Richmond, Rhode Island provides access to several established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, including Wawaloam Campground located directly in Richmond and Whispering Pines Campground in nearby Hope Valley. The camping landscape features a mix of private and state-operated facilities offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Burlingame State Park Campground in Charlestown represents one of the largest camping options in the region with over 700 sites and 20 cabins, while smaller private campgrounds like Wawaloam offer more intimate settings with full amenities including electric hookups, water, and sewer connections.
Seasonal operations affect most campgrounds in the area, with the majority operating from April through October. Burlingame State Park provides flush toilets and coin-operated showers, while facilities at other campgrounds vary significantly. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when occupancy reaches capacity. The terrain at most campgrounds features a mix of wooded and open areas, with varying degrees of site levelness. Cell phone coverage is generally reliable throughout the region. A visitor noted, "Burlingame State Park campground is 3100 acres and many of the 739 reservable campsites are well spaced out and you could obtain great privacy if you know which site to pick."
Campers consistently mention water access as a significant attraction in the region. Burlingame State Park offers a small beach at its pond along with boat rentals, while Charlestown Breachway provides direct access to Block Island Sound for fishing and boating enthusiasts. Several visitors highlighted the family-friendly amenities at Wawaloam Campground, including its pool, splash pad, and water slide. The proximity to coastal attractions represents another advantage, with Newport and Mystic, Connecticut both within reasonable driving distance. According to one camper, "Wawaloam Campground in Rhode Island was our 3rd state and 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." Most campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several offering cabin rentals for those seeking more comfort.
$18 - $50 / 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."
$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."
"This campground is just 15-minutes from Mystic and about an hour’s drive to Newport, Rhode Island."
"The only drawback is the proximity to Interstate 95. You can hear the highway very well at night, particularly in the safari field."
$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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$60 - $80 / night
"The pool, splash pad, and nearly everything else was non operational or locked up still. Bocce ball set was pad locked, no one working the rec hall for horse shoes, shuffle board was in op."
"The kids got to enjoy a brand new splash pad which was great and a small train ride around the park. Pretty tight turns and big hills for towing your trailer through but it fits."
$60 - $120 / night
"It was a bit too cold outside but the pools and hot tubs looked nice. Splash pad was clean and used by kids. Lots of roads to bike on and walk dogs. Live band on Saturday night was nice."
"It is close by to some nice shopping areas as well. Bingo is always a family favorite and they even had that as well!"
$17 - $50 / night
"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."
"It is just off the highway, and most sites don’t use electricity or water."
$17 / night
"Awesome place nice pond walking distance from site great swimming and fishing spacious sites pretty private"
"Great off the beaten path place to camp. Sites are large but close together. Each contain a rock built fire ring. There are toilets but no showers. Good parking for camper but limited for guests."
$17 / night
"Overall nice campground, some sites definitely better than others (avoid site 26 - no shade and right next to the swamp so buggy). There is no check-in booth or staff on site really."
"Very rustic and quiet a lot of hiking trails and a big field to play football baseball if you have the people croquet is fun to play in the field as well there is some streams walking distance fun to check"
$18 / night
"It is nothing more than a parking lot with no hookups and only composting toilets available, but you get access to Block Island Sound and all that it offers. Sites 58-75 are waterfront."
"We were able to secure a spot at Charlestown Breachway in Charlestown, Rhode Island during peak season, July 17-19.. Due to Covid-19, Charlestown was forced to reduce capacity to 50 percent."
RangerWe did a family campout here and had several sites together. We camped in our pop up in the field. We were close to activities and enjoyed an afternoon tubing down the river. The bathrooms weren't the cleanest, but we've seen worse. We enjoyed our time here.
RangerWe stayed at one of the lean-to sites and really enjoyed our time here. We went fishing and explored the area. We hiked to the tri-state marker (CT-MA-RI) on a nearby trail. Plenty to do and see! Bathrooms were cleaner than what we are used to in a state campground.
ScoutCamped early in the season mid week, and it was nice and quiet. The "new" park rangers are take their jobs delightfully serious.
Our site had plenty of sun for solar but in seagull loop there is loads of shade
ScoutCampground was great. Site was in great shape, everything in order. Portapotties were large. The road made the trip horrible for peace and quiet lovers. I knew it was close to the road, but right on top of it AND a heavily traveled route.
ScoutCute Rv park. Very family friendly, the women who at the office are also incredibly nice and helpful! Seems like a lot of people either live full time or come on weekends but we were able to book a spot for a week.
RangerWe love camping here. From the history of the area, to its proximity to the ocean, to the many places to explore, to the nice sites and clean bathrooms! We have been coming here for over a decade and enjoy every trip. We usually grab dinner at George's of Galilee, and have taken the ferry to Block Island as well. There are a bunch of old military defenses from WWII in Narragansett Bay, including one in the campground. We've tent and camper camped, and enjoyed both.
