Searching for the best camping near Portsmouth, RI? Portsmouth is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Portsmouth, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
Located on Point Judith Pond, Fishermen's Memorial State Park is a haven of water-based activities, including fishing, boating and kayaking. The park is adjacent to one of Rhode Island's most popular beaches, providing campers with a scenic and relaxing place to soak up the sun and enjoy the ocean. The park offers a range of camping options, including tent and RV sites, as well as cabins and cottages. Fishermen's Memorial State Park is located near many of Rhode Island's most popular attractions, including Newport's mansions and historic sites, and the beautiful Block Island. Visitors can also explore the nearby towns of Narragansett and South Kingstown, which offer a range of dining, shopping and entertainment options.
Modern, full hook up RV Sites only 5 minutes from historic Newport, Rhode Island and breathtaking ocean beaches. Founded as Melville Ponds by John O. Thayer, our decades of hosting guests feels like welcoming family back for another experience that will be treasured long after check out.
Located on Aquidneck Island, Newport is a feast for the senses. A veritable banquet of salt air, gilded mansions, and ocean breezes. Newport's food scene is a destination in and of itself. With over one hundred dining establishments, one could spend weeks just sampling the epicurean delights.
Newport RV Park offers all accommodations needed for a short or long term stay. All 100 plus RV sites offer full hookup and your choice of a back in or premium pull thru site for your stay. If you prefer a shaded site or an open air/no overhead obstructions location- we've got a site that will fit your unit comfortably throughout the park. For those who want to experience a classic camping experience, rustic tent sites are available in a separate area of the park.
ON-SITE AMENITIES:
• 5 miles from Historical Newport
• Sandy Point Beach – 5 miles
• Close to shopping, tourist train, fine dining & theaters
• Beautiful RV & tent campsites
• Shaded and level campsites
• Full-hookup campsites
• 30 & 50 AMP on all RV sites
• Picnic tables and fire rings at every campsite
• Clean comfort station
• Complimentary hot showers
• Ice & firewood available on-site
• Stocked camp store
• Complimentary WIFI and digital cable
• Water and Sewer on all RV sites
• Dog Park
• Fishing at Melville Park (RI Fishing License required)
• Access to Hiking & walking trails
• Playground
• Obstruction free campsites - full sun
• Covered pavilion
• Coin op laundry
• Pull thru & back in campsites
$70 - $140 / night
Nestled deep in the woods between Boston & Cape Cod, Normandy Farms Campground is a luxury camping destination that has been a family tradition since 1971 and widely recognized as one of the premier resorts in the world. Relax and enjoy the unique seasons of New England in your RV, tent, or in one of our deluxe cabin or YURT rentals. We also have pop-up trailers and safari tents for those seeking an elevated camping experience.
Normandy Farms Campground Special Amenities include: a bike park, creative arts center, disc golf, a dog park, a fitness center, laundry facilities, playgrounds, a store, volleyball, basketball, soccer, bocce, tennis, 4 swimming pools, spa, wellness center, and more!
$50 - $200 / night
$17 - $54 / night
At Horseneck Beach swim and camp at one of the most popular beaches in Massachusetts. Located at the western end of Buzzard's Bay, the 2-mile long beach is also great for bird watching and camping near Boston. Camping is available from the first week in May until Columbus Day. Camping is $22/night for Massachusetts residents and $35/night for non-residents.
$22 - $35 / night
The countryside setting of the Boston/Cape Cod KOA, 15 miles west of Plymouth, Massachusetts, makes a great base camp as you explore one of the oldest cities in the United States.
Our Boston/Cape Cod area campground boasts wooded campsites and plenty of on-site recreation opportunities; including a Jumping Pillow, theme weekends, and a pocket park filled with all the fun and games to bring your group out to play. Enjoy the picturesque setting in a Camping Cabin or a furnished Deluxe Cabin.
$14 - $35 / night
Wawaloam, named after a Nipmuck Native American Princess, is truly a family affair. In 1969, Jim and Maureen Smith began their dream of running a successful vacation destination for campers visiting the Southern New England area. Nearly fifty years and three generations later, Wawaloam has become a favorite place for campers of all ages.
