Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Johnston, RI

George Washington State Campground features spacious pet-friendly sites suitable for tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations. Located 28 miles from Johnston, this quiet state park allows dogs throughout the campground with standard leash requirements. Several other pet-welcoming options include Holiday Acres Campground, Newport RV Park, and Dyer Woods Nudist Campground, all within driving distance of Johnston. Campsites at these locations typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water, with many offering both electric and water hookups for RVs. Most campgrounds maintain a clean, family-friendly atmosphere with occasional weekend activities during peak season. The sites at George Washington are particularly spacious with good separation between campers, creating a calm environment perfect for pets who need some space from other animals.

Wooded hiking trails throughout the area provide excellent dog walking opportunities, particularly at George Washington State Campground where fishing and hiking are available right in the park. Most campgrounds enforce standard pet policies requiring leashes, proof of vaccinations, and proper waste disposal. Campers report that George Washington remains uncrowded even during peak times, making it ideal for dogs that need quiet surroundings. Seasonal considerations apply to most campgrounds in the region, with George Washington operating from mid-April through Columbus Day and others like Normandy Farms Campground open April through November. The big open sites at state parks provide ample room for dog play while maintaining distance from neighboring campers. Visitors should note that while pet-friendly, these campgrounds expect owners to maintain control of their animals, especially during quiet hours to prevent noise disturbances.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Johnston, Rhode Island (119)

    1. Normandy Farms Campground

    39 Reviews
    Foxborough, MA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (866) 673-2767

    $50 - $200 / night

    "So you can enjoy the outside without the pesky bites that come with camping!"

    "Great dog park. Sites are large and level and free from low hanging branches. Staff is friendly and accommodating. I highly recommend Normandy Farms Campground. You won’t be disappointed."

    2. George Washington State Campground

    25 Reviews
    Pascoag, RI
    16 miles
    +1 (401) 568-6700

    $18 - $75 / night

    "So if you are confused about things like location, let’s knock that out first:

    This campground is located near 2185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814."

    "The campground was safe, nicely laid out so we could have a series of sites next to one another. Biking was a blast for the kids along with trail hike around pond, beach, and fishing."

    3. Holiday Acres Campground

    6 Reviews
    Chepachet, RI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 934-0780

    $35 - $50 / night

    "The swimming area has a 'icky bottom' (kid term :)) 

    The entrance / office setup is confusing."

    4. Newport RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Portsmouth, RI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 682-2424

    $70 - $140 / night

    "The campground is close to relatively easy hiking trails and Portsmouth Dog Park. Clean site areas, but many are on a slight slop so leveling blocks are needed."

    "We got a great pull through full hookup with a 5 minute walk to a huge dog park. There are also a bunch of beautiful trails right from the park"

    5. Stateline Campresort & Cabins

    9 Reviews
    Ballouville, CT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 774-3016

    $25 - $50 / night

    "The manager came up and they assigned me to a site next to the frog pond, but with our little kids I was t too keen on staying literally on the pond."

    6. Wawaloam Campground

    11 Reviews
    Richmond, RI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 294-3039

    $50 - $75 / night

    " Wawaloam Campground in Rhode Island was our 3rd state & campground on our East Coast trip. Not a lot of choices in Rhode Island, but we liked this camp ground in a rural wooded area. 

       "

    "The charge extra for pets per day. They have a huge clean pool and a water slide park (extra fee) and a mini golf course (extra fee). The bathrooms are very clean as are the pay showers."

    7. Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds

    3 Reviews
    Foster Center, RI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (774) 441-4559

    "Three miles of well kept trails to explore. Friendly community of regulars with potlucks and campfires on the weekends. Being nude in duch a wonderful place is so relaxing and good gor the soul."

    8. Burlingame State Park Campground

    50 Reviews
    Charlestown, RI
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 322-8910

    $18 / night

    "I've never camped in Rhode Island, so I was curious to see what a state park campground had to offer."

    "Good for pets, there are two dumping spots each with two dumps,I would definitely go back."

    9. Circle Campground Farm Campground

    7 Reviews
    Franklin Town, MA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 966-1136

    $45 - $75 / night

    "I did not see a playground and there was not a dedicated dog park if you are wondering. 

    - Site size was adequate."

