Best Campgrounds near South Kingstown, RI

South Kingstown, Rhode Island serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences along the southern New England coast. Wordens Pond Family Campground, located directly in South Kingstown, provides RV-focused accommodations with electric hookups and water access from May through mid-October. Within a 20-minute drive, campers can access Burlingame State Park Campground in Charlestown, one of Rhode Island's largest campgrounds with over 700 sites spread across 3,100 acres of woodland. Fishermens Memorial State Park in nearby Narragansett offers proximity to ocean beaches and coastal attractions. The camping landscape includes a mix of state parks, private campgrounds, and specialized RV parks, with most facilities operating seasonally from April through October.

Rhode Island state parks implement a two-tier pricing system that significantly impacts non-residents. As one camper noted, "Rates are reasonable for state residents, but quite high if you are out-of-state, given the amenities." Many campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly for summer weekends when beach access is most desirable. Site terrain varies considerably, with many campgrounds featuring uneven ground. According to a Burlingame visitor, "I didn't see more than a handful of level sites, with varying degrees of slope, but many are quite large. If you have an RV, plan to level; if you have a tent, bring good mattresses to protect you from roots and rocks." Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with most campgrounds reporting 3-4 bars of coverage.

Waterfront access represents a primary draw for campers in the South Kingstown region. Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground provides direct ocean access but requires self-contained RVs as it functions essentially as "a parking lot with no hookups and only composting toilets available, but you get access to Block Island Sound and all that it offers." Family-oriented amenities are common at private campgrounds like Wawaloam, described by visitors as "kid heaven" with "splash pads, water slides, mini golf, and fishing ponds." Proximity to Newport's attractions influences many camping decisions, with Newport RV Park offering "excellent location for exploring the cities and beaches of Rhode Island" approximately 30 minutes from South Kingstown. Summer humidity and insects, particularly ticks, can be problematic throughout the region's campgrounds.

Best Camping Sites Near South Kingstown, Rhode Island (115)

    1. Burlingame State Park Campground

    51 Reviews
    Charlestown, RI
    11 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."

    2. Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Narragansett Pier, RI
    5 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. Wawaloam Campground

    11 Reviews
    Richmond, RI
    9 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. 

       "

    4. Mystic KOA

    25 Reviews
    North Stonington, CT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 599-5101

    "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."

    5. Newport RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Portsmouth, RI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 682-2424

    $70 - $140 / night

    "Excellent location for exploring the cites and beaches of Rhode Island!"

    "We chose this park due to its location close to downtown Newport (a mere five miles). There is a lot to do in this area and we wanted to spend time sightseeing. "

    6. Fort Getty Campground

    7 Reviews
    Jamestown, RI
    7 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."

    7. Whispering Pines Campground

    7 Reviews
    Rockville, RI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 539-7011

    $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."

    8. Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Charlestown, RI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 322-8910

    $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."

    9. Wordens Pond Family Campground

    1 Review
    South Kingstown, RI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 789-9113

    $60 / night

    10. East Beach State Campground

    3 Reviews
    Charlestown, RI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (401) 322-8910

    $28 / night

    "We stayed here when family in the area got married. just one night but it was beautiful. walk to the beach, bathrooms available, nice fire pit."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 115 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near South Kingstown, RI

645 Reviews of 115 South Kingstown Campgrounds


  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Green Falls Campground

    Inexpensive and primitive

    We like Green Falls. Again, it is inexpensive and kinda primitive, but it sure also quiet and a real woods camping environment. Take a hike around the pond, fish and swim in season, and enjoy a laid back approach to your time here.

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Mount Misery Campground

    Great spot for no frills camping

    We loved Mt. Misery. We spent $17/night, and we know what to expect at that price point. We stayed during fall foliage season and even though CT has had a drought this year, there were still pretty colors to see. We hiked to the overlook of Mt. Misery and had a great time geocaching and enjoying the trails. We found the campsites to be decent, and a number of them did afford privacy and space, we had 4 people and 3 dogs on our site, and had plenty of room for our travel trailer and 2 tents. We will be back here for sure.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great spot and good communication

    Was in town for the Elvis show. This was minutes from downtown definitely walkable. Will be back again!

  • 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!

  • S
    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.


Guide to South Kingstown

Camping spots near South Kingstown, Rhode Island offer a mix of inland forest experiences and coastal settings within a 30-minute radius. Most campsites in this region sit at elevations under 200 feet, making for relatively flat camping terrain with occasional uneven sections. The camping season typically runs from mid-April through mid-October, with mid-July to August experiencing average humidity levels of 75-85%, creating conditions that campers should prepare for with appropriate cooling strategies.

What to do

Fishing at Whispering Pines Campground: Bring fishing gear to enjoy the stocked pond at Whispering Pines Campground in Hope Valley, about 20 minutes from South Kingstown. "Busy campground with a lot of RV sites on top of each other. Campsite was large and set in the back. Hike to the bathroom from tent site," notes Christina M. The pond offers a calm setting for casual fishing, especially for families with children.

Beach access at East Beach: East Beach State Campground sits along a less developed shoreline about 25 minutes from South Kingstown. "Mostly less developed beach area, peaceful shoreline with essential amenities. Camping here REQUIRES a self contained vehicle, please respect the nature of this beach and pack out everything you pack in," advises Lyssa M. The beach provides swimming and shoreline walks with fewer crowds than more popular beaches.

Historic exploration at Fort Getty: Fort Getty Campground in Jamestown preserves military fortifications while offering camping access. "Such a beautiful destination for tourists, travelers, & beach goers....Talk about being right on the water with access to excellent swimming. Such a lovely vantage point with your tent location from the top of FORT GETTY," reports Leah R. The campground permits exploration of historic bunkers and coastal defense structures dating back to the early 1900s.

