Best Campgrounds near Bradford, RI

Campgrounds near Bradford, Rhode Island range from state parks to private facilities, with several options within a 30-minute drive. Burlingame State Park Campground in Charlestown offers over 700 sites for tent camping, RVs, and cabins along a scenic pond. Whispering Pines Campground in Hope Valley provides 210 sites with water and electric hookups for tents, RVs, and cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in the region feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails, with varying levels of amenities from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV pads.

Seasonal considerations heavily influence camping availability in the Bradford area, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Fishermen's Memorial State Park in Narragansett operates seasonally from April to October, while Mystic KOA in nearby Connecticut remains open year-round. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds charge significantly higher rates for out-of-state visitors compared to Rhode Island residents. Bathroom facilities vary widely across locations, from well-maintained shower houses to basic composting toilets with limited hours. One camper noted, "Rhode Island state parks definitely cater to Rhode Island residents who camp in large RVs! The rates for out-of-state campers are significantly more than for residents."

The camping experience near Bradford offers both waterfront opportunities and wooded settings. Charlestown Breachway provides direct beach access with sites steps from Block Island Sound, though it lacks hookups and requires self-contained RVs. Burlingame State Park features a small beach at its pond with canoe rentals available. Several visitors mentioned challenges with site levelness, particularly at Burlingame where one reviewer observed "I didn't see more than a handful of level sites, with varying degrees of slope." Campgrounds closer to Mystic, Connecticut provide convenient access to coastal attractions while maintaining a woodland camping atmosphere. Family-friendly amenities are common at private campgrounds, with pools, splash pads, and organized activities available at locations like Wawaloam Campground and Whispering Pines.

Best Camping Sites Near Bradford, Rhode Island (119)

    1. Burlingame State Park Campground

    50 Reviews
    Charlestown, RI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 322-8910

    $18 / night

    "I've never camped in Rhode Island, so I was curious to see what a state park campground had to offer."

    "My parents stayed in a bunkhouse and my husband and I stayed on the adjacent site. Bunkhouse is very basic but clean. Sites are well spaced with lots of types to choose from."

    2. Mystic KOA

    24 Reviews
    North Stonington, CT
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 599-5101

    "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."

    3. Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Narragansett Pier, RI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 789-8374

    $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."

    4. Wawaloam Campground

    11 Reviews
    Richmond, RI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 294-3039

    $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. 

       "

    5. Strawberry Park

    13 Reviews
    Griswold, CT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 886-1944

    $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!"

    6. Whispering Pines Campground

    7 Reviews
    Rockville, RI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 539-7011

    $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."

    7. Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Charlestown, RI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 322-8910

    $18 / night

    "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."

    8. Sun Outdoors Mystic

    6 Reviews
    Mystic, CT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 817-5696

    "This park is in a great location for exploring Mystic. You are close to downtown, the aquarium, Mystic Seaport and other attractions."

    "Seaport RV is a great, spacious campground with many amenities and a location close to Mystic."

    9. Crocker's Boatyard

    12 Reviews
    New London, CT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 443-6304

    $50 - $75 / night

    "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."

    "Easy access to the boatyard at night; pulled in, picked a spot and all good.

    Enjoyed the pool.

    Walked to Fort Trumbull.

    Recommend Crockers."

    10. East Beach State Campground

    3 Reviews
    Charlestown, RI
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 322-8910

    $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."

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Recent Reviews near Bradford, RI

595 Reviews of 119 Bradford Campgrounds


  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Fort Getty Campground

    Great Park Just Not for Camping

    Forty Getty Park RV Campground seems like a great location, with a good bit of history and a lot to offer to anyone visiting, which is why I was eager to visit it this past weekend while traveling through the Jamestown area of Rhode Island. I'd still call it a great place to visit, just not the best to attempt to stay at overnight or camp at. That is something else entirely in this case. 

    THE GOOD👍 Again, an absolutely gorgeous location on the shores of Jamestown😍 that being the park, NOT the campgrounds. The campground itself🏕 and particularly the⛺️ tenting section are pretty far removed from any of that and the water itself in reality. 

