Best Campgrounds near Newport, RI

Several good camping spots surround Newport, Rhode Island for visitors wanting to stay near the coastal town. Memorial State Campground has basic sites with the standard facilities most campers need. If you're willing to drive a bit further, Fishermen's Memorial State Campground sits about 11 miles from Newport and contains 182 sites that come with electric and water hookups. Newport RV Park in Portsmouth is closer at just 7 miles away and has full hookups for those with larger rigs. The local wildlife includes deer and many bird species, so keep food secured at night. Most of these campgrounds have restrooms, showers, and drinking water available. Some sites have good tree cover for shade and privacy, while others are more open. The campsites vary in size, accommodating everything from small tents to big RVs. During summer especially, it's smart to check availability and rules ahead of time since these places can fill up quickly. The Newport area has camping options that work for pretty much any style, from simple tent setups to more comfortable RV stays.

Best Camping Sites Near Newport, Rhode Island (117)

    1. Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Narragansett Pier, RI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 789-8374

    $18 - $28 / night

    "Fisherman’s Memorial State Park is a large 182 site campground in Narragansett, Rhode Island."

    "Lots of nearby beaches and restaurants. Campsites are simple. A patch of grass with a small bush or two, not very much shade, space or privacy."

    2. Newport RV Park

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

    $70 - $140 / night

    "We chose this park due to its location close to downtown Newport (a mere five miles). There is a lot to do in this area and we wanted to spend time sightseeing. "

    "Excellent location for exploring the cites and beaches of Rhode Island!"

    3. Burlingame State Park Campground

    50 Reviews
    Charlestown, RI
    21 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."

    "I had never stayed at a park near this size. Our site we booked was right near the pond, fairly quiet environment. Bathrooms were clean, had pay showers (bring quarters)."

    4. Fort Getty Campground

    7 Reviews
    Jamestown, RI
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 423-7211

    "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."

    "Such a beautiful destination for tourists, travelers, & beach goers....Talk about being right on the water with access to excellent swimming."

    5. Horseneck Beach State Reservation

    13 Reviews
    Westport Point, MA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 636-8817

    $22 - $28 / night

    "Horseneck Beach campground sites aren't particularly large, and are setup more for car camping and RVs than for tenting, but the site has great showers and a modern shower facility, and being able to walk"

    "But aside from that, you are anywhere from 5 seconds to a 1 minute walk away from the beach. The smell of salty ocean air, and the sounds of the waves are a great way to relax."

    6. Wawaloam Campground

    11 Reviews
    Richmond, RI
    16 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. 

       "

    "We used this as our home base to visit Newport, which is about 35 min from the campground."

    7. Meadowlark Campground

    2 Reviews
    Newport, RI
    3 miles
    +1 (401) 846-9455

    "Stayed 3 summers at this campground and found it friendly, Convenient and bliss to Newport. Will go back with a new RV."

    8. Meadowlark RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Newport, RI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 846-9455

    9. Carr Point Recreation Facility

    3 Reviews
    Middletown, RI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 841-3283

    "The view is nice and there's a recreation area next to the campground."

    10. Second Beach Family Campground

    2 Reviews
    Newport, RI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 846-6273
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Recent Reviews near Newport, RI

706 Reviews of 117 Newport Campgrounds


  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Fort Getty Campground

    Great Park Just Not for Camping

    Forty Getty Park RV Campground seems like a great location, with a good bit of history and a lot to offer to anyone visiting, which is why I was eager to visit it this past weekend while traveling through the Jamestown area of Rhode Island. I'd still call it a great place to visit, just not the best to attempt to stay at overnight or camp at. That is something else entirely in this case. 

    THE GOOD👍 Again, an absolutely gorgeous location on the shores of Jamestown😍 that being the park, NOT the campgrounds. The campground itself🏕 and particularly the⛺️ tenting section are pretty far removed from any of that and the water itself in reality. 

    THE Bad. In actuality, the campground looks to be a complete afterthought. More like, What should we do with this little grassy area next to the RV park?... oh maybe that can be for tents! Or,. Where the hell are we going to fit some tents⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️around here? Oh, I know, how about over on the hill by the bathrooms?🚻 next to the RV park fencing? Oh yeah, that sounds Perfect👍 

    The Ugly There's no Ugly. The people seem nice, the park is great,t and everyone working there was polite and courteous. It's just a shame they haven't given any real consideration to the camping section or provided a real space for campers to come enough the area. What you're left with is a grassy knoll with a bunch of tent sites tightly clustered together and right next to or on top of the RV park in a way that didn't seem necessary.

  • j
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great!

    Great spot with view of harbor, a pool, bathroom and power if needed. Easy to book, good location- near many places of interest.

