Campgrounds near Bradford, Rhode Island range from state parks to private facilities, with several options within a 30-minute drive. Top-rated campgrounds in the area include Burlingame State Park Campground in Charlestown, which 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 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.
$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."
"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."
$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."
$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 - $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."
$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
"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."
"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."
$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."
ScoutWe spent the weekend here with our 4 kiddos ages 8,6,4, and 3. The kids had a blast. The bathrooms are spotless. They are in the process if renovating but that didnt interfere with our visit. They have a playground, pool, and yard games for the kiddos to use. Wish they had bigger grass sites. I think they will have some in the future.
LegendThis is a great oceanfront campground located behind the dunes of Buzzards Bay. We booked early since the park only has 100 sites and we wanted a 50A site (not all sites have electric so pay close attention when you book). Our campsite has a picnic table and fire pit and was paved with a sand patio. The electric was good with both legs above 120 volts. The bathhouse was clean and is situated in the middle of the campground. There is a dump station which is easily accessible. Roads are one-way but the sites are angled so backing in was easy. Water spigots scattered throughout the campground, and we were close enough to one that we could have filled our tank, if needed. There is no shade and it can be quite windy. Dogs are allowed on the beach at the campground which is a plus. The sunsets were amazing. There is a small playground for kids but the beach is the draw.
The nightly price for Massachusetts residents is a bargain at $28 but it jumps up over $70 for non-Massachusetts residents. The beach is cobblestone/sand and there is a nice paved walking path that runs parallel. The beach by the campground is very rocky but there is another day use area to the west which gets raked and they remove all the rocks, but can be very busy. There is another hiking trail (about 2 miles) that you can walk to from the campground that goes out on a spit of land where you can walk back along the sandy beach. The beach access is easy since there are mobility mats connecting the campground to the beach.
The closest grocery is approximately 10 minutes away and there are a couple of restaurants closer. We took a drive to New Bedford to see the Whaling Museum and the National Park Service site– both were worth the stop. All in all, we really liked our stay at Horseneck Reservation and would return.
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.
Bradford camping areas provide a mix of wooded and waterfront options within 30 minutes of town. Most campgrounds in this part of Rhode Island remain densely forested with pine trees, creating natural separation between many sites. Winter temperatures drop below freezing from December through March, making summer and fall the primary seasons for a campsite near Bradford, Rhode Island.
Beach swimming within walking distance: At Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground, campers have immediate beach access. "Very close to the beach, watch both the sunrise and the sunset at the site. Falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing," notes camper Jae H. The breachway offers fishing opportunities where visitors regularly catch fish right from shore.
Explore Mystic attractions: Located 15 minutes from Bradford, Mystic KOA serves as a convenient base for nearby attractions. "We love going to Abbotts Lobster in the Rough where we can sit outside eating fresh lobster. Abbotts has great food and an equally nice view. Mystic Pizza is a must due to its popularity of the movie bearing its name which stared Julia Roberts," shares Nancy W.
Kayaking and boat watching: Crocker's Boatyard in nearby Connecticut offers a unique camping experience right at a marina. "Head home around 12 pm stopped at Logee's Greenhouse on the way home. All and All it was a great get away weekend," writes James G. The boatyard's location allows campers to watch boats being launched while having access to local ferries.
Woodland seclusion: Whispering Pines Campground maintains natural forest surroundings. "There are pine trees everywhere in the park, so the owners don't cut down a lot of trees which makes it feel like a real campground and not a field of peoples RV's," according to Charles, who appreciated the natural setting despite modern amenities.
Swimming options beyond beaches: Multiple pools at some campgrounds offer alternatives to beach swimming. "Large campground with 3 pools, many amenities and scheduled activities," reports Robert M. about Strawberry Park. Most campgrounds with pools generally operate them from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with weekday maintenance closures common.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention facility maintenance across multiple campgrounds. "Bathrooms were clean, nice pool area and water slide. Best part of the campground was the Bar Car. A converted bus offering frozen adult and kid friendly beverages," notes Tony B. at Mystic KOA, demonstrating that unique amenities sometimes stand out more than standard features.
Price variations for residents vs. visitors: Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground charges significantly more for out-of-state visitors. A camper named Lee D. observed: "Imagine my surprise when we found out that a water/electric site for an out of state camper was $45 per night! The sites with the best views are the full hookups (water/electric/sewer) and the rates for out of state campers are significantly more than for residents."
Limited camping styles at some locations: Several campgrounds restrict the types of camping permitted. Charlestown Breachway requires self-contained RVs only and does not permit tent camping, while others prohibit alcohol or have strict generator hours.
Booking windows and availability: Most Rhode Island state parks open reservations 9 months in advance, with waterfront sites booking completely within hours of becoming available. Private campgrounds often accept reservations up to a year ahead for peak summer dates.
Water features beyond swimming: Wawaloam Campground offers multiple water-based activities. "This is a well maintained facility with nice camp sites. 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," Christine C. mentions. The splash pad provides a safe option for younger children who might not be ready for pool swimming.
Organized activities schedule: Many campgrounds provide structured entertainment for children. "The kids got to enjoy a brand new splash pad which was great and a small train ride around the park," according to Johnny W., highlighting how transportation-themed activities appeal to younger campers.
Proximity to educational attractions: Several campgrounds position themselves near museums and learning opportunities. "We were going to show at the Garde Theater. Which was walking distance from the boat yard. The next day we took the ferry to Block Island which was also walking distance from the boat yard. Block Island a must see," shares James G. about staying at Crocker's Boatyard.
Site levelness varies significantly: Campgrounds built on natural terrain often have uneven sites. "Heavy traffic on the street but quieted down at night," reports Jody R. at Crocker's Boatyard, while Andrew P. notes about Burlingame: "Hundreds of sites, some level some not, some dirt sites, some grassy, some with a ton of shade."
Generator restrictions: Most campgrounds near Bradford restrict generator usage to daytime hours. At Charlestown Breachway, "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. There was such a nice breeze," according to Justin F.
Limited services at waterfront locations: Proximity to water often means fewer hookups. At East Beach State Campground, self-contained vehicles are mandatory as Lyssa M. advises: "Camping here REQUIRES a self contained vehicle, please respect the nature of this beach and pack out everything you pack in."
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 51 reviews.
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