    THE Bad. In actuality, the campground looks to be a complete afterthought. More like, What should we do with this little grassy area next to the RV park?... oh maybe that can be for tents! Or,. Where the hell are we going to fit some tents⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️around here? Oh, I know, how about over on the hill by the bathrooms?🚻 next to the RV park fencing? Oh yeah, that sounds Perfect👍 

    The Ugly There's no Ugly. The people seem nice, the park is great,t and everyone working there was polite and courteous. It's just a shame they haven't given any real consideration to the camping section or provided a real space for campers to come enough the area. What you're left with is a grassy knoll with a bunch of tent sites tightly clustered together and right next to or on top of the RV park in a way that didn't seem necessary.

  • j
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great!

    Great spot with view of harbor, a pool, bathroom and power if needed. Easy to book, good location- near many places of interest.

  • Snooz H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Niantic KOA

    I mean wow!!

    So much going on! They will give free shuttle rides to 3 beaches & downtown Niantic, CT.

    We had tried to get a deluxe location and not completely booked. This is the weekend before Labor Day and they were vanishing point the owner / shuttle driver, John, asked us if we would want to move on Sunday after a bunch of people moved out. And we said absolutely because we're going to be here for 3 more nights.

    And it is huge and amazing! If you want to pay a little extra for the deluxe request slot 92!

  • Jim R.
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Indian Ranch Campground

    Live Music, Lake Views, and Laid-Back Vibes—One of Our Favorite Campgrounds

    We ended up at Indian Ranch Campground after leaving another local campground under less-than-ideal circumstances… and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best accidental discoveries we’ve ever made.

    From the moment we arrived, the energy here was completely different—welcoming, relaxed, and full of life. The campground is beautifully laid out with well-kept sites, plenty of trees, and easy access to Webster Lake(aka Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg—yes, really).

    🎶 The concerts? Incredible. Being able to walk from our campsite to watch national music acts perform live at the Indian Ranch Amphitheater is a game-changer. It’s like a music festival that doesn’t require you to sleep in a muddy field. Huge bonus for music lovers!

    🛺 Golf cart rentals make exploring the campground easy and fun, especially if you're hauling chairs, coolers, or just want to cruise around and enjoy the views.

    🏊‍♂️ The pool is clean and inviting—perfect for relaxing after a show or just enjoying a sunny afternoon.

    🌅 The lake itself is stunning, with spots to sit and watch the boats, fish, or just take in the view. The vibe is very“lake life meets concert culture,” and it works perfectly.

    🍔 There’s also an on-site restaurant inside the gates with great food, cold drinks, and a laid-back patio atmosphere that completes the experience.

    🤝 The people here? Fantastic. Campers were friendly, staff was helpful, and there was an overall sense of community that you just don’t get at every park. In Summary: Awesome mix of camping+ concerts Clean facilities, full hookups, and spacious sites Golf cart rentals= a must! Pool, lake, and great food on-site Walkable access to live shows= chef’s kiss🎶 We stumbled in… and didn’t want to leave If you're looking for more than just a campsite—if you want an experience—this is it. We'll be back. Probably more than once.

  • Jim R.
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Douglas Forest RV Resort

    Please—Do Your Homework Before You Stay Here

    I wish I wasn’t writing this.

    Truly. But if sharing our experience helps even one person avoid the same mistake, then it’s worth it.

    We booked two full weeks at Douglas Forest RV Resort, drawn in by its wooded setting and supposed family-friendly charm. The photos looked peaceful. The location sounded perfect. But within hours of arrival, we realized we had walked into something completely different.

    Almost immediately, we witnessed aggressive, disturbing behavior—adults yelling and chasing children through the park. At one point, a child was literally being pursued by a vehicle. In a campground. On the roads where people walk, dogs are walked, and kids ride bikes. We were shocked. We kept expecting someone from staff to step in—but no one did. When we brought it up to another guest, they just nodded and said,“Yeah… it’s always like this.” Turns out, management is known to overlook certain behavior from“regulars.”

