Campsites near Carolina, Rhode Island offer varying levels of access to coastal and woodland environments within southern New England. Most camping areas maintain moderate to flat terrain with elevations rarely exceeding 200 feet above sea level. The camping season typically experiences humid conditions with average summer temperatures between 65-85°F, while spring and fall can see significant temperature fluctuations requiring adaptable gear.
What to do
Kayaking at ponds and waterways: Green Falls Campground provides excellent paddling opportunities. As one camper shared, "There's a nice pond walking distance from site with great swimming and fishing."
Beach access: At Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground, you're positioned for easy coastal activities. A reviewer noted, "About a little over a mile walk to Narragansett, an adorable beach community with lots of shops and places to eat as well as close to the ferry to Block Island."
Hiking nearby trails: Within 10 minutes of Whispering Pines Campground, outdoor enthusiasts can find exceptional hiking. "We drove about 10 min to some awesome trails which literally crossed the Connecticut and Rhode Island border," according to one visitor.
Swimming options: Many campgrounds offer swimming facilities beyond the ocean. At Strawberry Park, "There are 6 pools with adult only pool and splash pad for the kiddos," according to one camper review.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds near Carolina offer generous spacing. A Wawaloam Campground visitor observed, "The front camping section is very pleasant and well spaced out. We had a lot of fun here."
Entertainment options: Beyond outdoor recreation, many campgrounds provide organized activities. One visitor to Strawberry Park remarked, "When my family went here it poured! And we were thankful that there were so many things to do, painting ceramics, karaoke, an arcade."
Water recreation amenities: Regional campgrounds often feature water attractions. A visitor to Wawaloam noted, "The pool, splash pad, live music and activities for the kids were great!"
Scenic coastal camping: Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground offers direct water access. "It's very close to the beach, watch both the sunrise and the sunset at the site. Falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing," one camper shared.
What you should know
Reservation timing: For peak summer camping, advanced planning is crucial. At Burlingame State Park Campground, crowds can be significant. "This is a HUGE state park campground with over 700 sites. Do not come on a holiday weekend, it's packed," one camper advised.
Site variability: Terrain and conditions can vary dramatically between sites at the same campground. A Fishermens Memorial visitor cautioned, "Area One has the best views and full hookups but there is no bathhouse; Area Two also has full hookups, no view and some of the sites (55-65) are decidedly not level."
Bathroom facilities: Campgrounds in the region have widely varying bathroom quality. A camper at Hopeville Pond State Park Campground reported, "In the main section, there is a very large and clean indoor bathhouse with free showers."
Generator restrictions: Many campgrounds limit generator use. At Charlestown Breachway, "Generators only 8a-8p. Clam shack, marina, deli, and ice cream place nearby, but I doubt you'll want to fight the traffic on a summer day."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Water features provide significant entertainment value. At Wawaloam Campground, one family noted, "Lots of stuff to do for kids…tons. Pools close at 8pm so that's a bummer and wood is super expensive but overall a nice campground with lots of very big sites."
Kid-friendly programming: Many campgrounds offer organized activities. A visitor to Hopeville Pond State Park Campground shared, "Kids were pedaling their bikes, as the adults visited one another, my wife and I joined in and visited many fire pits, met good family people."
Recreation diversity: Families benefit from varied activity options. At Burlingame State Park, a camper found, "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."
Budget considerations: Some campgrounds offer significant value. At Burlingame State Park, one camper reported, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV campers should prepare for uneven sites. At Fishermens Memorial State Park, a camper observed, "There are four areas, and each has advantages and disadvantages. Area One has the best views and full hookups but there is no bathhouse; Area Two also has full hookups, no view and some of the sites (55-65) are decidedly not level."
Full hookup availability: Hookup options vary significantly between campgrounds. At Mystic KOA, "We snagged a late reservation over a busy summer weekend so the place was packed. Our site (Q15) was all grass which was fine with us because the grass was nice and thick. There was no defined pad, instead just hookups to back in next to."
Self-contained requirements: Some beachfront camping requires specific RV capabilities. At Charlestown Breachway, "If you have a self-contained RV (no pop-up/canvas; permanent toilets/water tanks), like the beach, fishing, boating, and/or windsurfing, this may just be the park for you."
Off-season considerations: Consider camping outside peak periods. A visitor to Mystic KOA reported, "The campground staff did a great job managing the Covid regulations… We were able to use the pool, facilities and the store and never felt that we were compromised."