RangerOur first time camping here, we were trying to get a more secluded spot, but the pics on ReserveAmerica were not the greatest gauge of the sites. The sites were OK, some better than others, we didn't have any amenities but there was potable water nearby. There are cabins, which are really just bunkhouses with 2 bunk beds. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. Our loop had porta potties nearby, we only saw one real bathroom with flushing toilets and showers. We did go for a nice hike, the North/South Trail goes through the campground and there are many trails in the area as well. We did a 5+ mile loop and got a good sense of what the trails are like. Found some geocaches and our pups got a good workout.
ScoutWe went last week to visit my brother and sister-in-law in the park was clean. Everybody was friendly. The staff was awesome and they even checked on us while we were there to see if we need anything. The neighbors were wonderful definitely will come back.
ScoutPicked up a one way rental RV on the way to Florida. I arrived early afternoon and was met quickly and shown to my spot and helped with all the hookups and “lay of the land” Very easy and helpful.
Campsites near Richmond, Rhode Island offer diverse accommodations from April through October with seasonal restrictions. The region sits within Rhode Island's South County, characterized by glacial topography with rolling hills, kettle ponds, and mixed deciduous forests. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with moderate humidity and occasional coastal fog, creating comfortable camping conditions throughout most of the season.
Water activities on-site: At Hopeville Pond State Park Campground, campers can enjoy swimming, fishing, and paddling without leaving the grounds. "There's a small boat ramp without trailer parking... Sites in loops A-E tend to back up to one another and are wooded, but not a lot of low brush providing privacy. A few of the E loop sites are right on the water," notes a reviewer.
Mountain biking and hiking: The trails around Mount Misery Campground provide extensive options for outdoor exploration within Pachaug State Forest. One camper mentioned, "Overall really nice access to the trails for Mt biking or hiking. Just nice to know ahead of time that it's a bit rustic." Most trails are moderate difficulty with rocky terrain.
Beach access and fishing: Coastal locations like Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground provide direct ocean access. "Very close to the beach, watch both the sunrise and the sunset at the site. Falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing," writes one visitor. Fishing from the breachway remains popular year-round, especially for striped bass during fall migration.
Affordable pricing: Cost-conscious campers appreciate the value at some state parks in the region. As one Hopeville Pond visitor mentioned, "This was an overnight stay for us but the rate for out-of-state campers, while higher than for residents, was reasonable at $30."
Waterfront camping options: Several campgrounds feature sites directly adjacent to water bodies. At Green Falls Campground, "Awesome place nice pond walking distance from site great swimming and fishing spacious sites pretty private," according to a recent visitor. These waterfront sites often book months in advance.
Clean facilities: Despite rustic settings at many campgrounds, maintenance standards remain high. One camper at Fishermens Memorial State Park noted, "Bathrooms are spotless. Well... Not anymore 😂" while another mentioned, "New facilities, clean and quiet campground." Most state park facilities are cleaned daily during peak season.
Self-contained requirements: Some coastal sites have strict rules about camping equipment. At Charlestown Breachway, "This is RV only campground. No running water. No electricity hookup. No dump station. Only trash and outhouses." Another camper warned, "We were evicted because we have a Nature's Head composting Toilet. They require plumbed in black water."
Site variations within campgrounds: Even within a single campground, site quality can vary significantly. At Wawaloam Campground, "We stayed here from a Tuesday to Thursday with our 21ft travel trailer & our dog. We had site 50. It was private, a great size & has water/electric. We had good cover on our site & the area our site was in was super quiet."
Seasonal amenities: Facilities often change based on season. As one visitor to Whispering Pines noted, "I believe we camped there too early in the season to fully enjoy the grounds. The pool, splash pad, and nearly everything else was non operational or locked up still." Most recreational amenities operate only during summer months.
Water features for kids: Facilities designed specifically for children make certain campgrounds standout for families. At Whispering Pines Campground, "Great privately owned family campground. The pool, splash pad, live music and activities for the kids were great!" The splash pad operates from late June through Labor Day weekend.
Organized activities: Scheduled events keep children entertained throughout their stay. One camper at Wawaloam Campground observed, "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."
Campground size considerations: Larger campgrounds provide more amenities but may feel less intimate. As one visitor to Burlingame State Park noted, "This is a great family campground. Lots to do and it is massive! You can bike for ever and go to the lake! Camp store literally has anything you would need."
Hookup variations: Electric and water connections differ widely between campgrounds. A visitor to Mystic KOA stated, "Easy check in right at front gate, Didn't even have to get out of the truck. Was handed map and daily activity list. Site was wide and allowed me to easily back in. Near perfect level."
Generator restrictions: Noise limitations affect RVers relying on generators. At Charlestown Breachway, "A lot of campers run their generator, so be prepared to hear/smell them. But quiet hours are very respected." Most campgrounds restrict generator use to between 8am and 8pm.
Site leveling challenges: Terrain impacts RV setup at many locations. At Fishermens Memorial State Park, "Area One has the best views and full hookups but there is no bathhouse; Area Two also has full hookups, no view and some of the sites (55-65) are decidedly not level." Bringing leveling blocks is essential for most campgrounds in this region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Richmond, RI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Richmond, RI is Burlingame State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 51 reviews.
What parks are near Richmond, RI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Richmond, RI that allow camping, notably West Hill Dam and Buffumville Lake.
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