    As we walked the grounds, we also noticed**several people clearly living out of tents—**not camping, not weekend warriors, but living there long-term. It gave the entire campground an uneasy, off-kilter feel. The line between traveler and transient is not well-maintained here, and it adds to the overall lack of safety and structure.

    We were ready to leave that night, but with tight, poorly lit roads, towing out after dark just wasn’t safe. So we locked up, barely slept, and pulled out at first light. We had paid for 14 nights. We stayed one. And we didn’t ask for a refund—because honestly, we just wanted out.

    And yes, we later discovered that many of the glowing reviews online were written by someone who works at the campground. That’s not just misleading—it’s reckless. Campers rely on those reviews to make informed choices.

    Douglas Forest RV Resort could be something special, but it’s not. Not right now. Not while safety is ignored, accountability is non-existent, and some guests are clearly treated as untouchable. Please, do your homework before booking here.

    We wish we had—just one day earlier.

  • Glenn M.
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Douglas Forest RV Resort

    Reviews seem to be disappearing for this property.

    Mixed Experience- Potential Hindered by Operational Issues

    The new ownership appears committed to improvements, though the focus seems more on revenue generation than guest experience at this time. 

    Infrastructure Concerns: The electrical system needs significant attention. Multiple RVs share single pedestals, and we observed exposed wire connections and pest issues at electrical boxes. Power fluctuations are common during warm weather, causing frequent breaker trips. The road system requires maintenance- while some fresh gravel has been applied, many intersections remain challenging for larger trailers due to poor grading and poorly placed boulders. 

    Accommodations& Atmosphere: This is primarily a seasonal/long-term resident park rather than a traditional camping resort. The site composition includes many permanent residents, which creates more of a residential community feel. For those seeking a transient camping experience, this may not align with expectations.

    Facilities: The pool is well-maintained and enjoyable. However, other amenities need attention- the playground equipment shows its age, and laundry facilities, while clean, have mechanical reliability issues. Currently, only one restroom facility is fully operational, with others being gradually brought online.

    Accessibility: Most sites feature loose gravel surfaces that may present challenges for guests with mobility equipment. The playground uses mulch surfacing, which may also limit accessibility.

    Management: Communication with management regarding concerns can be challenging, and families should be prepared for a more relaxed supervision environment.

    Bottom Line: While the location has natural beauty and potential, current operational challenges and pricing don't align well with the amenity level provided. Those seeking a quiet, well-maintained camping experience might find better value elsewhere until improvements are completed. Positive reviews seem to be coming from investors of the campground or people with personal interest.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    The Quarry Campground

    Lots of Amenities

    The Quarry has something for everyone. Swimming, fishing, hiking, seasonal, daily, full hookups or tenting. Lots of pull throughs!

  • Glenn M.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Douglas Forest RV Park

