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Best Campgrounds near Portsmouth, RI

692 Reviews

Portsmouth, Rhode Island serves as a strategic base for coastal New England camping, with several established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive. Newport RV Park (formerly Melville Ponds Campground) offers 175 sites just minutes from downtown Newport, providing both tent and RV accommodations with varying levels of hookups. The campground operates from April through October and features hiking trails, a dog park, and a pond. Nearby options include Fishermen's Memorial State Park in Narragansett and Horseneck Beach State Reservation across the Massachusetts border, both offering oceanfront camping experiences. Most facilities in the region cater primarily to RV campers, though tent sites are available at most locations.

Camping in this coastal region follows a distinct seasonal pattern, with most facilities operating from April through October. Reservations are essential during summer months when tourism peaks in Newport and surrounding coastal communities. According to camper Amy T., "The campground is close to relatively easy hiking trails and Portsmouth Dog Park. Clean site areas, but many are on a slight slope so leveling blocks are needed." Many campgrounds charge significantly higher rates for out-of-state visitors, with price differentials sometimes doubling the cost. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with most campgrounds reporting 3-4 bars of coverage on major carriers.

Proximity to coastal attractions represents the primary appeal for most campers in the Portsmouth area. Nancy W. notes that Newport RV Park is "located within 1/2 mile of restaurants, gas stations, grocery, shopping, and more. Downtown historic Newport is a 10-minute drive away and you are only 35 minutes from Providence." Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds, with some offering wooded separation while others feature more open layouts. Road noise can be an issue at campgrounds near major thoroughfares, particularly at Fishermen's Memorial State Park. Most facilities provide clean restrooms and showers, though some charge additional fees for hot water. The region's campgrounds generally offer good access to beaches, historic sites, and water activities.

Map showing campgrounds near Portsmouth, Rhode IslandExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Portsmouth, Rhode Island (114)

    1. Newport RV Park

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

    $70 - $140 / night

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

    "The campground is close to relatively easy hiking trails and Portsmouth Dog Park. Clean site areas, but many are on a slight slop so leveling blocks are needed."

    2. Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Narragansett Pier, RI
    20 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."

    3. Horseneck Beach State Reservation

    13 Reviews
    Westport Point, MA
    13 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."

    4. Fort Getty Campground

    7 Reviews
    Jamestown, RI
    11 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. Carr Point Recreation Facility

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

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

    6. Burlingame State Park Campground

    50 Reviews
    Charlestown, RI
    29 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."

    "My parents stayed in a bunkhouse and my husband and I stayed on the adjacent site. Bunkhouse is very basic but clean. Sites are well spaced with lots of types to choose from."

    7. Meadowlark Campground

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

    8. Meadowlark RV Park

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

    9. Massasoit State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Lakeville, MA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (508) 822-7405

    $17 - $27 / night

    "Other than the bees, it was peaceful, and nobody bothered you. i would recommend lots of bee spray and a screen house, but hopefully it was an isolation situation."

    "We were located in the no electric no water area and even though every site was taken, it was surprisingly more private than you'd expect."

    10. Wawaloam Campground

    11 Reviews
    Richmond, RI
    20 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. 

       "

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Recent Camping Photos near Portsmouth, RI

273 Photos of 114 Portsmouth Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Portsmouth, RI

692 Reviews of 114 Portsmouth Campgrounds

  • SkipperAllen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Wompatuck State Park Campground

    Very nice stopover

    Good place to spend the night.It was quiet comfortable and plenty of room between campsites

  • 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.

  • Eric LeBoeuf
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Wompatuck State Park Campground

    Meh its ok

    Bathrooms are out dated showers have tiles falling off very small showers also quiet hrs are enforced on Friday nights only it seems

  • 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.

