S
Sam M.
Scout
ScoutCrocker's Boatyard
Convenient and Safe
Friendly, clean and convenient. By chance, we were there during the annual fireworks.
Camping near Block Island, RI
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping near Block Island, Rhode Island ranges from developed campgrounds along coastal areas to primitive beach campsites in inland woodlands. Burlingame State Park Campground in Charlestown offers tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options in a forested setting with pond access. Charlestown Breachway State Park provides RV-only camping with direct beach access, while East Beach State Campground requires self-contained vehicles for its primitive beach camping. Fishermens Memorial State Park in Narragansett accommodates both tent and RV campers within 15 miles of the Block Island ferry terminal.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from April through October, with limited availability outside this window. "You can't really beat the price and location combo of 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," notes one camper. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when occupancy reaches capacity, particularly at waterfront locations. Weather conditions include warm, humid summers and mild, sometimes stormy shoulder seasons. Several campgrounds have limited infrastructure—many lack full hookups or operate without showers and modern restroom facilities. East Beach and Charlestown Breachway specifically require self-contained RVs with permanent toilets and water tanks.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings despite basic amenities. Campers frequently mention the sound of ocean waves, beach access, and fishing opportunities as primary attractions. "Falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing" was highlighted as a notable experience at Charlestown Breachway. However, reviews indicate mixed experiences with facility cleanliness and site privacy. Burlingame State Park, while expansive with over 700 sites, generates feedback about noise during peak weekends and holiday periods. Several reviewers note that the campground's size creates varied experiences—some areas offer relative seclusion while others feel crowded. Proximity to area beaches, including Misquamicut and opportunities for day trips to Mystic, Connecticut, enhance the appeal of camping in this coastal New England region.
Best Campgrounds near Block Island (82)
1. Burlingame State Park Campground
"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."
from $18 - $50 / night
Check Availability2. Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground
"Fisherman’s Memorial State Park is a large 182 site campground in Narragansett, Rhode Island."
"Love the closeness to the ferry to block island, shops & restaurants."
from $18 - $28 / night
Check Availability3. Mystic KOA
"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."
4. Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground
"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."
"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."
from $18 / night
Check Availability5. Hither Hills State Park Campground
"Drawback is 10 minute walk to the general store/ranger station and 5 minutes to the beach (10 to swimming area). Almost no cell service! 2 bars was the maximum and finding that was rare."
"Hither Hills campground is clean, well run and is just one dune away from an incredible stretch of beach."
from $37 / night
Check Availability6. East Beach State Campground
"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."
from $28 / night
Check Availability7. Ashaway RV Resort
"It is a quick drive to the beach, we loved Westerly & Misquamicut Beaches. Lots to do in the area and stores if needed."
8. Wordens Pond Family Campground
from $60 / night
Check Availability9. Crocker's Boatyard
"One mile from block island ferry."
"Which was walking distance from the boat yard. Had a bite to eat at the Blue Duck, it was fine. Saw the show and walk back to the boat yard."
from $50 - $75 / night
Check Availability10. Fort Getty Campground
"Perfect location for a summer / beach camp. Mostly for RVs but tent site #6 was great. Views of the ocean to wake up too and tucked away from main area."
"Such a beautiful destination for tourists, travelers, & beach goers....Talk about being right on the water with access to excellent swimming."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 16 min from Providence, RI
- 1 hr 41 min from Norwich, CT
- 2 hrs 9 min from New Haven, CT
- 2 hrs 14 min from Hartford, CT
Recent Camping Photos near Block Island, RI
138 Photos of 82 Block Island Campgrounds
Todd J.
Burlingame State Park Campground
Joanna M.
Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground
Jenn
Mystic KOA
Jacob P.
Fort Getty Campground
jake
Hither Hills State Park Campground
Rachel D.
Whispering Pines Campground
Greg S.
Wawaloam Campground
Antone R.
Green Falls Campground
Marilou O.
Countryside RV Park
Miccal M.
Nature's Campsites
Erick B.
