a quick drive to the beach, we loved Westerly & Misquamicut Beaches. Lots to do in the area and stores if needed."
$60 - $120 / night
"It was a bit too cold outside but the pools and hot tubs looked nice. Splash pad was clean and used by kids. Lots of roads to bike on and walk dogs. Live band on Saturday night was nice."
"It is close by to some nice shopping areas as well. Bingo is always a family favorite and they even had that as well!"
$60 / night
RangerWe did a family campout here and had several sites together. We camped in our pop up in the field. We were close to activities and enjoyed an afternoon tubing down the river. The bathrooms weren't the cleanest, but we've seen worse. We enjoyed our time here.
RangerWe stayed at one of the lean-to sites and really enjoyed our time here. We went fishing and explored the area. We hiked to the tri-state marker (CT-MA-RI) on a nearby trail. Plenty to do and see! Bathrooms were cleaner than what we are used to in a state campground.
ScoutCamped early in the season mid week, and it was nice and quiet. The "new" park rangers are take their jobs delightfully serious.
Our site had plenty of sun for solar but in seagull loop there is loads of shade
ScoutCampground was great. Site was in great shape, everything in order. Portapotties were large. The road made the trip horrible for peace and quiet lovers. I knew it was close to the road, but right on top of it AND a heavily traveled route.
ScoutCute Rv park. Very family friendly, the women who at the office are also incredibly nice and helpful! Seems like a lot of people either live full time or come on weekends but we were able to book a spot for a week.
RangerWe love camping here. From the history of the area, to its proximity to the ocean, to the many places to explore, to the nice sites and clean bathrooms! We have been coming here for over a decade and enjoy every trip. We usually grab dinner at George's of Galilee, and have taken the ferry to Block Island as well. There are a bunch of old military defenses from WWII in Narragansett Bay, including one in the campground. We've tent and camper camped, and enjoyed both.
RangerOur first time camping here, we were trying to get a more secluded spot, but the pics on ReserveAmerica were not the greatest gauge of the sites. The sites were OK, some better than others, we didn't have any amenities but there was potable water nearby. There are cabins, which are really just bunkhouses with 2 bunk beds. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. Our loop had porta potties nearby, we only saw one real bathroom with flushing toilets and showers. We did go for a nice hike, the North/South Trail goes through the campground and there are many trails in the area as well. We did a 5+ mile loop and got a good sense of what the trails are like. Found some geocaches and our pups got a good workout.
ScoutWe went last week to visit my brother and sister-in-law in the park was clean. Everybody was friendly. The staff was awesome and they even checked on us while we were there to see if we need anything. The neighbors were wonderful definitely will come back.
ScoutPicked up a one way rental RV on the way to Florida. I arrived early afternoon and was met quickly and shown to my spot and helped with all the hookups and “lay of the land” Very easy and helpful.
Camping areas near Charlestown, Rhode Island sit within a coastal plain ecosystem at elevations typically under 100 feet above sea level. The region experiences strong ocean breezes throughout summer camping season, which both moderate temperatures and create challenging conditions for tent campers without proper stakes and guylines. Campgrounds in this area generally operate from April through October, with East Beach State Campground offering more limited seasonal availability.
Beach access: East Beach State Campground provides direct beach frontage with primitive camping options. A camper noted, "Mostly less developed beach area, peaceful shoreline with essential amenities. Camping here REQUIRES a self contained vehicle, please respect the nature of this beach and pack out everything you pack in."
Fishing opportunities: Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground offers excellent fishing access where visitors regularly catch fish. "There were many people fishing and reeling them in. The campground has small boat ramp at the end; Great place to bring the kayaks for sure," reported one camper.
Nearby trails: Whispering Pines Campground serves as a good base for nearby hiking. "We drove about 10 min to some awesome trails which literally crossed the Connecticut and Rhode Island border," mentioned a camper who stayed during early season.
Water activities: Multiple pools, splash pads and water features make Wawaloam Campground popular with water enthusiasts. "Large water park on the grounds with two swimming pools, a slash pad and large water slide," noted a recent visitor.