Guide to Portsmouth

Camping near Portsmouth, Rhode Island, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Visit the Beaches: Enjoy the sun and surf at nearby beaches like Roger Wheeler Beach and Scarborough Beach. One camper mentioned, "Nothing like coming home to Narragansett... Not far from Roger Wheeler Beach & Scarborough Beach."
  • Explore Hiking Trails: Check out the trails at Wompatuck State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "You can take a trail from the campsite... Good sights while hiking."
  • Family Activities: Many campgrounds offer activities for kids. At Normandy Farms Campground, one family said, "Absolutely love this campground. It has so many things for the kids to do."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. A visitor at Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground said, "Bathrooms are very nice."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds provide roomy sites for tents and RVs. A camper at Mystic KOA shared, "Our site was about 85’ long with plenty of room for our 45’ motorhome."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of campground staff. A reviewer at George Washington State Campground said, "Staff was friendly and helpful, with park rangers making regular rounds."

What you should know:

  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds get busy, especially during peak season. A visitor at Boston/Cape Cod KOA advised, "I recommend having reservations if you want to stay at this campground."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have full amenities. A camper at Wompatuck State Park Campground noted, "There isn’t much to the RV sites but an electric plug."
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially on weekends. A camper at Rocky Neck State Park Campground mentioned, "It was a little too wide open for my taste without a clear definition of the sites."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and organized activities. A parent at Normandy Farms Campground said, "The playground was also just up the hill from us and was a HUGE hit with our 3-year-old."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep kids happy during outdoor adventures. A camper at Massasoit State Park Campground suggested, "Bring bug spray and thermacell... it works good."
  • Plan for Downtime: Make sure to schedule some downtime for relaxation. A visitor at Shawme Crowell State Forest enjoyed the "privacy, facilities, and nearby local places to go and explore."

Tips from RVers:

  • Choose the Right Site: Some sites are better suited for larger RVs. A camper at Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground noted, "Our fifth wheel front jacks are on the ground and two of the four wheels are off the ground."
  • Bring Leveling Blocks: Many sites may not be perfectly level. A reviewer at Normandy Farms Campground advised, "Bring plenty of leveling blocks!"
  • Check Water Pressure: Ensure the water pressure is adequate for your needs. A camper at Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground mentioned, "Water pressure was @ 50 psi."

Camping in Portsmouth, RI, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. From family-friendly activities to peaceful retreats, there's something for every camper to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp in Portsmouth, Rhode Island?

Camping costs around Portsmouth vary significantly based on residency status and amenities. At Burlingame State Park Campground, rates are reasonable for Rhode Island residents but substantially higher for out-of-state visitors despite having no hookups. Similarly, Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground charges around $45 per night for water/electric sites for non-residents. Private campgrounds like Whispering Pines and Wawaloam typically range from $40-70 per night depending on hookups and season. Generally, Rhode Island state parks have a significant price differential between resident and non-resident rates, with non-residents often paying $15-20 more per night. Most campgrounds offer both primitive sites and those with water/electric hookups at varying price points.

Where are the best campgrounds in Portsmouth, RI?

While Portsmouth itself has limited camping options, nearby Fort Getty Campground offers waterfront sites with views of Narragansett Bay. For families seeking amenities, Wawaloam Campground provides a rural wooded setting with a swimming pool, splash pad, and numerous recreational activities that make it ideal for families. Within driving distance, George Washington State Campground and Burlingame State Park offer more natural settings. For those willing to venture slightly farther, Fishermens Memorial State Park provides access to Rhode Island's beautiful beaches. The Portsmouth area serves as an excellent base for exploring both Newport's attractions and the natural beauty of Rhode Island's coastline.

What RV parks are available in and around Portsmouth?

Newport RV Park offers an excellent location for exploring Rhode Island's cities and beaches. The park features water and electric hookups, though note that sites are on a slope requiring leveling, and pads are gravel and grass. For those seeking full-service options, Whispering Pines Campground provides amenities including a pool and recreation facilities, though some amenities may be seasonal. For self-contained RVs, Charlestown Breachway State Park offers waterfront parking (no hookups) with beach access. Additional options within driving distance include Mystic KOA in Connecticut (about an hour away) and Meadowlark RV Park near Middletown, which can accommodate big rigs. Most RV parks in the region are seasonal, typically operating from April/May through October.

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