Strawberry Park
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Maurolou Farm
Recent Reviews near Block Island, RI
438 Reviews of 82 Block Island Campgrounds
- UUA C.Scout
Crocker's Boatyard
The fireworks-WOW
Had a wonderful 2 night stay, an added plus were the annual fireworks, a wonderful surprise. Highly recommend Crocker’s BoatYard, friendly, safe, convenient location and lovely pool as well.
- AAndrew B.Scout
Crocker's Boatyard
Beautiful and convenient
Easy to get to, great communication and lovely location. Recommended!
- BBlake N.Scout
Crocker's Boatyard
Awesome
This place is fantastic and I would definitely stay again. It is a working shipyard and marina. Excellent showers. Very nice pool and pool deck with umbrella right on the water. One mile from block island ferry.
- DDavid G.
TravelerCrocker's Boatyard
Great spot and great hosts
Crocker’s is a nice relaxing scenic place to stay in the New London area.
Walking distance to restaurants and to Fort Trumbull.
So much fun watching the boats and boating activities.
Electric and water included. There is a free dump station about a mile away (during regular business hours). *Can be found on The Dyrt.
Hosts were super friendly and had nice recommendations for places to see around town. Thank you !!!! We will definitely be visiting again. 
Kaileigh K.
GuideFort Getty Campground
Great location!
Fort Getty campground was in an incredible location to Jamestown and with many things to do in the park itself. The tent sites are open field style and some groups can get big so be ready for that. We had tent site 6 and it was tucked back in its own little area which was an awesome surprise. Overall we had a quick stay and everyone we encountered was friendly, bathrooms are older but a short walk from tent area. The access the Jamestown and the surrounding areas and views is what makes this place totally worth it!
- VVictoria V.Traveler
Hide-A-Way Cove Campground
Just okay
When we arrived at our site we were instantly greeted with an angry resident. He started shooing us away as we were trying to park our camper at our site. He needed to back out and leave but we had only been there no more than 3 minutes before he popped up angrily. There are a lot of long term campers there. Very very unkept campers. Broken down, damaged, some look unlivable. Some may not like the dozens of cats everywhere, but I did. It’s fun to spot a new cat roaming around the campground. The pool is nice and clean. The playground is cute. The Arcade is not worth going to. A lot of the games were broken or empty. Bikes are NOT allowed. My 8 year old son was riding his bike and we were told he couldn’t do that at this campground. The pond/beach area is beautiful. You can try fishing in it. We didn’t catch anything. I definitely don’t suggest swimming in it. It’s not clean enough for that. Camp “store” is very minimal in what they have. Mostly little candy and some minor essentials. There is also a little restaurant attached to the camp store. I like that the sites were grass and not dirt. Or site did not have sewer. We had to go to the dump station to empty black water.
Nancy W.
LegendNewport RV Park
Clean sites, good location.
We stayed here a number of years ago when it was Milleville Ponds Campground and what an improvement! The park is really clean, well mowed, well-packed gravel roads and camping pads. No problem for big-rigs. There are some seasonals but their sites were tidy. About half the campsites are in the woods and half in the open. There are some deluxe sites with paved patios and nicer fire pits but they are really close together and no shade. We really liked our site (#400) which was gravel, long and level. (We would choose 401 if we came back.) The patio had nice grass which our dog loved. The utilities were well-placed and the electric legs were good at 124 volts. I called to see if there was cable tv because there was a connection on our post and was told that some sites had cable. But, when I hooked it up, we didn’t get any channels; however, we got about 60 over-the-air tv channels. Great wifi. Not much for amenities, just a pavilion and playground. There is a public dog park just outside the park that is really big and you can walk a ¼ mile to a hiking trail. There are three airstreams and a 3-bedroom house for rent. The bath house is centrally located. Unfortunately, they are not super close to the tent sites and there is no path through campsites so you either have to walk around or cut through someone’s site. It took us anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes to get downtown (depending on traffic). There are few restaurants nearby and a grocery less than ten minutes away. Overall, we liked how clean and well-kept the park was and enjoyed our site. We stayed eight nights with the average nightly cost at $81and would come back if in the area.