    Promises made, promises broken

    Not a Resort—Not Even Close This campground has one thing going for it: location. It’s nestled in a scenic area, close to lakes, shops, and local attractions. Unfortunately, everything beyond the zip code falls short—way short. Let’s start with the reviews. Many of the 5-star ratings appear to be posted by people connected to the park. The previous owners—who were reportedly ordered to step away—are still involved in daily operations and“renovations.” Now, the electrical situation. There are vague mentions of a future upgrade, but as of August, there’s no approved plan, and no work has started. The power system is unreliable and, frankly, unsafe. Breakers trip when multiple A/Cs run on warm days. Some pedestals are shared between up to four RVs. Others are infested with mice—yes, actual live and dead mice inside the boxes. We saw it ourselves. Several campers experienced rig damage from voltage instability. Water is mostly consistent now, but it had its fair share of issues due to poor piping and electrical problems with the well pump. Wi-Fi? Don’t count on it. There’s no campground internet available. One of the employees shared their personal hotspot with nearby campers, but it’s limited in range and speed. If you plan on working remotely, streaming, or even browsing, bring your own connection. Roads through the park are rough and rocky. There were attempts to improve them, but it looks like they ran out of time, money, or interest. Some sections have reclaimed pavement material, but most side roads are loose stone and dirt. Large RVs beware—tight corners, misplaced boulders, and uneven terrain can be tricky. Walk your path first. Accessibility is a major issue. Most campsites are covered in loose rock, making them almost impossible to navigate with mobility aids. Wheelchairs are a hard no. Even the ADA ramp to the laundry has a lip so high, it’s a barrier, not a benefit. One ADA-compliant restroom exists—way at the front of the park—with a single unisex shower. The men’s bathroom is still under construction(and was promised months ago), while the women’s side only recently reopened—and initially had no stall dividers. Campground rules? Not enforced. Kids run wild on four-wheelers, tearing through pedestrian areas and between campsites. Many roam unsupervised well into the night. They're often seen peeking at gear on other sites. Staff does little to correct behavior or enforce pool rules(kids under 16 in the water without supervision). The saltwater pool is the nicest feature—but it’s only 4 feet deep and the heater doesn’t function properly. Lastly, the park has visible homeless encampments on-site. I have no issue with people down on their luck, but it’s misleading to call this a“resort” when the grounds reflect neglect and mismanagement. For the price, you expect better—at minimum, safety, functionality, and truth in advertising. TL;DR: Great location. Poor management. Unsafe electrical. Limited amenities. No Wi-Fi. Inaccessible for anyone with mobility challenges. Disruptive environment. The campground could be something special—but right now, it's a work in progress being marketed as a finished product. Would I stay again? Not unless things change dramatically. Spend your money elsewhere—for now.


Guide to Bradford

Camping near Bradford, Rhode Island, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore the beaches: Many campgrounds are close to stunning beaches. For instance, Hammonasset State Park Campground is just a short drive away and offers a beautiful beach experience. One camper mentioned, "The beach was popular, and there was a stream running from a pond that kids were playing in."

  • Visit local attractions: If you're near Mystic KOA, you're only 15 minutes from Mystic, CT. A visitor shared, "This campground is just 15-minutes from Mystic and about an hour’s drive to Newport, Rhode Island."

  • Hiking and nature walks: Campgrounds like George Washington State Campground provide access to hiking trails. A reviewer noted, "The campground sites and facilities were well kept. The employees drove by at least once an hour."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground, one visitor said, "Bathrooms are very nice," highlighting the cleanliness.
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A camper at Newport RV Park mentioned, "The park was recently updated and was beautiful," emphasizing the spaciousness.
  • Friendly staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of campground staff. At Boston/Cape Cod KOA, a visitor noted, "Staff and Management are available to help."

What you should know:

  • Booking in advance: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A camper at Hammonasset State Park Campground advised, "If you are looking for a site, it’s best to book far in advance."
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at Massasoit State Park Campground mentioned, "There is no dump station on site and $7 for four pieces of firewood."
  • Noise levels: Depending on the location, some campgrounds can be noisy. A camper at Rocky Neck State Park Campground noted, "Overnight noise was an issue. Lots of cars coming and going."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for kids: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly activities. At Normandy Farms Campground, one parent said, "It has so many things for the kids to do."
  • Choose spacious sites: Opt for campgrounds that offer larger sites for family gatherings. A camper at Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground mentioned, "Very clean, spacious bathrooms and showers are clean."
  • Plan for meals: Bring your own cooking supplies or check if the campground has a camp store. A visitor at Mystic KOA noted, "The camp store has a small variety of camp supplies, drinks, and food."

Tips from RVers:

  • Leveling blocks: Be prepared for uneven sites. A camper at Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground advised, "Bring plenty of leveling blocks!"
  • Check site conditions: Before booking, check the site conditions. A visitor at George Washington State Campground mentioned, "The sites were cleanish and the grounds were taken care of."
  • Water pressure: Some campgrounds may have varying water pressure. A camper at Newport RV Park noted, "Water pressure was @ 50 psi."

Camping near Bradford, Rhode Island, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Bradford, RI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bradford, RI is Burlingame State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 50 reviews.