    "Everything you need 100% Everything clean 100% EASY Access to all attractions 100% We did Boston (caught the train), Salem, mystic seaport, Sturbridge village, plymouth rock, the Mayflower ship, and plymouth"

    10. Massasoit State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Lakeville, MA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 822-7405

    $17 - $27 / night

    "We were located in the no electric no water area and even though every site was taken, it was surprisingly more private than you'd expect."

    "Other than the bees, it was peaceful, and nobody bothered you. i would recommend lots of bee spray and a screen house, but hopefully it was an isolation situation."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Johnston, RI

783 Reviews of 119 Johnston Campgrounds


  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2020

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    Huge campground, not many level sites.

    I've never camped in Rhode Island, so I was curious to see what a state park campground had to offer. Rates are reasonable for state residents, but quite high if you are out-of-state, given the amenities. There are no hookups, but dump stations are available. Bathrooms have flush toilets and coin-operated showers. There's a small beach at the pond, a boat ramp, and proximity to wildlife refuges and the ocean. It's a HUGE campground, with 700 sites and 20 cabins. Canoes are available to rent.

    There's a nice playground, a camp store, and a naturalists cabin. Trails are available for hiking and biking. The beach is sandy and there's a small parking lot there, but I suspect most people walk to it. No alcohol allowed. 

    I didn't see more than a handful of level sites, with varying degrees of slope, but many are quite large. If you have an RV, plan to level; if you have a tent, be sure to bring good mattresses to protect you from the roots and rocks and orient your head to the uphill side. Most of the sites have some degree of visual separation from their neighbors, but there are places where it's hard to tell where one site ends and the next one starts. Site have fire rings and picnic tables, but if you plan to cook over the fire, bring your own grate or plan to use sticks and/or aluminum foil. 

    If you don't have a tent, consider reserving one of their rustic cabins. These offer two sets of bunks (no mattresses) and a small porch with a picnic table and fire ring outside. Some are located along the pond.

    3-4 bar cell phone coverage. No road traffic. East Beach is nearby, but parking fills early.

  • Cynthia K.
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Wawaloam Campground

    Nice!

     Wawaloam Campground in Rhode Island was our 3rd state & campground on our East Coast trip. Not a lot of choices in Rhode Island, but we liked this camp ground in a rural wooded area. 

       This is kid heaven. Families laughing & enjoying themselves. Besides the pool they have a splash pad, a water slide, mini golf, a nice pond for fishing. The playground is nice. The grounds are well taken care of. The bathroom& showers were checked often. The showers are now free!

      In wooded, rural Rhode Island, but an easy day trip to Newport.

  • A
    Oct. 16, 2021

    Newport RV Park

    Clean sites and easy hiking trails

    The campground is close to relatively easy hiking trails and Portsmouth Dog Park. Clean site areas, but many are on a slight slop so leveling blocks are needed. We Took one of the nearby Trails get to the Portsmouth Publick House restaurant, which is dog friendly, for lunch. The waterfall along the blue trail is picture worthy.

  • I
    Oct. 26, 2020

    Newport RV Park

    Best dog park

    We got a great pull through full hookup with a 5 minute walk to a huge dog park. There are also a bunch of beautiful trails right from the park

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2020

    Waters Edge Family Campground

    Incredible campground

    Most amazing weekend with tons of woods (privacy is huge for us). Very friendly guests and staff! Amazing weekend with lots of fun for the kids and even the dogs! We’ve been to campgrounds with playgrounds worse than the waters edge dog park. Every one of us had a great time with the perfect campsite deep in the woods (still able to park my 26’ camper trailer). Swimming pool, great playground, among lots of trails and wooded area surrounding almost every site. Best camping weekends we’ve ever had have been at Waters Edge.

  • Steve T.
    Aug. 3, 2020

    Fort Getty Campground

    Tent campers

    Perfect location for a summer / beach camp. Mostly for RVs but tent site #6 was great. Views of the ocean to wake up too and tucked away from main area.

    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, one if which is 14. We did sneak the car up by asking an RV camper to use his land because they block off the entrance with giant tree trunks.

    More good stuff, the private pet friendly beaches were great! Small but perfect to relax. No problems with the pets at all and old but clean bathrooms.

