Best Tent Camping near Narragansett Pier, RI
Tent camping options near Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island include several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Arcadia Backpack Camping Area and Frosty Hollow Camping Area in Exeter offer primitive tent sites in wooded settings. Buck Hill Campground provides a more rural experience with multiple tent sites situated along Wakefield Pond, approximately 40 miles northwest of Narragansett Pier.
Most tent sites in the region feature minimal amenities. Buck Hill Campground offers clustered sites that can accommodate multiple tents, with some areas featuring covered patios with electricity. Restroom facilities vary widely, with Buck Hill providing basic restrooms and portable toilets but no showers. Fire rings are common at established campgrounds, though fire regulations vary seasonally. Water's Edge Campground in Coventry permits fires and offers more amenities including showers, toilets, and trash collection, making it suitable for campers seeking more conveniences while still enjoying tent camping.
The region also features several boat-access tent camping opportunities for more adventurous campers. Selden Neck State Park Campground, though in neighboring Connecticut, provides a unique island camping experience accessible only by kayak or boat. The campground features designated tent sites with fire pits and picnic tables. According to one visitor, "Selden Neck State Park is an island with no roads or development other than four campsites. The sunset view was amazing." Similarly, Washburn Island Campsites at Waquoit Bay Reserve in Massachusetts offers boat-access camping with waterfront views from all ten tent sites. These less accessible tent camping areas provide greater seclusion and a more immersive natural experience than drive-in campgrounds.