Best Campgrounds near Portsmouth, RI

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.

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

    51 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."

    "Site wise no one was around us so it was extra quiet and the park rangers are always around so always help if you need it. Walmart is less than ten minutes away too if you’re needing anything."

    7. Meadowlark Campground

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

    8. Massasoit State Park Campground

    18 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."

    9. Meadowlark RV Park

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

    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 Reviews near Portsmouth, RI

703 Reviews of 114 Portsmouth Campgrounds


  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Green Falls Campground

    Inexpensive and primitive

    We like Green Falls. Again, it is inexpensive and kinda primitive, but it sure also quiet and a real woods camping environment. Take a hike around the pond, fish and swim in season, and enjoy a laid back approach to your time here.

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Mount Misery Campground

    Great spot for no frills camping

    We loved Mt. Misery. We spent $17/night, and we know what to expect at that price point. We stayed during fall foliage season and even though CT has had a drought this year, there were still pretty colors to see. We hiked to the overlook of Mt. Misery and had a great time geocaching and enjoying the trails. We found the campsites to be decent, and a number of them did afford privacy and space, we had 4 people and 3 dogs on our site, and had plenty of room for our travel trailer and 2 tents. We will be back here for sure.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great spot and good communication

    Was in town for the Elvis show. This was minutes from downtown definitely walkable. Will be back again!

  • Phillip H.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Mystic KOA

    KOA Mystic

    From the first interaction you see this KOA is customer focused. The staff is friendly, professional and helpful. The grounds are well maintained as are the facilities.

  • Phillip H.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Boston/Cape Cod KOA

    Koa Cape Cod

    Stayed in several KOAs over last few weeks. I would say needs attention. Appearance is not up to standard. Restrooms and grounds are not as clean by comparison.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    Giant area to pick a spot!

    So half the camp ground is closed for bathroom renovations but that still left the whole other half open and the whole campground by the water! The showers aren’t good, but that always comes with coin showers and not being able to choose the temperature. Site wise no one was around us so it was extra quiet and the park rangers are always around so always help if you need it. Walmart is less than ten minutes away too if you’re needing anything. Great location and best park in Rhode Island. Can’t wait to go back and have the bathroom renovations done!

  • Kathleen S.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Normandy Farms Campground

    Loud and crowded!

    Know what you are getting... This is a family resort that charges$20/per night, per person, OVER the two people rate. It is loud, crowded, with golf carts and kids running around. It is a resort campground with pools, frisbee court and etc... This is not a quiet, restful place to stay to visit Boston and the surrounding area or to visit family in town. Entry is gated and controlled. Want to bring your college daughter back after dinner- forget it,$20 for her and$20 her friend, for 1-2 hour visit after 7:00 PM at night! When we return, we will stay at Spacious Skies CG or the state park. The cost and inconvenience is not worth it!

  • S
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground

    Close to a beach, serenity hiding in city life

    Some areas to hike on a small scale. Nice view of the water. No ocean views. Many unlevel sites. Fairly close together.

  • Ryan G.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Mount Misery Campground

    Lived up to its name

    Sites/facilities were as expected and I could have been very satisfied with our 1 night stay.  There are a lot of rules for camping here, which is confusing because there does not appear to be anyone to enforce them.  Late arrivals? Noise? I suspect that the couple who pulled into the site next to ours after 10PM with two cars and an infant are homeless and poached the site.  They were not there for the hiking or the camping experience and their infant child screamed or babbled through most of the night.  That plus the adults talking, car doors opening and closing, engine running, baby einstein videos playing...  In the morning they packed up and left.  I'm not an advocate of criminalizing homelessness, but if you are looking for a night in the woods listening to crickets and owls, this is not the place.


Guide to Portsmouth

Camping areas near Portsmouth, Rhode Island offer diverse outdoor experiences within a 45-minute drive radius. Unlike many New England destinations, this coastal region has significant site variations in terrain and privacy levels. Water access is common but differs in quality, with some campgrounds providing pond fishing while others offer quick routes to ocean beaches.

What to do

Hiking trails and dog parks: Newport RV Park provides trail access directly from the campgrounds. "There are also a bunch of beautiful trails right from the park," notes Ilana F., who appreciated the convenient dog park access for pet owners camping with their furry companions.