Families love the fact that Wawaloam includes 3 children in our base rate. Isn’t that what family camping is all about? Wawaloam also welcomes well-behaved pets for a small fee of $5 per night. After all, we’re animal lovers, too! Everyone is encouraged to participate in the various activities Wawaloam has to offer: from crafts to dances, movies to mini golf, Wawaloam has activities for everyone in your family. Wawaloam has become famous for our Friday night dinner and Sunday morning breakfast menus. Our head chef Jim uses local produce and seafood right off the boat in Galilee! Wawaloam has the most spacious sites around and we’re top-rated in the Good Sam Directory and on TripAdvisor. We take pride in our campground and it shows!
$50 - $75 / night
Set amidst century-old maples, quaint stone walls, and reproduction colonial architecture, this family resort provides the best Connecticut camping has to offer. Here the prevailing breeze is fresh, and the westerly views are of rolling wooded hills and magnificent sunsets. With modern facilities, the campground is beautifully situated on a hill among maple and apple trees. Most sites are pull-through, allowing for easy parking with additional areas offering everything from secluded tent sites to a three-acre field for groups. No RV? No problem! With our speciality accommodations, including Camping Cabins and Deluxe Cabins, you may not even feel like you're roughing it at all. Enjoy all the attractions in the greater Mystic Connecticut area, including Rhode Island beaches, Foxwoods Resort Casino and the Mohegan Sun Resort Casino. Mystic KOA is also near to some of Connecticut's finest tourist attractions, including the Mystic Seaport Museum, Dinosaur Place and the Mystic Aquarium.
$17 - $27 / night
Located on Point Judith Pond, Fishermen's Memorial State Park is a haven of water-based activities, including fishing, boating and kayaking. The park is adjacent to one of Rhode Island's most popular beaches, providing campers with a scenic and relaxing place to soak up the sun and enjoy the ocean. The park offers a range of camping options, including tent and RV sites, as well as cabins and cottages. Fishermen's Memorial State Park is located near many of Rhode Island's most popular attractions, including Newport's mansions and historic sites, and the beautiful Block Island. Visitors can also explore the nearby towns of Narragansett and South Kingstown, which offer a range of dining, shopping and entertainment options.
Modern, full hook up RV Sites only 5 minutes from historic Newport, Rhode Island and breathtaking ocean beaches. Founded as Melville Ponds by John O. Thayer, our decades of hosting guests feels like welcoming family back for another experience that will be treasured long after check out.
Located on Aquidneck Island, Newport is a feast for the senses. A veritable banquet of salt air, gilded mansions, and ocean breezes. Newport's food scene is a destination in and of itself. With over one hundred dining establishments, one could spend weeks just sampling the epicurean delights.
Newport RV Park offers all accommodations needed for a short or long term stay. All 100 plus RV sites offer full hookup and your choice of a back in or premium pull thru site for your stay. If you prefer a shaded site or an open air/no overhead obstructions location- we've got a site that will fit your unit comfortably throughout the park. For those who want to experience a classic camping experience, rustic tent sites are available in a separate area of the park.
ON-SITE AMENITIES:
• 5 miles from Historical Newport
• Sandy Point Beach – 5 miles
• Close to shopping, tourist train, fine dining & theaters
• Beautiful RV & tent campsites
• Shaded and level campsites
• Full-hookup campsites
• 30 & 50 AMP on all RV sites
• Picnic tables and fire rings at every campsite
• Clean comfort station
• Complimentary hot showers
• Ice & firewood available on-site
• Stocked camp store
• Complimentary WIFI and digital cable
• Water and Sewer on all RV sites
• Dog Park
• Fishing at Melville Park (RI Fishing License required)
• Access to Hiking & walking trails
• Playground
• Obstruction free campsites - full sun
• Covered pavilion
• Coin op laundry
• Pull thru & back in campsites
$70 - $140 / night
Nestled deep in the woods between Boston & Cape Cod, Normandy Farms Campground is a luxury camping destination that has been a family tradition since 1971 and widely recognized as one of the premier resorts in the world. Relax and enjoy the unique seasons of New England in your RV, tent, or in one of our deluxe cabin or YURT rentals. We also have pop-up trailers and safari tents for those seeking an elevated camping experience.
Normandy Farms Campground Special Amenities include: a bike park, creative arts center, disc golf, a dog park, a fitness center, laundry facilities, playgrounds, a store, volleyball, basketball, soccer, bocce, tennis, 4 swimming pools, spa, wellness center, and more!
$50 - $200 / night
$17 - $54 / night
At Horseneck Beach swim and camp at one of the most popular beaches in Massachusetts. Located at the western end of Buzzard's Bay, the 2-mile long beach is also great for bird watching and camping near Boston. Camping is available from the first week in May until Columbus Day. Camping is $22/night for Massachusetts residents and $35/night for non-residents.
