RV camping near Rumford, Rhode Island offers access to both urban amenities and coastal landscapes. The area has mild summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F, though humidity can increase in July and August. Most campgrounds in the region sit below 400 feet elevation with a mix of wooded and open sites.
What to do
Hiking trails and dog parks: Melville Ponds Campground in Portsmouth connects directly to wooded hiking trails and a large off-leash dog park. "We got a great pull through full hookup with a 5 minute walk to a huge dog park. There are also a bunch of beautiful trails right from the park," notes one visitor to Newport RV Park.
Beach access: Campsites near Rumford provide convenient beach access. At Ashaway RV Resort, campers appreciate the location: "It is a quick drive to the beach, we loved Westerly & Misquamicut Beaches. Lots to do in the area and stores if needed."
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing access. A camper at Peters Pond RV Resort reported "Great fishing and nice clean sites," while another mentioned they "really enjoyed the beach raft, able to kayak and did some fishing." Many campgrounds with ponds allow catch-and-release fishing without requiring a Rhode Island fishing license.
What campers like
Location convenience: Campers value the strategic location between major attractions. Melville Ponds Campground provides easy access to Newport's historic sites. "The location of this park was great for what we were doing – not too far from Newport but in a nice quiet section of town," according to a guest at Newport RV Park.
Water features: Many campgrounds offer swimming options beyond ocean beaches. At Peters Pond RV Resort, "Pool was good, pond was great. It was not crowded that time of year, so it was very enjoyable. We really enjoyed the beach raft, able to kayak and did some fishing."
Privacy and space: Some campgrounds offer more separated sites. At Countryside RV Park, campers note "Beautiful, family owned & run, quiet, large sites. Close to I-395." This contrasts with other more densely packed options in the area.
What you should know
Military options: Service members can access exclusive camping at Carr Point Recreation Facility. "There are 6 spots with water and electric, there's a campground not too far with a dump station for $20. The view is nice and there's a recreation area next to the campground," shares a visitor to Carr Point Recreation Facility.
Cell service and connectivity: Remote workers should research connectivity before booking. At Gateway to Cape Cod, "Cell reception was not good, neither with AT&T nor Verizon. They have Wifi at the park which I haven't tried."
Reservation timing: For summer stays near Rumford, book well in advance. At popular locations like Seaport RV Resort, availability becomes limited 3-4 months before peak season. Many campgrounds open seasonal reservations in January.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Peters Pond RV Resort offers diverse water recreation options. "Kids loved the little pool slide. Also enjoyed the golf cart rentals," shares one family. The campground maintains a swimming pond with rafts alongside a traditional pool.
Playground amenities: Thousand Trails Sturbridge provides playgrounds that appeal to children. "We had a great time relaxing around the campfire with another family. The playground was a hit for our kids!" reports a camper.
Seasonal programs: Many campgrounds near Rumford offer structured activities during summer months. At Seaport RV Resort, families appreciate the recreational options: "The campground was very clean and well taken care of... the appearance was that it was well cared for and was a very popular attraction for families."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Sites at many campgrounds require significant leveling equipment. At Newport RV Park, a visitor noted their site "had a slight downhill slope so it required some extra blocks to level out." Bring stabilizing blocks and leveling tools.
Big rig accessibility: RV size restrictions vary across the region. At Meadowlark RV Park, "This is an RV camp with mostly regulars and a couple of spots for passersby and short stay." The park accommodates larger rigs but has limited space for maneuvering.
Electrical service: Many older campgrounds have limited electrical capacity that may not support running multiple high-draw appliances. Seaport RV Resort guests note "Our site was a nice long, level pull-thru. Hook-ups were placed in ideal locations for the pad which was gravel."