Ocean breezes: The cooling effects of coastal winds are especially appreciated during summer months at waterfront sites. A camper at Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground remarked, "Even though it was in the high 80's, we barely ran the generator during the day. There was such a nice breeze. We had our windows open but curtains down to keep it dark."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the region feature larger than average sites. At Burlingame State Park Campground, a camper observed, "Spacious - even with all those sites, there's plenty of room between sites and tons of open space for kids to run around, fly a kite, play tag, hide and seek."
Family activities: Scheduled events keep younger campers engaged. At Whispering Pines, a visitor shared, "Staff is very friendly and professional. Camp ground is quiet. Lots of activities for the kids."
Pond swimming: Fresh water options complement ocean beaches. A Burlingame State Park visitor commented, "Lovely location - it's in the middle of the woods, has a pond, has pond swimming. It's just minutes to the ocean by car. Hiking and biking for miles."
Price differential: Rhode Island state parks charge significantly more for non-residents. A visitor to Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground reported, "I read the reviews and was excited to be in a state park near the water for such a reasonable price. Imagine my surprise when we found out that a water/electric site for an out of state camper was $45 per night!"
Site topography: Level sites can be difficult to find at some facilities. A Burlingame visitor noted, "Hundreds of sites, some level some not, some dirt sites, some grassy, some with a ton of shade, some out in the open."
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Burlingame, a camper warned, "Bath houses - are usually pretty filthy, and that's because there are too many people per bath house, and people are gross."
Generator restrictions: Most campgrounds limit generator usage to specific hours. At Charlestown Breachway, "The campground only allows generators to be run from 0800-2000."
Off-peak reservations: Avoiding peak summer weekends improves the experience. A Burlingame visitor advised, "Avoid holiday weekends and the heat of August if you can."
Water activities: Multiple swimming options keep children entertained. At Wawaloam Campground, "This is kid heaven. Families laughing and enjoying themselves. Besides the pool they have a splash pad, a water slide, mini golf, a nice pond for fishing."
Check site layout: Request specific site maps before booking. One family at Fort Getty noted, "Our site was very sloped and had a huge tree trunk in the middle. We asked to change but they were booked."
Budget extras: Many amenities require additional fees. At Mystic KOA, a visitor observed, "The pool is small and usually crowded, but still very well kept. And then there's mini golf, hay rides, and lots of fun planned activities."
Self-contained requirements: Several waterfront campgrounds require fully self-contained RVs. At Fort Getty Campground, "This is RV only campground. No running water. No electricity hookup. No dump station. Only trash and outhouses."
Road noise: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. A Mystic KOA camper mentioned, "The only drawback is the proximity to Interstate 95. You can hear the highway very well at night, particularly in the safari field."
Parking limitations: Vehicle policies vary by campground. At Fort Getty, a visitor complained, "Worst part is you can't bring your car on the site. Do not understand this, especially since it was over 95° and we have dogs that need AC."
Dump station access: Plan for waste disposal needs in advance. At Charlestown Breachway, "There are no hookups or even a dump station, but your site may overlook the channel and is only a very short walk away from the beach."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlestown Breachway campground open for tent camping?
Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground does not allow tent camping. This campground is strictly for self-contained RVs with permanent toilets and water tanks. No pop-ups or canvas camping is permitted. The facility is essentially a parking lot with no hookups and only composting toilets available. For tent camping options near Charlestown, consider Wawaloam Campground, a family-friendly private campground with amenities like a pool and splash features in a wooded setting that welcomes tent campers.
What are the fees for camping at Charlestown Beach campground?
Camping fees in Rhode Island state parks like Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground vary significantly based on residency status, with out-of-state visitors paying premium rates (around $45 per night for water/electric sites). Similar pricing structures apply to Charlestown Beach camping areas. For more affordable options, George Washington State Campground offers reasonable fees, especially for Rhode Island residents. Expect to pay higher rates during peak summer season (June-August) and lower rates during shoulder seasons.
What campgrounds are available in Charlestown, RI?
Charlestown, RI offers several camping options including Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground, a popular waterfront destination with beach access. Nearby, East Beach State Campground provides a more primitive camping experience. For those seeking more amenities, Burlingame State Park Campground is a short drive away with 739 reservable campsites spread across 3100 acres, offering good privacy at many sites. The area also has private options like Worden's Pond Family Campground in neighboring South Kingstown.
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