- Richard A.Traveler
Gibson Hill RV Park
Worst I've Been To Blatant Deceptive Advertising
Let me save you from making a grave mistake. The campground was quiet. That's the best thing I can say about Gibson Hill after spending a week there. Totally unkempt and in disarray. The roads are a rocky, dusty rutted mess. The campsites while some newly graveled, not well I might add, are not level. The electric at my site kept tripping off. I finally discovered, with no help from the non-existent management, that the service disconnect breaker was bad. Luckily I had an extra 30A cord and was able to plug into the unoccupied adjacent site. How this abomination has any 5 star reviews is above my pay grade. During the week we were here we never saw a camp representative. We were not welcomed by anyone affiliated with the campground and I never saw anyone on duty in the office. The is NO weekly entertainment. There is NO weekly bonfire. THERE IS NO POOL. Our site had no picnic table and no fire ring and had areas dotted with clumps of gray fur. Obviously noone had inspected our site for cleanliness prior to our arrival. Our first visitor was a 4' rat snake. There was debris strewn all over the grounds. There was one trash container. Unlined and uncovered. No dog poop bags or signs regarding poop pickup. There was a lot of demolition but no new construction ongoing. The“pool” is a 4’ deep square under construction and far from being completed. The“resort” signage was a joke. It took me 3 tries to find my way out of the campground. The entrance sign is installed parallel to the road rather than perpendicular to it for visibility. The number of decrepit or abandoned trailers on site was unbelievable. We were never told if the campground was under new management and/or under going refurbishment. In any event it was missing the mark. Unfortunately we paid for a week in advance so we were stuck here. NEVER AGAIN. I’m leaving this truthful review so no other potential campers are duped into staying here. Definitely an absentee owner who doesn't have a clue. Really too bad because the location and grounds have enormous potential. I will let Happy Grounds and RV LIFE know of my great disappointment and suspect reviews. By the way, to the reviewer who said they enjoyed the pool. THERE IS NO POOL. There is NO on-site management.
Guide to Block Island
Accessing Rhode Island's coastal camping areas requires planning, particularly for those seeking options near Block Island ferries. Self-contained RVs have the most accommodation choices, while tent campers face more limited sites. Most campgrounds in the region operate on a seasonal schedule from May through September, with peak summer months requiring advance reservations due to high demand. When securing a campsite near Block Island, Rhode Island, timing is essential as the prime waterfront locations book months ahead.
What to do
Fishing from the shore: At Theodore Roosevelt County Park, campers can fish directly from the beach. "Bring your poles for surf casting, generator during the day. No air conditioning, but w Maxx fan and ocean breezes, I've never felt the need," notes Diana F. This park provides primitive beach camping with direct ocean access.
Beach swimming alternatives: Burlingame State Park Campground offers pond swimming as an alternative to ocean beaches. "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," explains Jessica A. The pond provides calmer waters ideal for families with young children.
Day trips to Newport: From Wawaloam Campground, campers can explore Newport's attractions. "In wooded, rural Rhode Island, but an easy day trip to Newport," mentions Cynthia K. The campground serves as a convenient base for visiting coastal towns and attractions within a 35-minute drive.
What campers like
Beach access variety: East Beach State Campground provides a less developed shoreline experience. "Mostly less developed beach area, peaceful shoreline with essential amenities," writes Lyssa M., who appreciates the natural setting. This campground requires self-contained vehicles with permanent facilities.
Private beaches for pets: Fort Getty Campground offers pet-friendly beach areas away from the main swimming zones. "The private pet friendly beaches were great! Small but perfect to relax. No problems with the pets at all and old but clean bathrooms," reports Steve T. These smaller beach sections allow dogs while maintaining separation from primary recreation areas.
Weather considerations: Summer camping includes ocean breezes that moderate temperatures. "No air conditioning, but w Maxx fan and ocean breezes, I've never felt the need," observes a Roosevelt County Park camper. Even during July and August heat waves, coastal sites benefit from natural cooling that reduces the need for generators or hookups.