  • Snooz H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Niantic KOA

    I mean wow!!

    So much going on! They will give free shuttle rides to 3 beaches & downtown Niantic, CT.

    We had tried to get a deluxe location and not completely booked. This is the weekend before Labor Day and they were vanishing point the owner / shuttle driver, John, asked us if we would want to move on Sunday after a bunch of people moved out. And we said absolutely because we're going to be here for 3 more nights.

    And it is huge and amazing! If you want to pay a little extra for the deluxe request slot 92!

  • Jim R.
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Indian Ranch Campground

    Live Music, Lake Views, and Laid-Back Vibes—One of Our Favorite Campgrounds

    We ended up at Indian Ranch Campground after leaving another local campground under less-than-ideal circumstances… and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best accidental discoveries we’ve ever made.

    From the moment we arrived, the energy here was completely different—welcoming, relaxed, and full of life. The campground is beautifully laid out with well-kept sites, plenty of trees, and easy access to Webster Lake(aka Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg—yes, really).

    🎶 The concerts? Incredible. Being able to walk from our campsite to watch national music acts perform live at the Indian Ranch Amphitheater is a game-changer. It’s like a music festival that doesn’t require you to sleep in a muddy field. Huge bonus for music lovers!

    🛺 Golf cart rentals make exploring the campground easy and fun, especially if you're hauling chairs, coolers, or just want to cruise around and enjoy the views.

    🏊‍♂️ The pool is clean and inviting—perfect for relaxing after a show or just enjoying a sunny afternoon.

    🌅 The lake itself is stunning, with spots to sit and watch the boats, fish, or just take in the view. The vibe is very“lake life meets concert culture,” and it works perfectly.

    🍔 There’s also an on-site restaurant inside the gates with great food, cold drinks, and a laid-back patio atmosphere that completes the experience.

    🤝 The people here? Fantastic. Campers were friendly, staff was helpful, and there was an overall sense of community that you just don’t get at every park. In Summary: Awesome mix of camping+ concerts Clean facilities, full hookups, and spacious sites Golf cart rentals= a must! Pool, lake, and great food on-site Walkable access to live shows= chef’s kiss🎶 We stumbled in… and didn’t want to leave If you're looking for more than just a campsite—if you want an experience—this is it. We'll be back. Probably more than once.

  • Jim R.
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Douglas Forest RV Resort

    Please—Do Your Homework Before You Stay Here

    I wish I wasn’t writing this.

    Truly. But if sharing our experience helps even one person avoid the same mistake, then it’s worth it.

    We booked two full weeks at Douglas Forest RV Resort, drawn in by its wooded setting and supposed family-friendly charm. The photos looked peaceful. The location sounded perfect. But within hours of arrival, we realized we had walked into something completely different.

    Almost immediately, we witnessed aggressive, disturbing behavior—adults yelling and chasing children through the park. At one point, a child was literally being pursued by a vehicle. In a campground. On the roads where people walk, dogs are walked, and kids ride bikes. We were shocked. We kept expecting someone from staff to step in—but no one did. When we brought it up to another guest, they just nodded and said,“Yeah… it’s always like this.” Turns out, management is known to overlook certain behavior from“regulars.”

    As we walked the grounds, we also noticed**several people clearly living out of tents—**not camping, not weekend warriors, but living there long-term. It gave the entire campground an uneasy, off-kilter feel. The line between traveler and transient is not well-maintained here, and it adds to the overall lack of safety and structure.

    We were ready to leave that night, but with tight, poorly lit roads, towing out after dark just wasn’t safe. So we locked up, barely slept, and pulled out at first light. We had paid for 14 nights. We stayed one. And we didn’t ask for a refund—because honestly, we just wanted out.

    And yes, we later discovered that many of the glowing reviews online were written by someone who works at the campground. That’s not just misleading—it’s reckless. Campers rely on those reviews to make informed choices.

    Douglas Forest RV Resort could be something special, but it’s not. Not right now. Not while safety is ignored, accountability is non-existent, and some guests are clearly treated as untouchable. Please, do your homework before booking here.

    We wish we had—just one day earlier.

  • Glenn M.
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Douglas Forest RV Resort

    Reviews seem to be disappearing for this property.

    Mixed Experience- Potential Hindered by Operational Issues

    The new ownership appears committed to improvements, though the focus seems more on revenue generation than guest experience at this time. 

    Infrastructure Concerns: The electrical system needs significant attention. Multiple RVs share single pedestals, and we observed exposed wire connections and pest issues at electrical boxes. Power fluctuations are common during warm weather, causing frequent breaker trips. The road system requires maintenance- while some fresh gravel has been applied, many intersections remain challenging for larger trailers due to poor grading and poorly placed boulders. 