$22 - $35 / night
The countryside setting of the Boston/Cape Cod KOA, 15 miles west of Plymouth, Massachusetts, makes a great base camp as you explore one of the oldest cities in the United States.
Our Boston/Cape Cod area campground boasts wooded campsites and plenty of on-site recreation opportunities; including a Jumping Pillow, theme weekends, and a pocket park filled with all the fun and games to bring your group out to play. Enjoy the picturesque setting in a Camping Cabin or a furnished Deluxe Cabin.
Legend
General: There are three sections to this campground: five canoe sites; 16 sites including one cabin behind the ranger station and what I would assume is the main section with 61 sites. Some sites have water and electric hookups, but the majority of the sites have no utilities. Note: Pets are not allowed at this campground!
Site Quality: We arrived in the rain after the Ranger station had closed and circled the main section several times trying to find the site with the least amount of water. We did not know until the next morning when we went to pay that we ended up in an ADA-accessible site. It was not marked in any way and I’m guessing that the only reason it was designated as such was its proximity to the restrooms. All sites appeared level and even though they were supposed to have gravel pads, they were mostly a mix of dirt (or mud) and grass with a little gravel.
Bath/Shower House: In the main section, there is a very large and clean indoor bathhouse with free showers. Did not use the shower so cannot comment. Appreciated that there was immediate hot water at the sinks. The other two sections have vault toilets.
Activities/Amenities: In season there is swimming, but the beach is very small. Fishing, canoeing, and kayaking are also popular. There are also some trails for walking/hiking, a basketball hoop, a dump station, and recycling.
This was an overnight stay for us but the rate for out-of-state campers, while higher than for residents, was reasonable at $30. We would return to this campground.
Scout
Good size sites. Trees. Decent WiFi. Clean and quiet. Not much for amenities - no camp store, pool, activities.
Scout
I booked Deluxe Cabin 1 at the Boston KOA based on my past experiences in VA and NC. BOSTON was the WORST KOA I've stayed at. The cabin SMELLED of mildew and cigarettes(pic of ashes in the tub), and there was NO HOT WATER, which is against MA law. It was FILTHY, the pots needed to be replaced, and you have to request blankets. I informed the after hours staff about the water, blankets, and smell. The next morning, I went to the office at 9 am and talked to LORI. She was COMBATIVE and confrontational which is weird because she just started her day. As a person of color, I had to walk away because I was frightened. When I returned, BOB Brammer(He wanted to write his name down, so I got it right(his words)) lacked empathy and had a facial expression of annoyance. He was also CONFRONTATIONAL as I explained there was no hot water and the cabin smelled. I informed the national KOA feedback team(Kaitlyn& Tiana) and they said it's handled internally, whatever that means. If you read the reviews about bad customer service, believe it. You can see CUSTOMER SERVICE IS BADDDD! The KOA will probably respond to this review, but NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. I'll be reaching out to TOBY O'ROURKE and OSCAR TANG so they are aware the BOSTON KOA is tarnishing the KOA brand.
Legend
General: HUGE state park with over 700 sites. It does not fully open for the season until May 1 and when we were there in mid-April, only two sections, Fish Camp and Mills Camp were open. The Ranger station is staffed 24 hours a day, with a ranger on site until 11 pm. You need to show your pass to get inside the gate leading to the campsites. There are no hookups in any site (as far as I could tell). Sites are designated for tents, small trailers, large trailers, and RVs. As with other RI state parks, non-residents pay double the price of residents which kind of ticks me off (I don't mind a nominal upcharge but double is excessive IMO).
Site Quality: The site numbers throughout the park are painted on rocks but the sites themselves are not very clearly defined. There is no designated camping pad. Our site (114) had a water view but was not level. It was large enough for us to park horizontally and make it work for one night. Some sites had excessive roots and also were not level. Some picnic tables have been replaced with new ones, but others badly need it.
Bath/Shower house: The one in Fish Camp was adequate and clean. There is hot water, but you need to run it for a while before you get any. There was no garbage receptacle, and the toilet paper is so thin, that you can see through it. Showers are $.75 to get it started for the first three minutes. After that, the amount per minute increases to $1, $1.25, $1.50, and so forth. Machines take up to 22 quarters. There is a change machine at the Ranger Station. I did not use the shower so I cannot comment on how well they work.