  • allison W.
    Aug. 4, 2022

    George Washington State Campground

    Updated information! Good site.

    Okay, I will try to update this information on the Dyrt site, but I’ve had mixed success getting that to stick. So if you are confused about things like location, let’s knock that out first:

    This campground is located near 2185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814. It’s by Bowdish Lake, near the Connecticut border. This is a cool area of Rhode Island that I enjoyed getting the chance to explore a little bit. Great Italian restaurant if you don’t feel like cooking (Mr Z’s By The Lake) and some historical sites like a very nice covered bridge to the northwest.

    Full water and electrical hookup and a very unique and fun play area for kids. The lake access is excellent, obviously. Pay showers of varying degrees of cleanliness. Open to tents, but clearly preferred by the RV crowd.

  • Jean R.
    Aug. 30, 2022

    Pinewood Lodge Campground

    Beautiful

    Nice and quiet, here for a 3 night stay. 4 star because there are signs posted No dogs allowed on the road to the beach or other areas in the campground, limits walking. There is a dog park, though.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2020

    Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground

    Parking lot in a fabulous location

    If you have a self-contained RV (no pop-up/canvas; permanent toilets/water tanks), like the beach, fishing, boating, and/or windsurfing, this may just be the park for you. It is nothing more than a parking lot with no hookups and only composting toilets available, but you get access to Block Island Sound and all that it offers. Sites 58-75 are waterfront. For Rhode Island residents, the price can't be beat, and it's fair for out-of-staters, too, because of the location

    No animals permitted. Generators only 8a-8p. Clam shack, marina, deli, and ice cream place nearby, but I doubt you'll want to fight the traffic on a summer day.


Guide to Johnston

Campgrounds near Johnston, Rhode Island offer varied terrain within the state's mix of woodlands and ponds. Most local camping areas sit at low elevations between 200-400 feet above sea level with mild summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F. Seasonal availability typically runs mid-April through October, with cooler spring and fall camping requiring warmer sleeping bags rated for 40°F nights.

What to do

Hiking and trail exploration: Multiple hiking trails available at George Washington State Campground where visitors report "great hiking trails going around some lakes." The wooded paths accommodate various skill levels with minimal elevation changes, making them suitable for casual hikers and families with children.

Fishing opportunities: Ponds and lakes throughout the region provide good fishing spots. "There is a nice beach for children. The water was warm and clean. You can kayak or canoe," notes one visitor about George Washington's water features. Most campgrounds don't rent equipment, so bringing your own fishing gear is necessary.

Swimming in natural settings: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas, though water quality varies by location. Massasoit State Park Campground features "a beach area for swimming and paddling" with a newly renovated swimming zone. Water tends to be warmest in July and August when pond temperatures reach the high 70s.

What campers like

Spacious sites: Newport RV Park receives praise for layout and design. "The distance between sites was far enough that you did not feel cramped or on top of your neighbor," notes one camper. Sites typically range from 35-50 feet in length, accommodating most camping setups comfortably.

Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness stands out in several reviews. At George Washington State Campground, a camper reported "very clean bathrooms with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins)." Most parks maintain regular cleaning schedules, though weekend peak times may affect bathroom conditions.

Wildlife viewing: The wooded settings provide good wildlife watching opportunities. "Beautiful, silent, and shows the power nature has," writes a camper about Massasoit. Common wildlife sightings include deer, wild turkeys, various bird species, and occasionally foxes, especially during early morning and evening hours.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer weekends. Wawaloam Campground operates with a reservation system and offers both seasonal and regular sites. "It was private, a great size & has water/electric," notes a visitor about site spacing.

Seasonal considerations: Operating seasons vary by campground. A camper mentions that Normandy Farms is "approximately 35 miles from Boston... open from April 15th to November 15th." Most other parks follow similar schedules, with reduced services during early spring and late fall.

Bathroom facilities: Quality and availability of bathrooms varies significantly. One camper noted that at Burlingame State Park, "bath houses are usually pretty filthy, and that's because there are too many people per bath house." Come prepared with hand soap and sanitizer as not all parks provide these basics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Johnston, RI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Johnston, RI is Normandy Farms Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 39 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Johnston, RI?

TheDyrt.com has all 119 dog-friendly camping locations near Johnston, RI, with real photos and reviews from campers.