    Accommodations& Atmosphere: This is primarily a seasonal/long-term resident park rather than a traditional camping resort. The site composition includes many permanent residents, which creates more of a residential community feel. For those seeking a transient camping experience, this may not align with expectations.

    Facilities: The pool is well-maintained and enjoyable. However, other amenities need attention- the playground equipment shows its age, and laundry facilities, while clean, have mechanical reliability issues. Currently, only one restroom facility is fully operational, with others being gradually brought online.

    Accessibility: Most sites feature loose gravel surfaces that may present challenges for guests with mobility equipment. The playground uses mulch surfacing, which may also limit accessibility.

    Management: Communication with management regarding concerns can be challenging, and families should be prepared for a more relaxed supervision environment.

    Bottom Line: While the location has natural beauty and potential, current operational challenges and pricing don't align well with the amenity level provided. Those seeking a quiet, well-maintained camping experience might find better value elsewhere until improvements are completed. Positive reviews seem to be coming from investors of the campground or people with personal interest.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Normandy Farms Campground

    Repeat customer and I sure hope we can again!

    We were here a couple years ago and told everyone we knew about it in the PNW never knowing if our big road trips would have us near Foxboro again. Imagine our surprise and delight when our quest to hit all the MLB parks showed Normandy as proximal to Fenway. Yahoo! Red Sox win and we get to be here again. Kids and adults alike love it. What’s not to love. It’s the kind of place summer camping trip memories are made of. 4 pools, fishing pond, lodge, trivia night, soccer, baseball, softball and frisbee golf and so much more. Full hook ups. Super long sites.


Guide to Newport

Newport, Rhode Island's coastal camping options extend beyond the immediate town boundaries, with sites located throughout Aquidneck Island and neighboring communities within 30-45 minutes by car. The region experiences mild summers with average temperatures around 80°F and cool evenings typically dropping to 65°F. Coastal campgrounds often have consistent breezes that keep bugs at bay but can create challenges for tent campers without proper staking equipment.

What to do

Visit Lighthouse Points: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to historic lighthouses. From Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground, you can easily reach Judith Point lighthouse, as noted by reviewer Lee D.: "Judith Point lighthouse is nearby, it is close to the ferry to Block Island, and there are numerous recreation options available."

Explore Hiking Trails: The Newport area offers wooded trails accessible directly from some campgrounds. At Newport RV Park, campers appreciate the natural surroundings. Ilana F. mentions: "There are also a bunch of beautiful trails right from the park," making it easy to enjoy outdoor exercise without driving.

Beach Hopping: The region features multiple beach options with varied characteristics. Horseneck Beach State Reservation offers direct beach access, though as Jess G. points out: "The beach is a bit rocky but the water is clean and sandy. The sites are spacious, yet if you pick one in the middle of the grounds you're pretty much out in the open."

Stargazing: Several camping areas offer exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. Kyle C. from Horseneck Beach State Reservation shares: "The area is very dark at night so if you are into stargazing, this is a great place to bring a telescope or a good camera to take some pictures. We woke in the middle of the morning to see the Milky Way in the sky above us quite clearly."

What campers like

Private Beach Access: Fort Getty Campground provides exclusive waterfront areas for pets and people. Steve T. notes: "The private pet friendly beaches were great! Small but perfect to relax. No problems with the pets at all and old but clean bathrooms."

Well-Maintained Facilities: Many campers appreciate the clean facilities at Burlingame State Park Campground. According to Madeline H.: "Camp store literally has anything you would need. Usually pretty busy, you will have neighbors, who can get loud. Make sure you set up your tent in preparedness for rain!"

Short Drives to Attractions: Campers value proximity to regional highlights. At Wawaloam Campground, Jessica D. explains: "We used this as our home base to visit Newport, which is about 35 min from the campground." This location provides a balance between peaceful camping and tourist activities.

Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer generous site dimensions. Regarding Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground, Rebecca D. comments: "We like it here even though it's not our usual kind of campground. It has drivethu sites and full hookups. We usually dry camp. Lots of healthy grass at the sites."

What you should know

Out-of-State Fees: Non-residents face significantly higher camping costs at state parks. Lee D. warns about Fishermens Memorial: "Imagine my surprise when we found out that a water/electric site for an out of state camper was $45 per night! The rates for out of state campers are significantly more than for residents. I'm used to paying $5 or even $10 more for being from out of state but here the fee is double or more."

