Rhode Island's coastal camping options near North Kingstown provide year-round access to Narragansett Bay and Atlantic Ocean beaches. The region experiences mild summers with average temperatures around 80°F and cool winters rarely dropping below 20°F. Campgrounds in this area typically offer full hookups with 30-50 amp service and are located within 15-40 minutes of Newport's historic attractions.
What to do
Beach activities: Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground in Narragansett puts you within walking distance of coastal activities. "About a little over a mile walk to Narragansett, an adorable beach community with lots of shops and places to eat as well as close to the ferry to Block Island," notes Kristen B. The park offers convenient beach access for fishing, swimming, and picnicking.
Historic exploration: Carr Point Recreation Facility offers military personnel camping with water views and proximity to Newport's naval history. "About 20 minutes to downtown Newport, so this made visiting the town easy. Given that its military only, you cant beat the price," says Laura R. The facility provides water and electric hookups at six spacious waterfront sites.
Water recreation: Campers at Burlingame State Park Campground can enjoy swimming and fishing at the park's pond. "Lovely location - it's in the middle of the woods, has a pond, has pond swimming. It's just minutes to the ocean by car. Hiking and biking for miles," explains Jessica A. The pond offers catch-and-release fishing opportunities throughout the camping season.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Wawaloam Campground in Richmond provides generously sized campsites for both tents and RVs. "Large sites, great stone fire rings, full hookups, huge pool, waterslides, splash pad, playground, great camp store... this place brings a lot to the table for a very fair price of 60 bucks," says Greg S., highlighting the value compared to other area campgrounds.
Clean facilities: Fort Getty Campground offers waterfront camping with basic amenities. "Such a beautiful destination for tourists, travelers, & beach goers....Talk about being right on the water with access to excellent swimming. Such a lovely vantage point with your tent location from the top of FORT GETTY," explains Leah R. The campground features pet-friendly beaches less crowded than public options.
Convenient location: Mystic KOA serves as a strategic base for exploring both Rhode Island and Connecticut attractions. "We packed up the RV, our two dogs and drove to Mystic, CT. It was our first trip to the area. We chose Mystic KOA and stayed in a full hook up-50amp pull through site," shares Kari B. The campground is approximately one hour from Newport and provides easy access to I-95.
What you should know
Seasonal rates: Rhode Island state parks charge significantly higher fees for non-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 for out-of-state campers. Geez– way to make us feel welcome," notes Lee D. about Fishermens Memorial State Park. Expect to pay $35-45 per night as an out-of-state visitor at state parks.
Site variations: Newport RV Park features diverse camping areas with varying levels of privacy. "The park has over 100 sites and spread out over many acres. Roads are gravel and easy enough any size RV to navigate. Some sites are set beneath large trees in an attractive wooded setting while others are in an open grassy area with pads being both gravel and grass," observes Nancy W. Sites near water features tend to be more popular and should be reserved well in advance.
Weather considerations: Coastal Rhode Island experiences frequent fog and occasional strong winds, particularly in spring and fall. "Rainy nasty October weekend but nonetheless facilities were spotless. Hookups were awesome and easy. Layout is amazing, mostly pull through and pet friendly," reports Joseph M. about camping at Fishermens Memorial during inclement weather.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Whispering Pines Campground includes multiple recreation facilities for children of all ages. "The kids got to enjoy a brand new splash pad which was great and a small train ride around the park. Pretty tight turns and big hills for towing your trailer through but it fits," shares Johnny W. The campground also offers bocce, volleyball, and a small arcade.
Budget planning: Consider bringing your own recreational equipment to avoid additional fees at some private campgrounds. "Mini-golf (extra fee) and a mini golf course (extra fee). The bathrooms are very clean as are the pay showers," explains David V. about Wawaloam Campground. Most state parks also require quarters for showers, typically $0.25 per 5 minutes.
Noise levels: Burlingame State Park's size affects the camping experience during peak seasons. "This is a great family campground. Lots to do and it is massive! You can bike for ever and go to the lake! Camp store literally has anything you would need. Usually pretty busy, you will have neighbors, who can get loud," warns Madeline H. For quieter family camping, consider weekday visits or shoulder season trips in May or September.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on your power needs and desired privacy level. "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," advises Lee D. about Fishermens Memorial State Park. Request specific sites when making reservations for pet-friendly camping near North Kingstown.
Hookup availability: Campgrounds offer varying levels of services, especially for water and sewer connections. "There are no hook-ups. This is a con in the heat of the summer if you want/need AC," notes Jessica A. about Burlingame State Park. Carry additional water if staying at primitive sites, as water spigots may be shared among multiple campsites.
Dump station access: Plan for waste management if staying at campgrounds without full hookups. "Upside: There are only 6 spots, so it's guaranteed to be a pretty peaceful, quiet place. Nice water views and close to a walkable beach. Downside: no sewer hookups or showers. The closest sewer dump is not far, but they charge you $10," shares Laura R. about Carr Point Recreation Facility.
