Camping sites near Jamestown, Rhode Island range from waterfront locations to wooded retreats across southern New England. Located on Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay, Jamestown has a moderate maritime climate with summer temperatures typically between 70-80°F and frequent coastal breezes. Area campgrounds generally enforce strict quiet hours starting at 10pm, with many operating seasonally from April through October.
What to Do
Beach activities: 1-2 miles from most campgrounds. Newport RV Park provides access to several nearby beaches, with one camper noting it's "about a 20 min drive to local beaches." Many sites are near Second Beach in Middletown.
Fishing opportunities: Available on-site at select campgrounds. At Wawaloam Campground, visitors can fish in the on-site pond. According to a reviewer, the campground offers "a nice pond to go fishing at as well."
Historic exploration: 5-10 miles from most sites. From Melville Ponds Campground, "Downtown historic Newport is a 10-minute drive away and you are only 35 minutes from Providence. You can tour 70-room mansions, visit the beach, brush up on tennis history at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum."
What Campers Like
Level sites with utilities: Critical for RVs. At Fishermens Memorial State Park, one camper reported, "Nice level site. Big pull through. Fireplace and picnic table are in good shape. Electric and water work."
Clean facilities: Consistently mentioned in reviews. Many visitors appreciate the maintenance standards, with one Fishermens Memorial visitor stating, "Bathrooms were super clean. Friendly park rangers."
Pet-friendly options: Available at most campgrounds. Many sites welcome pets, though requirements vary. At Horseneck Beach State Reservation, one reviewer commented, "We positioned ourselves close to a water spigot to refill our fresh water... The surrounding area is fun to explore."
What You Should Know
Site selection matters: Significant variation within campgrounds. At Fishermens Memorial, "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."
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for waterfront sites. Horseneck Beach recommends, "If you book early enough you can get a site along the beach. Either way you can hear the waves from all of the sites at night."
Military-only options: Limited access but good value. Carr Point Recreation Facility is restricted to military personnel, offering "only 6 spots, so it's guaranteed to be a pretty peaceful, quiet place. Nice water views and close to a walkable beach."
Tips for Camping with Families
Water-based activities: Popular with children. Wawaloam Campground offers extensive water recreation with "a huge pool, waterslides, splash pad, playground, great camp store." A camper mentioned it's "kid heaven. Families laughing & enjoying themselves."
Playground access: Available at select locations. Burlingame State Park offers "a cute little beach, dog friendly. Bring quarters for the showers." The massive park provides "plenty of room between sites and tons of open space for kids to run around, fly a kite, play tag, hide and seek."
Noise considerations: Plan site selection accordingly. Fishermens Memorial has "a nice playground and even a farmers market at the campground." However, some locations experience significant noise: "Road noise continued throughout the night and there is a wind turbine on the property."
Tips from RVers
Dumping stations: Limited availability in the region. At Newport RV Park, "There is a dump station located at the entrance to the park and gray water dump stations are spread among sites without sewer." Carr Point has "no sewer hookups or showers. The closest sewer dump is not far, but they charge you $10."
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven terrain. Many campgrounds require additional equipment: "Most of the sites have more separation than in the other sections. See the photo below to understand the different areas."
Power considerations: Varying amperage across campgrounds. Newport RV Park offers "full hook-up (max 30 amp), water/electric only, dry camping, and a large tent section." At Meadowlark RV Park, "Our site had power and water. There are no showers of toilets. They have a dump station."