Noise Concerns: Several campgrounds experience noise issues, particularly on weekends. Jennifer A. notes about Fort Getty Campground: "Both times we've camped here, there have been big party groups who kept us all up talking really really loudly and making noise till past 2 am."

Limited Facilities: Some campgrounds have restricted amenities. At Carr Point Recreation Facility, James and Susan K. point out: "Only 6 sites with Electric and Water. No Dump or Shower/restrooms. 2 clean porta poddies on site. Dump station located at Newport RV Park 5 minutes up the road for $20 charge."

Cash-Only Policies: Some smaller operations have limited payment options. Christy C. mentions about Second Beach Family Campground: "They only accepted cash or check and it was a little pricey for the lack of amenities. They did have a bathroom and laundry building."

Tips for camping with families

Water Features: Multiple campgrounds offer water-based recreation suitable for children. At Wawaloam Campground, Michael P. describes: "Lots of activities for the kids. Large water park on the grounds with two swimming pools, a slash pad and large water slide."

Playground Access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At Fishermens Memorial, Lee D. notes the "numerous recreation options available (playground, tennis courts, volleyball net, and basketball courts)."

Seasonal Activities: Some campgrounds offer unique events during specific periods. Cendy G. mentions that Burlingame State Park Campground has "lots to do with kids including fishing, game room, and hiking. Bathrooms were clean."

Site Selection Strategy: Choose campsites based on your family's specific needs. According to Lee D., at Fishermens Memorial: "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; Area Three is for tents only with no hookups but is close to the bathhouse."

Tips from RVers

Seasonal Site Options: Several campgrounds cater to longer-term RV stays. At Newport RV Park, Nancy W. observed: "The park is a mix of seasonal and transient campers. Site types include full hook-up (max 30 amp), water/electric only, dry camping, and a large tent section."

Leveling Requirements: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. Brad B. warns about Newport RV Park: "The main campground is on a slope, so be prepared for some leveling requirements, especially sites #216 and #217 (front to back)."

Hookup Availability: Check power options when booking. At Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Happy Camper L. shares: "We positioned ourselves close to a water spigot to refill our fresh water, we had a generator that we were able to use between 7am & 10pm and there is a dump on site- so with an external waste holding tank we could manage dumping gray & black tanks."

Pull-Through Availability: Some parks offer easier access sites for larger rigs. Nick P. notes about Newport RV Park: "We stayed in the premium pull through sites here. The whole campground is gorgeous... The premium sites have no shade and are a little close to the neighbors. However, they have great paver stone patios and fire pits."

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Newport, RI for weekend stays?

For weekend stays near Newport, Newport RV Park is just five miles from downtown, making it ideal for sightseeing in the area. For those willing to drive a bit further, Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground in Narragansett (about 30-40 minutes from Newport) offers 182 sites with more natural surroundings. Both options provide convenient access to Newport's attractions while offering different camping experiences – Newport RV Park for proximity and Fishermens for a more traditional outdoor experience. Weekend availability can be limited during peak season, so advance reservations are recommended.

Are there RV parks with full hookups available in Newport, Rhode Island?

Yes, RV accommodations with hookups are available near Newport. Wawaloam Campground offers RV sites in a rural wooded setting with necessary hookups, though it's more family-oriented with amenities like a pool and splash area. For those willing to drive a bit further, Mystic KOA in North Stonington, Connecticut is about an hour from Newport and provides full-service RV sites. While camping options with full hookups directly in Newport are limited, these nearby alternatives offer good bases for exploring the area. Most RV parks in the region recommend reservations, especially during summer months when availability becomes limited.

Is tent camping allowed at Newport, RI campgrounds?

Tent camping is available near Newport, though options within Newport itself are limited. Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground primarily serves self-contained RVs rather than tents. For dedicated tent camping, Fort Getty Campground offers tent sites with more traditional camping experiences. Most state parks in Rhode Island accommodate tent camping, though amenities vary significantly. When selecting a tent site, consider privacy needs as site spacing differs greatly between campgrounds. Many campgrounds provide basic amenities like restrooms and showers for tent campers, but it's best to verify specific facilities before booking, especially if you're seeking a more primitive camping experience.

What is the typical cost for camping in Newport, Rhode Island?

Camping costs in the Newport area vary based on the type of campground and residency status. At Burlingame State Park Campground, rates are reasonable for Rhode Island residents but higher for out-of-state visitors given the basic amenities (no hookups). At George Washington State Campground, non-residents pay premium rates for most sites. Generally, state park campgrounds in Rhode Island range from $20-45 per night depending on residency status, while private campgrounds and RV parks typically charge $35-75 per night based on amenities and seasonality. Weekend and holiday rates are often higher, and many campgrounds require a two-night minimum stay during peak season.