Camping options near Middletown, Rhode Island range from forested state parks to full-service resorts. Located on Aquidneck Island with an average elevation of 150 feet above sea level, the area experiences moderate coastal climate with summer highs around 80°F and winter lows in the 20s. Most campgrounds in the region maintain seasonal operations from April through October, with highest demand during July and August when advance reservations are essential.
What to do
Beach access: 15-minute drive from most campgrounds to popular beaches. At Burlingame State Park Campground, visitors enjoy "hiking and biking for miles" with "pond swimming" available on-site. According to one camper, "Burlingame is a HUGE state park campground with over 700 sites. The location is fantastic... just minutes to the ocean by car."
Biking: Extensive network of trails accessible from several campgrounds. The Myles Standish State Forest offers "great riding" according to visitors, with "paved and mountain bike trails." One reviewer notes it's an "excellent for bikes, there are in-camp roads, so big you can get lost."
Historical sites: Multiple options within 30 minutes of Middletown. Visitors to Mystic KOA appreciate its location "close to Mystic Seaport and the Aquarium" which are "must-sees." A reviewer mentioned, "We go to Mystic Connecticut every year and always stay in a hotel. From here on out we will do our annual trip with our camper at Mystic KOA!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Varies significantly between campgrounds. At George Washington State Campground, "sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice." One visitor noted, "It's quiet, it's calm and never crowded. There's fishing and hiking right in the park."
Clean facilities: Particularly important for non-RV campers. A camper at Mystic KOA called it the "Cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen at a campground," while another at George Washington mentioned "very clean bathrooms with hot showers (bring quarters, $1.50 for 6mins)."
Swimming options: Available at most area campgrounds. Burlingame offers "lovely location - it's in the middle of the woods, has a pond, has pond swimming," while George Washington provides "a beautiful beach area for swimming and paddling" on a "pretty, man-made lake."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Essential during peak season. The Boston/Cape Cod KOA is typically "busy between Memorial Day and Labor Day" with reviewers recommending having "reservations if you want to stay at this campground" during this period.
Noise levels: Vary widely between campgrounds. A Burlingame visitor warned, "On the weekends people can get out of hand with the partying and it's not uncommon to have to listen to noise late into the night. Do not come on a holiday weekend, it's packed."
Pricing differences: Non-resident fees often higher. At George Washington State Campground, one camper noted it "cost $36 for out of state residents plus the fees which put it up to $44," adding it was "pricey for anyone but RI residents."
Bath facilities: Quality varies considerably. At Burlingame, "bathhouses are usually pretty filthy, and that's because there are too many people per bathhouse, and people are gross." Meanwhile, Boston/Cape Cod KOA has "long lines for showers every night and the showers were very outdated."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Choose campgrounds with dedicated programs. The Cape Cod Campresort offers "plenty of activities for kids and families." A visitor noted, "The activities for kids is the draw for this campground for sure. My kids loved the train rides, movie night, flash light candy hunt, and arts and crafts."
Consider off-peak visits: For less crowded experiences. At Boston/Cape Cod KOA, a camper observed that "quiet hours were not enforced and people with very loud music were walking up and down the road past sites well past quiet hours" during holiday weekends.
Playground access: Important amenity for families. Shawme Crowell State Forest has "a great playground" according to visitors, with one noting "kids will love the new playground area" which was described as "awesome."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request level sites when available. At Normandy Farms Campground, "our site was easy to navigate in and out of and was definitely big rig-friendly with ample space for our motorhome and tow car. All utilities were well-placed and functioned properly. The site was level."
Hookup quality: Check availability before booking. Burlingame State Park "is NOT an RV resort. No hook-ups," which can be "a con in the heat of the summer if you want/need AC."
Dump station access: Limited at some campgrounds. At Myles Standish, "there is a dump station" but no hookups at most sites, while Boston/Cape Cod KOA has "two dumping spots each with two dumps."
