Clayville, Rhode Island camping options extend beyond the immediate area, with several well-established sites within a 30-mile radius. The region experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers reaching 80°F and winters dropping below freezing. Fall camping offers colorful foliage views while spring brings moderate temperatures and occasional rainfall, creating variable camping conditions depending on the time of year.
What to do
Hiking trails near campgrounds: Newport RV Park in Portsmouth connects to multiple hiking trails where campers can enjoy wooded paths. According to one visitor, "We had a great time. Plenty of hiking within walking distance and a short drive to all local attractions."
Beach access from camp: Visitors staying at Melville Ponds Campground appreciate the proximity to coastal areas. One camper noted, "This is the perfect place to stay if your visiting Newport, RI. We had a great time at this small campground, very clean and nice staff. Not many amenities but we where there for the beaches and mansions."
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer on-site fishing. At Aces High RV Park in East Lyme, "fishing areas for the kids" are available according to a reviewer, and the park features "Beautiful pond and natural setting with lots of ducks, geese, chickens, and wild birds."
Kayaking and canoeing: Several area campgrounds provide water access. A review of Sturbridge RV Resort mentions "Cool pond for paddle boats and canoeing! Family friendly."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Countryside RV Park in Griswold receives praise for its layout, with one reviewer describing it as having "beautiful, family owned & run, quiet, large sites. Close to I-395."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. A Melville Ponds Campground visitor highlighted, "Bathrooms with music piped in. Love this place to pieces."
Natural surroundings: Campers appreciate the regional landscape. At Aces High RV Park, a reviewer enjoyed "shade trees on our site (#3)" and mentioned that "many sites had similar trees, but the owner keeps them trimmed to not interfere when parking on your site."
Well-maintained amenities: Campgrounds typically offer consistent upkeep. A recent visitor to Sun Outdoors Mystic noted, "The bathrooms in the campground were newer and immaculate. This 'resort' has lots of amenities that would occupy kids time."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Thousand Trails Sturbridge runs from "April 10 to October 25," while Melville Ponds Campground is open from "April 1 to October 31."
Varied site quality: Sites can differ significantly within the same campground. A camper at Thousand Trails Sturbridge mentioned, "It wasn't too loud here in October. Had site B1, which was water and electric. Close to the pond. Not directly at the pond, though."
Cell reception challenges: Connectivity varies across the region. As one camper at Thousand Trails Sturbridge reported, "Cell reception is not great. Camp link Wifi for a fee is workable unless you need to do zoom calls."
Reservation requirements: Advance planning is essential, especially for waterfront sites. A visitor to Aces High RV Park described paying "$150/night for a 'Premium Waterfront FHU Site' on the lake. A bit pricey, but really nice site including level concrete pad and patio."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many area campgrounds offer play facilities. A reviewer at Melville Ponds Campground mentioned, "It's well shaded, has a nice playground, bathhouse, and a laundry room."
Pet-friendly areas: Several campgrounds accommodate four-legged family members. According to one Aces High RV Park visitor, "There is also a creek area for dog swimming. Our two labs loved it!"
Dog parks on-site: Some campgrounds have designated pet areas. A camper at Melville Ponds Campground noted, "We got a great pull through full hookup with a 5 minute walk to a huge dog park."
Swimming facilities: Most campgrounds offer water recreation. Aces High RV Park features a "clean playground and well maintained pool" according to a recent review.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. A visitor to Melville Ponds Campground advised, "The main campground is on a slope, so be prepared for some leveling requirements, especially sites #216 and #217 (front to back)."
Site surface types: RV sites vary in composition across the region. A reviewer at Melville Ponds Campground described, "Sites and roads are gravel and easy enough any size RV to navigate. Some sites are set beneath large trees in an attractive wooded setting while others are in an open grassy area."
Pull-through availability: Some campgrounds offer easier access sites. A visitor to Aces High RV Park observed, "Many pull-thru sites, maybe 20 back ins on a pond."
Hookup configurations: Utility setups differ between campgrounds. A camper at Countryside RV Park noted, "We had a great time. Water, electric & sewer sites."