What you should know
Out-of-state pricing: Non-residents face significantly higher fees at several state facilities. At Fishermens Memorial State Park, "Imagine my surprise when we found out that a water/electric site for an out of state camper was $45 per night! This was our first visit to a Rhode Island State Park so not sure if they are all like this but this one definitely caters to Rhode Island residents," notes Lee D. Expect to pay double for prime waterfront sites as a non-resident.
Self-contained vehicle requirements: East Beach and Charlestown Breachway strictly enforce RV regulations. "We were evicted because we have a Nature's Head composting Toilet. They require plumbed in black water," warns Bud W. Portable toilets and composting systems do not qualify as self-contained units at these locations.
Noise factors: Environmental noise affects some camping areas. "Road noise continued throughout the night and there is a wind turbine on the property. I've never been this close to one and yes, there is noise, although the road noise bothered me more," explains a Fishermens Memorial camper. Additionally, several campgrounds report weekend party groups with minimal enforcement of quiet hours.
Tips for camping with families
Avoid lakeside sites at larger parks: At Burlingame State Park, families should choose specific areas. "If you want a good visit do not stay down by the lake!!!" advises David M. The lakefront sites tend to be busier and noisier than other sections of this extensive campground.
Budget-friendly options: Families can find affordable sites at select parks. "Very affordable (around $14 per night). We stayed near the camp store and playground. Lots to do with kids including fishing, game room, and hiking," shares Cendy G. about Burlingame State Park. Proximity to amenities reduces the need for driving once established at camp.
Water recreation alternatives: Mystic KOA offers multiple water attractions beyond beach access. "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," explains Cynthia K. These structured recreation options provide family entertainment during inclement weather or when ocean conditions are rough.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup information: Many waterfront sites lack full services. "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," reports Laura L. about Charlestown Breachway. RVers must arrive with full water tanks and empty waste tanks, planning for limited stays.
Generator restrictions: Beach camping areas have specific generator hours. "The campground only allows generators to be run from 0800-2000. Even though it was in the high 80's, we barely ran the generator during the day," notes Justin F. about summer camping at Charlestown Breachway. The ocean breezes made air conditioning unnecessary despite high temperatures.
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for uneven terrain. "Many unlevel sites. Fairly close together," warns Shawn about Fishermens Memorial State Park. Bringing leveling blocks and stabilization equipment is essential, particularly at the coastal parks where sites may slope toward water features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find official campgrounds on Block Island?
Where can I find official campgrounds on Block Island?
Block Island has limited official camping options. The primary designated camping area is Fort Getty Campground, which serves as the island's main campground. While not directly on Block Island, many campers stay at mainland options and take the ferry for day trips. Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground is conveniently located near the Block Island Ferry terminal, making it a popular base for island visitors. Call ahead to confirm availability and regulations before planning your trip, as camping options on the island can be restricted, especially during peak summer season.
Can you camp on Block Island with an RV?
Can you camp on Block Island with an RV?
RV camping options on Block Island are extremely limited. The island is small with narrow roads that can be challenging for larger vehicles. While not on Block Island itself, Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground is a mainland option for self-contained RVs (with permanent toilets/water tanks) that offers access to Block Island via ferry. For those wanting to explore the island with an RV setup, consider Crocker's Boatyard on the mainland, which provides RV accommodations within walking distance of ferry service to Block Island. Most visitors with RVs opt to leave their vehicle on the mainland and visit the island as a day trip.
Is camping allowed anywhere on Block Island or only in designated areas?
Is camping allowed anywhere on Block Island or only in designated areas?
Camping on Block Island is restricted to designated areas only. Free camping or dispersed camping is not permitted anywhere on the island. Visitors must use established campgrounds like the designated camping area at Wordens Pond Family Campground on the mainland. Many Block Island visitors choose Burlingame State Park Campground on the mainland as their base, which offers reasonable rates for Rhode Island residents (though higher for out-of-state visitors). The island has strict regulations to protect its natural environment, so always secure proper camping arrangements before your visit. Unauthorized camping could result in fines.
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