RV parks near Richmond, Rhode Island provide convenient bases for exploring coastal attractions and inland forest areas. The region sees average summer temperatures in the mid-80s with cooling coastal breezes making camping comfortable even during July and August. Cellular coverage drops in western sections, with AT&T service notably weaker than Verizon in rural campgrounds.
What to do
Beach access opportunities: Newport's beaches are within 20-30 minutes of most campgrounds near Richmond. Melville Ponds Campground offers convenient access as "a 10-minute drive away and you are only 35 minutes from Providence. There is definitely lots to do in Newport and Providence. You can tour 70-room mansions, visit the beach, brush up on tennis history at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum."
Local fishing spots: Many campgrounds feature on-site fishing ponds or are located near streams. At Aces High RV Park, campers appreciate the "fishing areas for the kids" and natural setting with "a beautiful pond and natural setting with lots of ducks, geese, chickens, and wild birds."
Dog-friendly hiking trails: Several campgrounds connect to trail networks ideal for pets. Melville Ponds Campground is "adjacent to a county park with wooded hiking trails, a large pond and an off-leash dog park which were very appealing because of our dog" and offers "plenty of hiking within walking distance."
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Unlike some crowded parks, certain campgrounds offer more breathing room. Countryside RV Park features "beautiful, family owned & run, quiet, large sites. Close to I-395" with enforced quiet hours, making it "very quite, rules are in-forced."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. Newport RV Park receives praise for its "clean facilities" with "bathrooms with music piped in." Another reviewer noted the "clean and quiet camping close to downtown" with "gorgeous" grounds.
Off-season values: Shoulder season camping (April-May and September-October) offers lower rates and less crowding. Many parks offer different pricing tiers, with one camper noting that Newport RV Park has "prices vary depending on the season, if you have a weekly/monthly rate, and the type of hook-ups you want. We paid $38/night for water and 30 amp service."
What you should know
Varied dump station policies: Not all parks have on-site dump stations, and fees vary. At Carr Point Recreation Facility, "there's a campground not too far with a dump station for $20" and "no sewer hookups or showers. The closest sewer dump is not far, but they charge you $10."
Site leveling challenges: Many parks in the region have uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. At Newport RV Park, "the main campground is on a slope, so be prepared for some leveling requirements, especially sites #216 and #217 (front to back)" and some sites have significant sloping that reduces "the usable footprint of the area."
Limited shade at some locations: Several parks have minimal tree cover, especially in premium sites. Meadowlark RV Park has sites that are "cramped but close to Newport" with minimal shade, while at Newport RV Park, "premium sites have no shade and are a little close to the neighbors."
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Several parks offer dedicated children's play areas. Sun Outdoors Mystic has "lots of amenities that would occupy kids time" including "a nice mini golf course and not the run-down homemade ones that you usually see at campgrounds. They had an arcade, theater area."
Swimming options: Pools and swimming areas vary widely between parks. Aces High RV Park has a "nice pool & facilities" that families appreciate, while Melville Ponds Campground provides access to natural swimming areas.
Proximity to attractions: Consider drive times to family-friendly destinations. Countryside RV Park offers "easy drive to lake/fishing. Close to museums, shopping" while Sun Outdoors Mystic is "in a great location for exploring Mystic. You are close to downtown, the aquarium, Mystic Seaport and other attractions."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Choose pull-through sites when available for easier access. Aces High RV Park has "many pull-thru sites, maybe 20 back ins on a pond" that accommodate larger vehicles, while Countryside RV Park is noted as "big-rig-friendly" with spacious sites.
Utility placement considerations: Hookup locations vary between parks and can affect parking position. Some sites at Newport RV Park feature "great paver stone patios and fire pits. They also had a slight downhill slope so it required some extra blocks to level out."
Seasonal considerations: Full-hookup availability changes with seasons. Gibson Hill RV Park operates from "mid April to Columbus Day" while Aces High RV Park is "open year round" for those needing winter camping options.