What campers like

Privacy options at Newport RV Park: Newport RV Park offers sites with varied privacy levels about 25 minutes from South Kingstown. "The park has over 100 sites and spread out over many acres. Roads are gravel and easy enough any size RV to navigate. Some sites are set beneath large trees in an attractive wooded setting while others are in an open grassy area with pads being both gravel and grass," observes Nancy W. The park's adjacent hiking trails provide additional outdoor space.

Ocean proximity at Charlestown Breachway: Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground sits directly on Block Island Sound, offering immediate water access. "We were able to secure a spot at Charlestown Breachway in Charlestown, Rhode Island during peak season, July 17-19. It very close to the beach....steps away. There is a more 'private' sandy area near the water sites where we were able to pull up a chair and sit in the water," shares Justin F. The campground's proximity to water for fishing and swimming ranks as its top feature.

Clean facilities at Mystic KOA: Located 30 minutes from South Kingstown across the Connecticut border, campers appreciate the maintenance standards. "Clean, comfortable campground aimed more towards glamping. Lots of rv sites and very nice cabins. Cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen at a campground," writes Kay B. The campground's bathrooms receive consistent positive mentions from multiple reviewers.

What you should know

Price tiers for non-residents: Most state campgrounds operate with significant price differences for non-Rhode Island residents. "I read the reviews and was excited to be in a state park near the water for such a reasonable price. Imagine my surprise when we found out that a water/electric site for an out of state camper was $45 per night! I'm used to paying $5 or even $10 more for being from out of state but here the fee is double or more," reports Lee D. about Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground.

Site variability at campgrounds: Within single campgrounds, site quality varies considerably. "We chose a site in the open because the winds were projected to be 40-50 mph while we were there and we did not want falling branches on the coach. Our site had 30 amp and water," notes Nancy W. at Newport RV Park. Even when campgrounds appear fully booked, specific site selection matters for experience quality.

Limited tent options: Several campgrounds near South Kingstown restrict tent camping entirely. "This is a well kept RV Park with large sites. The do not allow tents at all so it should be called an RV Park," explains David V. about Wawaloam Campground. Always confirm tent acceptance before booking, especially at RV-focused parks.

Tips for camping with families

Water activities for kids: Wawaloam Campground features multiple water recreation options for children. "Large sites, great stone fire rings, full hookups, huge pool, waterslides, splash pad, playground, great camp store... this place brings a lot to the table for a very fair price of 60 bucks," shares Greg S. The splash pad provides safer water play for younger children compared to beach swimming.

Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain playgrounds to entertain children. "Very affordable (around $14 per night). We stayed near the camp store and playground. Lots to do with kids including fishing, game room, and hiking," notes Cendy G. about Burlingame State Park. Position your campsite near these facilities to minimize walking for bathroom trips with children.

Off-peak timing benefits: School schedules often dictate family camping, but shoulder season offers advantages. "We were there the weekend after Labor Day weekend in 2014, and it was pretty quiet. Nice for biking, cute little beach, dog friendly," shares Katelain T. about Burlingame State Park. September weekends often maintain warm temperatures while offering quieter camping environments.

Tips from RVers

Generator restrictions: Many campgrounds limit generator usage to specific hours. "The campground only allows generators to be run from 0800-2000. Even though it was in the high 80's, we barely ran the generator during the day. There was such a nice breeze," notes Justin F. about Charlestown Breachway. Sites without electrical hookups still maintain noise regulations that require planning battery usage.

Self-contained requirements: Some coastal campgrounds require fully self-contained RVs. "Staff is hostile and rude site is crowded and unattractive it's expensive $40 per night. We were evicted because we have a Nature's Head composting Toilet. They require plumbed in black water," warns Bud W. about Charlestown Breachway. Campgrounds with limited facilities often implement strict waste management requirements.

Site leveling needs: Be prepared for uneven terrain at several campgrounds. "I didn't see more than a handful of level sites, with varying degrees of slope, but many are quite large. If you have an RV, plan to level," notes a visitor to Burlingame. Pack additional leveling blocks, especially for larger RVs at state park campgrounds where site improvements are minimal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping grounds near South Kingstown?

South Kingstown offers several nearby camping options. Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground is a convenient choice with water and electric hookups, though rates are higher for out-of-state visitors at around $45 per night. Another option is Wordens Pond Family Campground, which provides basic amenities including water and toilets. For those willing to drive a bit further, there are numerous campgrounds within a short distance, including Burlingame State Park, Newport RV Park, and Charlestown Breachway State Park. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during peak summer months when Rhode Island's coastal camping is most popular.

What are the best tent camping options in South Kingstown?

Burlingame State Park Campground offers excellent tent camping with 739 reservable sites across 3,100 acres, providing good privacy at many locations. The park has reasonable rates for state residents, though they're higher for out-of-state visitors. The campground features flush toilets and coin-operated showers. Another good option is George Washington State Campground, which tent campers often prefer over other Rhode Island options. Located near Bowdish Lake, it offers a more secluded experience, though non-residents face higher fees for most sites. Both campgrounds require reservations well in advance during peak season, and neither offers hookups, making them ideal for traditional tent camping experiences.

What unique or scenic camping spots can I find in South Kingstown?

For a truly unique coastal camping experience near South Kingstown, Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground offers spectacular oceanfront sites for self-contained RVs. While it's essentially a parking lot with composting toilets and no hookups, the location provides amazing access to Block Island Sound, perfect for fishing, boating, and windsurfing enthusiasts. Another scenic option is East Beach State Campground, which offers a more primitive camping experience along the coastline. For those willing to venture slightly further, Newport's surrounding areas provide camping with easy access to Rhode Island's historic coastal towns and beaches, combining natural beauty with cultural experiences in one of New England's most picturesque regions.