Campgrounds near North Smithfield, Rhode Island offer varying experiences from wooded seclusion to open sites with water access. The region experiences seasonal extremes with humid summers reaching the 80s and winter temperatures dropping well below freezing. Most RV parks in the area operate from mid-April through mid-October, though a few facilities remain open year-round.
What to do
Hiking trails with dog access: At Melville Ponds Campground, adjacent county park land provides wooded hiking trails. "There is a large pond and an off-leash dog park which were very appealing because of our dog," notes one visitor. The trails are accessible directly from the campground.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing access within walking distance. "There was a nice pond for swimming, boating, catch and release fishing," a camper commented about their experience at Thousand Trails Sturbridge.
Kayaking routes: Local waterways provide paddling options with varying difficulty levels. "One day we launched our kayaks north of the drawbridge in town at the public launch and paddled down to Mystic Seaport which was fun to see the historic boats from the water," explains a visitor to the region.
What campers like
Large, level sites: Douglas Forest RV Resort provides spacious accommodations. "The RV sites are spacious and easy to navigate, with full hookups and strong Wi-Fi," according to a camper. This feature is particularly important for larger RVs needing room to maneuver.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. "The bathrooms and shower house are located in the middle of the park and were very clean," a visitor wrote about Newport RV Park. Regular maintenance creates a better experience for all campers.
Camp store conveniences: On-site supplies eliminate trips to distant stores. "The main office is like a fancy clubhouse and check-in was super smooth and quick. The office has a billiards table, theater chairs with a large screen tv, a small book exchange, racks with information about the area, and a camp store," one camper noted about Sun Outdoors Mystic.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many campgrounds have challenging internal roads. "Even the 'main' roads required my wife to watch as I cleared tree trunks; it was difficult to snake our little trailer around the bends," explains a reviewer. Narrow roads with tight turns may require spotters for larger rigs.
Reservation requirements: Availability becomes extremely limited during peak seasons. "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," shares a camper about an unpleasant experience at Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts.
Site variations within same park: Quality can differ drastically between areas of the same facility. "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," notes one camper, contrasting with others who experienced less desirable locations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many campgrounds provide play equipment for children. "The playground was a hit for our kids!" reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Sturbridge. Always check the condition of equipment before allowing use.
Swimming options: Pools provide supervised water activities. "My kids enjoyed playing tennis & swimming in the pool at the campground - there is also mini-golf, but we didn't get the chance to play," explains a reviewer at Ashaway RV Resort. Most campground pools operate seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Activity scheduling: Many parks offer structured programs. "Had good kids crafts," notes a camper about Thousand Trails Gateway to Cape Cod. Morning activities typically allow afternoon exploration of nearby attractions.
Tips from RVers
Electrical protection: Power fluctuations occur at several campgrounds. "The electrical system has claimed countless rv components and 2 total losses. Instead of fixing it, they simply run generators for years," warns a camper. Always use surge protectors when connecting to campground power.
Site grading concerns: Many sites require significant leveling. "Our site had a slight downhill slope so it required some extra blocks to level out," explains a camper about their premium site. Bring additional leveling blocks for uneven terrain.
Cell reception limitations: Connectivity varies greatly by location. "Cell reception was not good, neither with AT&T nor Verizon. They have Wifi at the park which I haven't tried," reports a visitor about one campground. Download offline maps before arrival.
