Camping areas near Charlestown, Rhode Island sit within a coastal plain ecosystem at elevations typically under 100 feet above sea level. The region experiences strong ocean breezes throughout summer camping season, which both moderate temperatures and create challenging conditions for tent campers without proper stakes and guylines. Campgrounds in this area generally operate from April through October, with East Beach State Campground offering more limited seasonal availability.
What to do
Beach access: East Beach State Campground provides direct beach frontage with primitive camping options. A camper noted, "Mostly less developed beach area, peaceful shoreline with essential amenities. Camping here REQUIRES a self contained vehicle, please respect the nature of this beach and pack out everything you pack in."
Fishing opportunities: Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground offers excellent fishing access where visitors regularly catch fish. "There were many people fishing and reeling them in. The campground has small boat ramp at the end; Great place to bring the kayaks for sure," reported one camper.
Nearby trails: Whispering Pines Campground serves as a good base for nearby hiking. "We drove about 10 min to some awesome trails which literally crossed the Connecticut and Rhode Island border," mentioned a camper who stayed during early season.
Water activities: Multiple pools, splash pads and water features make Wawaloam Campground popular with water enthusiasts. "Large water park on the grounds with two swimming pools, a slash pad and large water slide," noted a recent visitor.
What campers like
Ocean breezes: The cooling effects of coastal winds are especially appreciated during summer months at waterfront sites. A camper at Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground remarked, "Even though it was in the high 80's, we barely ran the generator during the day. There was such a nice breeze. We had our windows open but curtains down to keep it dark."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the region feature larger than average sites. At Burlingame State Park Campground, a camper observed, "Spacious - even with all those sites, there's plenty of room between sites and tons of open space for kids to run around, fly a kite, play tag, hide and seek."
Family activities: Scheduled events keep younger campers engaged. At Whispering Pines, a visitor shared, "Staff is very friendly and professional. Camp ground is quiet. Lots of activities for the kids."
Pond swimming: Fresh water options complement ocean beaches. A Burlingame State Park visitor commented, "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."
What you should know
Price differential: Rhode Island state parks charge significantly more for non-residents. A visitor to Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground reported, "I read the reviews and was excited to be in a state park near the water for such a reasonable price. Imagine my surprise when we found out that a water/electric site for an out of state camper was $45 per night!"
Site topography: Level sites can be difficult to find at some facilities. A Burlingame visitor noted, "Hundreds of sites, some level some not, some dirt sites, some grassy, some with a ton of shade, some out in the open."
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Burlingame, a camper warned, "Bath houses - are usually pretty filthy, and that's because there are too many people per bath house, and people are gross."
Generator restrictions: Most campgrounds limit generator usage to specific hours. At Charlestown Breachway, "The campground only allows generators to be run from 0800-2000."
Tips for camping with families
Off-peak reservations: Avoiding peak summer weekends improves the experience. A Burlingame visitor advised, "Avoid holiday weekends and the heat of August if you can."
Water activities: Multiple swimming options keep children entertained. At Wawaloam Campground, "This is kid heaven. Families laughing and enjoying themselves. Besides the pool they have a splash pad, a water slide, mini golf, a nice pond for fishing."
Check site layout: Request specific site maps before booking. One family at Fort Getty noted, "Our site was very sloped and had a huge tree trunk in the middle. We asked to change but they were booked."
Budget extras: Many amenities require additional fees. At Mystic KOA, a visitor observed, "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."
Tips from RVers
Self-contained requirements: Several waterfront campgrounds require fully self-contained RVs. At Fort Getty Campground, "This is RV only campground. No running water. No electricity hookup. No dump station. Only trash and outhouses."
Road noise: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. A Mystic KOA camper mentioned, "The only drawback is the proximity to Interstate 95. You can hear the highway very well at night, particularly in the safari field."
Parking limitations: Vehicle policies vary by campground. At Fort Getty, a visitor complained, "Worst part is you can't bring your car on the site. Do not understand this, especially since it was over 95° and we have dogs that need AC."
Dump station access: Plan for waste disposal needs in advance. At 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."
