Best Campgrounds near Johnston, RI
The area around Johnston, Rhode Island includes access to various types of camping and campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. George Washington State Campground in Chepachet offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with electric hookups and water access, while Holiday Acres Campground in Glocester provides year-round camping options. Several campgrounds in the region accommodate multiple camping styles, with most offering tent sites alongside RV hookups and cabin rentals. Newport RV Park in Portsmouth and Normandy Farms Campground in Foxborough, Massachusetts represent some of the more developed options with extensive amenities, though they're typically more expensive than state park alternatives.
Camping seasons in Rhode Island generally run from April through October, with most state parks closing after Columbus Day. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends when facilities fill quickly. A visitor commented, "We wanted to visit Newport on our trip and Fisherman's Memorial State Park was the closest affordable park to the island, so we opted to stay there - I lucked into grabbing somebody else's cancellation." Weather conditions remain mild throughout the camping season, though summer humidity can be significant. Cell phone coverage varies by location but is generally reliable near developed campgrounds. Most state park campgrounds charge higher fees for out-of-state visitors, sometimes double the resident rate, which is worth considering when planning a trip.
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront access at several locations, particularly at Burlingame State Park Campground which features a small beach area on the pond. The campground's 700+ sites make it Rhode Island's largest camping destination, though reviews note varying levels of privacy between sites. Several visitors mentioned the proximity to beaches and coastal attractions as key highlights of camping in the region. George Washington State Campground receives positive reviews for its hiking trails and lake views, while Newport-area campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring coastal Rhode Island. Tent campers seeking more privacy should look for designated tent-only areas or sites marked with "T" designations, as these typically offer more seclusion than mixed-use camping areas.
