The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Portsmouth, RI

700 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

    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. 

       "

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 114 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Portsmouth Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Portsmouth, RI

274 Photos of 114 Portsmouth Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Portsmouth, RI

700 Reviews of 114 Portsmouth Campgrounds

  • 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!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins

    Lovely campground

    Can’t go wrong with this campground. Well maintained, clean, kind staff and close to everything.

  • Eddie A.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Scusset Beach State Reservation

    Great place to Bike and fish and of course enjoy nature

    Beautiful place overall Staff are very kind , professional and helpful

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Massasoit State Park Campground

    Campsite was great, staff was rough

    I loved our campsite. But the staff was pretty rude. I was there for a family reunion. I told the staff my mom and dad would be dropping me off the next day, so they added their name to the site as it is a mile walk in. They didn’t give us another car tag, just said if there names were in the site we were good. Next night, we get dropped off in the rain, with a 50 lb bag of dog food and they wouldn’t let me parents take me to my site. Eventually we convinced them of we left my dad and sister at the front gate with them in the pouring rain, my mom could drive us in. They never even checked our reservation to see if the names were in there. Bring a car if you are camping here in a motorhome

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.

Keep Exploring