Camping near Carolina, Rhode Island offers tent, RV, and cabin options with varying amenities. The region's coastal New England climate features warm summers with average highs of 80°F and mild fall temperatures around 65°F through September. Primitive camping options are limited, with most campgrounds offering developed sites with moderate tree cover and access to pond or coastal recreation.
What to Do
Beach access: At Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground, campers are just steps from Block Island Sound. "This is RV only campground... Very close to the beach, watch both the sunrise and the sunset at the site. Falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing," notes Jae H.
Water activities: Hopeville Pond State Park Campground offers multiple water recreation options. "From here, we paddled south to the end of the pond and up the Pachaug River, eventually reaching the dam at Pachaug Pond. It's an 8 mile paddle with some tricky spots to navigate, but very pretty!" reports Cynthia K.
Off-season exploration: Visit during shoulder seasons for quieter experiences. "We were there the weekend after Labor Day weekend in 2014, and it was pretty quiet. Nice for biking, cute little beach, dog friendly," says Katelain T. about Burlingame State Park.
What Campers Like
Diverse site options: Mystic KOA offers various camping experiences. "The cabins in the S section are off to themselves and have lots more space," explains Nancy W., who adds that "There are plenty of rental cabins and they were adding a dozen or so more when we were there."
Kid-friendly amenities: Family activities abound at Strawberry Park. Ryan C. shares, "Bingo every night, and more activities than you could possibly do! The kids ride their bikes to the sports fields, the rec center for the pool and activities. Oh and my young children LOVE the air pillow, they have spent hours on there."
Well-maintained facilities: Campers appreciate clean bathrooms and amenities. At Wawaloam Campground, Michael P. notes, "Staff is very friendly and professional. Camp ground is quiet. Lots of activities for the kids. Large water park on the grounds with two swimming pools, a splash pad and large water slide. Well stocked store."
What You Should Know
Site spacing varies significantly: Site privacy differs between campgrounds and areas within campgrounds. At Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground, Lee D. explains, "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."
Seasonal differences: Campgrounds change drastically between peak and off-peak times. Sean R. reports about Whispering Pines, "I believe we camped there too early in the season to fully enjoy the grounds. The pool, splash pad, and nearly everything else was non operational or locked up still."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience highway noise. Lee D. notes at Fishermens Memorial, "No matter where you camp, there are noise issues. Road noise continued throughout the night and there is a wind turbine on the property."
Tips for Camping with Families
Water features: Dog friendly campgrounds near Carolina often feature water recreation for families. Greg S. shares about Wawaloam, "Large sites, great stone fire rings, full hookups, huge pool, waterslides, splash pad, playground, great camp store... this place brings a lot to the table for a very fair price of 60 bucks."
Plan for weather: Summer thunderstorms are common in Rhode Island. Michelle D. recalls, "When my family went here it poured! And we were thankful that there were so many things to do, painting ceramics, karaoke, an arcade (at the time it had DDR which was all the rage)."
Budget for extras: Many campgrounds charge additional fees for activities. At Mystic KOA, Cynthia K. advises, "There are only a couple of 'primitive' sites here, and I do not recommend those sites because they are very close to the dumpsters."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: RV sites may require leveling equipment. About Fishermens Memorial, Rebecca D. mentions, "We like it here even though it's not our usual kind of campground. It has drivethu sites and full hookups. We usually dry camp. Lots of healthy grass at the sites. Flat spot for our drop camper."
Self-contained requirements: Some waterfront camping areas require self-contained units. At East Beach State Campground, Lyssa M. advises, "Camping here REQUIRES a self contained vehicle, please respect the nature of this beach and pack out everything you pack in."
Off-grid power management: Campgrounds with limited hookups require generator management. At Charlestown Breachway, Justin F. notes, "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."