Activities/Amenities: There is a camp store that offers wood, ice, coffee, basic groceries, propane, and canoe rentals. It was open with limited hours during our stay. Fishing, boating, swimming - all in season. Even though the park was only about 10% occupied, there was a strong Ranger presence. He circled our small loop three times just before check-out time and wanted to make sure we were leaving not a minute past the designated time.
This was just an overnight stay for us in a convenient location but there is no way I would stay at the height of the season!
Legend
General: Over 450 sites (tent 20 amp w/e; 30 amp w/e; 30 amp w/e/s; 50 amp w/e/s; 50 amp w/e; 30, 50 or premium seasonal)
Site Quality: Generally good. Sites are gravel. We had originally reserved Site 98 but there was a large rock and tree roots making it challenging to position our van. We were able to move to Site 95 which was much better. Each site has a picnic table and rock firepit. Trees provide some amount of privacy between many sites.
Bath/Shower house: Spotlessly clean. The cleaning schedule indicates it is cleaned three times daily.
Activities/Amenities:
*Some are seasonal and were closed when we were there in October. These include three pools, a food truck, coffee, and ice cream.
* Others include a pristine laundry room (but you have to purchase a laundry card, so one load is a minimum of $10), shuffleboard, playground, tennis/pickleball, volleyball, basketball, horseshoe pit, soccer and baseball fields, firewood and propane fill, free cable and WiFi, dog park. I’ve probably forgotten a few but you get the idea…
We chose this campground because of its proximity to the Woods Hole ferry terminal. It is not our typical preferred campground but for one night in the off-season, it was very pleasant. It is billed as a family-friendly campground, and I imagine it would be very different during high season. We gladly forgo seasonal amenities for a quieter stay. The staff was very present and welcoming. Note that it is located on a busy highway and if you are approaching from the south, the turn into the campground is hair-raising! There is some road noise at some sites but not for most of them.
Legend
Bit expensive
Scout
We love camping at Odetah. Clean facilities. Great staff. New pool and hot tub. Will definitely come back
Traveler
Campground is a bit crowded with sites close together. The facilities were clean but quite old. There are some nice hiking trails along the river.
Scout
In Sept the campground was quiet and sparsely populated. Sites were big and fairly well spaced.
There’s 12 miles of hiking trails to explore. You can hear the highway from many of the sites and trails, but for the most part it’s just part of the background noise with the insects and other nature noises.
The park was easily accessible from the highway and easy to get through with a trailer.
Guide
$18/night if you live here, but $36 if from out of state. Large tent campground with lots of spaces, so everyone is in pretty close together. My main concern is there are showers in the bathrooms you can pay for, but ones outside that are free, but cold water and no curtain, so you literally have no privacy.
Scout
We stayed there waiting to get our trailer repaired. It is dirty & has rubbish all over. No grass, all dirt & rocks. The manager is less than friendly & her husband is worse.
They are trying to get it ready but it will take years because no one works there except them. Quitting time is about 2pm & the beer refrigerator is open for the rest of the day. They will not help you if you need anything. No store. Pool just got finished but is closed.
Scout
Needed a place to stay for 2 nights , My wife and I were going to show at the Garde Theater. Which was walking distance from the boat yard.
Had a bite to eat at the Blue Duck, it was fine. Saw the show and walk back to the boat yard.
The next day we took the ferry to Block Island which was also walking distance from the boat yard. Block Island a must see. Took the 5 pm ferry back.
Had dinner at a Thai restaurant which was 5 minutes walking and it was great.
Sunday we went and visited Fort Trumbull which is also walking distance away. Very nice place to visit and learn.
Also took a tour of the Coast Guard Ship at Fort Trumbull.
Head home around 12 pm stopped a Logee's Greenhouse on the way home.
All and All it was a great get away weekend.
Thank You Crocker Boat Yard!
ScoutSecure and convenient location. Site can be a bit loud but calms down during the evening . Bathrooms were clean and the pool was amazing. Definitely going back!
Traveler
Updates
Note that some of the photos submitted to this site were taken in areas that were NOT IN the Park. Also the Park is NOT under new ownership.
Legend
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.
This is kid heaven. Families laughing & enjoying themselves. Besides the pool they have a splash pad, a water slide, mini golf, a nice pond for fishing. The playground is nice. The grounds are well taken care of. The bathroom& showers were checked often. The showers are now free!