Fishing opportunities: Several camping sites near Portsmouth feature ponds for recreational fishing. At Wawaloam Campground, campers can enjoy a well-stocked fishing pond alongside other recreational facilities. "Playground, fishing and water slides invite families," explains Kathy L. about the diverse activity options.

Historic site exploration: The area contains multiple military fortifications worth exploring. At Fort Getty Campground, campers can explore former military structures while enjoying waterfront camping. The park offers "a beautiful destination for tourists, travelers, & beach goers" with "such a lovely vantage point with your tent location from the top of FORT GETTY," according to Leah R.

Water activities: Camping locations provide various water recreation options beyond swimming. Massasoit State Park Campground accommodates multiple water sports, with one reviewer noting "The boys had a blast swimming and kayaking at the pond" at their recently renovated facilities.

What campers like

Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the region provide more generous spacing than might be expected. At Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground, Rebecca D. appreciated that despite the open field design, there were "Lots of healthy grass at the sites" with "flat spot for our drop camper."

Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness varies between campgrounds but several maintain high standards. A visitor to Fishermens Memorial noted "bathrooms were super clean" and another mentioned "facilities were spotless" during their October visit, suggesting consistent maintenance even in shoulder season.

Water views: Multiple camping sites near Portsmouth provide water visibility or direct access. At Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Geoff R. found "Sites along the beach are spectacular" while "inland sites are very nice and have water/electric."

Seasonal pricing advantages: The region offers significant cost savings during off-peak periods. Campers at state parks frequently mention the affordability, with one noting Horseneck Beach's "Price of $20 for instate can't be beat" for waterfront accommodations.

What you should know

Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds require equipment for proper setup. At Newport RV Park, Brad B. warns about elevation challenges, noting "The main campground is on a slope, so be prepared for some leveling requirements, especially sites #216 and #217 (front to back)."

Seasonal crowds: Summer months bring substantial increases in campground population. Burlingame State Park Campground's size affects the experience, with Jessica A. advising to "Avoid holiday weekends and the heat of August if you can" due to crowds and party noise.

Shower facilities: Bathroom quality and shower access varies widely between campgrounds. Some offer free shower facilities while others charge. Michelle C. at Newport RV Park noted "the dryers are terrible. I had to dry my clothes 3 times (that's 3 hours)" - indicating laundry equipment may be unreliable.

Wildlife considerations: Insects can impact camping comfort at certain locations. Campers should prepare for specific seasonal conditions, as Tara A. described at Massasoit: "Leashed pets are welcome and we brought our pup for his first camping experience and he loved it too."

Tips for camping with families

Water recreation options: Burlingame State Park Campground provides multiple swimming locations appropriate for different age groups. Jessica A. describes it as having a "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."

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. Newport RV Park has "a large playground" near the center of the facility, while Wawaloam Campground expands recreation options with "a splash pad, a water slide, mini golf, a nice pond for fishing."

Camp store convenience: On-site provisions eliminate travel for forgotten supplies. Jessica A. highlighted the advantages of Burlingame's "Camp store - well stocked" which proves valuable for families needing last-minute items.

Site privacy considerations: Some campgrounds offer better seclusion for family camping. Jessica D. from Wawaloam Campground found "We had good cover on our site & the area our site was in was super quiet" which improves the family camping experience.

Tips from RVers

Premium site selection: At Meadowlark RV Park, location access trumps amenities for some campers. Paula C. notes it's "Convenient to Cliff Walk, Historic Newport, US Navy Base" despite being "a very crowded mobile home park that has a few motorhome/RV sites."

Hookup availability: Water and electric connections vary across campgrounds. Nick P. at Newport RV Park recommends "the premium pull through sites" which offer the best amenities though "they have no shade and are a little close to the neighbors."

Site leveling challenges: Many camping areas require leveling equipment for RVs. Brad B. warns about Newport RV Park: "take note of grass and course gravel pad material as well" and "be prepared for some leveling requirements."

Off-season advantages: Shoulder season camping provides better availability and quieter experiences. Joseph M. visited Fishermens Memorial during "Rainy nasty October weekend but nonetheless facilities were spotless. Hookups were awesome and easy."

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.