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.