In wooded, rural Rhode Island, but an easy day trip to Newport.
Traveler
Had an amazing stay, cabin was perfect and comfortable. Water was nice and fish were biting. Can’t wait to come back.
GuideThis is an RV camp with mostly regulars and a couple of spots for passersby and short stay.
We were received very friendly by a nice lady who told us everything about the camp and its surroundings.
Our site had power and water. There are no showers of toilets. They have a dump station.
This camp was not our favorite but it was close to Newport and the beach.
Traveler
Very clean campground with a big pool and pond to fish at. There always easy to make accommodations and it’s always a good time with the family there
ScoutEasy access to the boatyard at night; pulled in, picked a spot and all good.
Enjoyed the pool.
Walked to Fort Trumbull.
Recommend Crockers.
Traveler
This spot does have everything you need. It is very remote and a lot of distance between campsites. Lots of trees. The bathroom amenities work but not the cleanest. There isn’t much to the RV sites but an electric plug. Like I said what you need, but not want you might want.
Scout
We were treated very poorly by staff and management. We here humiliated in front of our family members and the public. We were made broken promises and called liars by staff and management and then intimidated to leave the premises. It was a very bad experience that ruined our family vacation.
ScoutPROS
- 45 min from Boston
- You have everything you need there: firewood, bathrooms (with shower, soap and toilet paper), a camp pit...
- You get a map in the entrance - very helpful for hiking.
- You can take a trail from the campsite.
- Good sights while hiking, with good spots to have lunch or pause for water.
CONS
- Only one really: You don't have the feeling of being really in the woods. There is NOT a decent amount of land between each campsite. So if you have neighbors all around, you'll feel like in a village!
ScoutWe were here on an extremely hot and humid couple days. It was great to have electric and water hookups. Also being able to use their pool with our grandchildren was great. They were very accommodating with all our questions and needs. No trees but its a boat yeard. And very interesting to watch the goings on at a boat yard
Legend
We stayed at Mystic KOA in North Stonington, Connecticut, to be tourists in Mystic. Spoiler alert… we had a great stay!
This campground is just 15-minutes from Mystic and about an hour’s drive to Newport, Rhode Island. It’s just a few minutes from I-95 and so close to Mystic Aquarium, downtown Mystic, Mystic Seaport, and all the local spots.
It’s a well-maintained campground with 2 pools(though the larger one was closed for maintenance during our stay), lots of play areas and daily activities for little ones, and a cool“pub truck” for adult drinks. Our site(#408) was about 85’ long with plenty of room for our 45’ motorhome and toad(and then some!). It was level and gravel with a nice fire ring and picnic table. The hookups worked fine with 50-amp electric and decent water pressure. Cable TV had nearly 50-channels, but the wi-fi didn’t quite reach our part of the park.
Due to a family issue, we needed to leave about a day-and-a-half early. We called the office as a courtesy to let them know as we were pulling out and received a partial credit for a night’s stay on our credit card. Didn’t even ask, they just did it. Thanks Mystic KOA!
We’ll definitely be back. This is a great place to stay when visiting the coastal Connecticut/Rhode Island area.
Scoutee
Guide
Pinewood has all of the basics covered. Great place to spend 1-3 nights under the stars. Hot showers were awesome (.25 cents per 3 minutes) and the stone fire pits were a hit. Pond was pretty dirty and you’ll be in close proximity to a shooting range and municipal airport (be wary of noise levels).
ScoutStayed for a week mid-July; during the week had almost an entire loop to ourselves which was wonderful - it felt like having the entire park to ourselves. Things picked up on Friday/Saturday but overall we lucked out with no neighbors who were disrespectful of the quiet hours (10p - 7a). Bathrooms, dumpsters, and portapotties are plentiful, but not always well maintained. Staff are seen frequently throughout the park and are very willing to be helpful when asked - our site had a few Yellowjacket nests and they took care of them for us almost immediately when asked. It’s worth investigating the various sites ahead of time - there are a number of sections much more likely to be busy than others, and lots of low-lying sites that show signs of easily being washed out in anything more than a moderate rain. With multiple great east coast beaches minutes away (as well as conveniences like fuel/stores) we will definitely be back.
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.
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
Which is the most popular campground near Portsmouth, RI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Portsmouth, RI is Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 30 reviews.
What parks are near Portsmouth, RI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Portsmouth, RI that allow camping, notably West Hill Dam and Buffumville Lake.
