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Best Campgrounds in Rhode Island

191 Reviews

Rhode Island might be the smallest of the 50 states, but that just makes it easier to travel between its extensive number of adventure hotspots and through a whopping 400 miles of sandy coastline. Camping in Rhode Island is more than worth it for the diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities alone. Within the 1,212 square miles they call home, Rhode Islanders can enjoy hiking the green, lake-speckled hillsides of the New England Uplands, explore the dozens of rivers in the north that feed into Narragansett Bay, venture south toward the Seaboard Lowlands to breathe in salty sea air, and head offshore to navigate 38 islands by boat, kayak, and more.

The Ocean State earned its nickname for a reason, and any fan of marine fun will especially love camping in Rhode Island. Make your way to historic Newport for a quintessential New England experience. Also known as the City by the Sea, the nine-village coastal community’s manicured mansions, cobbled streets, and pristine beaches make it the picture of Gilded Age resort life.

Visitors flock to Newport beaches like Easton’s for family picnics, kite flying, and boogie boarding. Head to Gooseberry for a calm and luxurious day of sunbathing. Visit the dog-friendly Fogland to enjoy a day of stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and windsurfing. Don’t forget to stop by Sachuest (also called Second Beach) to find the longest beach in Rhode Island, surfable waves, and a shoreline RV campground with hot showers. Retreat to one of two state parks for quiet camping, or find community at nearby Melville Ponds Campground.

The belle of Newport’s ball sits at the north end of town on Narragansett Bay. Fort Adams State Park not only draws music-festival-lovers for the annual summer Jazz Fest and Folk Festival, but also attracts people year-round for swimming, kayaking, boating, and more.

The Department of Parks & Recreation runs five campgrounds throughout the state that make it easy to find camping in Rhode Island. Pitch your tent at Burlingame State Park, the state’s first official campground, which offers space for 700 rustic campsites and access to freshwater swimming, fishing, canoeing, and hiking trails beneath towering trees—as well as a camp store in case you left anything at home.

No matter how you want to go camping in Rhode Island, The Dyrt can help you find the best place for it.

Map showing campgrounds in Rhode IslandExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites in Rhode Island (35)

    1. Burlingame State Park Campground

    50 Reviews
    Charlestown, RI
    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."

    "My parents stayed in a bunkhouse and my husband and I stayed on the adjacent site. Bunkhouse is very basic but clean. Sites are well spaced with lots of types to choose from."

    2. Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Narragansett Pier, RI
    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. George Washington State Campground

    25 Reviews
    Pascoag, RI
    +1 (401) 568-6700

    $18 - $75 / night

    "So if you are confused about things like location, let’s knock that out first:

    This campground is located near 2185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814."

    "The campground was safe, nicely laid out so we could have a series of sites next to one another. Biking was a blast for the kids along with trail hike around pond, beach, and fishing."

    4. Newport RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Portsmouth, RI
    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. "

    5. Wawaloam Campground

    11 Reviews
    Richmond, RI
    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. 

       "

    6. Whispering Pines Campground

    7 Reviews
    Rockville, RI
    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."

    7. Fort Getty Campground

    7 Reviews
    Jamestown, RI
    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."

    8. Holiday Acres Campground

    6 Reviews
    Chepachet, RI
    Website
    +1 (401) 934-0780

    $35 - $50 / night

    "The swimming area has a 'icky bottom' (kid term :)) 

    The entrance / office setup is confusing."

    9. Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Charlestown, RI
    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."

    10. Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds

    3 Reviews
    Foster Center, RI
    Website
    +1 (774) 441-4559

    "Three miles of well kept trails to explore. Friendly community of regulars with potlucks and campfires on the weekends. Being nude in duch a wonderful place is so relaxing and good gor the soul."

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Recent Camping Photos in Rhode Island

73 Photos of 35 Rhode Island Campgrounds

Recent Reviews in Rhode Island

191 Reviews of 35 Rhode Island Campgrounds

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Fort Getty Campground

    Great Park Just Not for Camping

    Forty Getty Park RV Campground seems like a great location, with a good bit of history and a lot to offer to anyone visiting, which is why I was eager to visit it this past weekend while traveling through the Jamestown area of Rhode Island. I'd still call it a great place to visit, just not the best to attempt to stay at overnight or camp at. That is something else entirely in this case. 

    THE GOOD👍 Again, an absolutely gorgeous location on the shores of Jamestown😍 that being the park, NOT the campgrounds. The campground itself🏕 and particularly the⛺️ tenting section are pretty far removed from any of that and the water itself in reality. 

    THE Bad. In actuality, the campground looks to be a complete afterthought. More like, What should we do with this little grassy area next to the RV park?... oh maybe that can be for tents! Or,. Where the hell are we going to fit some tents⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️around here? Oh, I know, how about over on the hill by the bathrooms?🚻 next to the RV park fencing? Oh yeah, that sounds Perfect👍 

    The Ugly There's no Ugly. The people seem nice, the park is great,t and everyone working there was polite and courteous. It's just a shame they haven't given any real consideration to the camping section or provided a real space for campers to come enough the area. What you're left with is a grassy knoll with a bunch of tent sites tightly clustered together and right next to or on top of the RV park in a way that didn't seem necessary.

  • Rose P.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Ashaway RV Resort

    Rude Staff

    Standard crabgrass parking lot with drunks driving around on golf carts and RV's stacked on top of each other. The woman who runs the office is a very angry person and it made the entire visit unpleasant, which is no surprise as she has been hostile and unwelcoming the several times I've visited. Pool looks nice though I guess, I've never dared to use it for fear of breaking one of the many unwritten and unspoken rules. A great place for people who enjoy eating dinner next to your neighbor's septic pipe. I called to ask if they allowed dogs and was told "NO" just to arrive and be asked to park next to the dog park.

  • B
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Newport RV Park

    Nice and quiet

    Good size sites. Trees. Decent WiFi. Clean and quiet. Not much for amenities - no camp store, pool, activities.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2024

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    HUGE state park

    General: HUGE state park with over 700 sites. It does not fully open for the season until May 1 and when we were there in mid-April, only two sections, Fish Camp and Mills Camp were open. The Ranger station is staffed 24 hours a day, with a ranger on site until 11 pm. You need to show your pass to get inside the gate leading to the campsites. There are no hookups in any site (as far as I could tell). Sites are designated for tents, small trailers, large trailers, and RVs. As with other RI state parks, non-residents pay double the price of residents which kind of ticks me off (I don't mind a nominal upcharge but double is excessive IMO).

    Site Quality: The site numbers throughout the park are painted on rocks but the sites themselves are not very clearly defined. There is no designated camping pad. Our site (114) had a water view but was not level. It was large enough for us to park horizontally and make it work for one night. Some sites had excessive roots and also were not level. Some picnic tables have been replaced with new ones, but others badly need it.

    Bath/Shower house: The one in Fish Camp was adequate and clean. There is hot water, but you need to run it for a while before you get any. There was no garbage receptacle, and the toilet paper is so thin, that you can see through it. Showers are $.75 to get it started for the first three minutes. After that, the amount per minute increases to $1, $1.25, $1.50, and so forth. Machines take up to 22 quarters. There is a change machine at the Ranger Station. I did not use the shower so I cannot comment on how well they work. 

    Activities/Amenities: There is a camp store that offers wood, ice, coffee, basic groceries, propane, and canoe rentals. It was open with limited hours during our stay. Fishing, boating, swimming - all in season. Even though the park was only about 10% occupied, there was a strong Ranger presence. He circled our small loop three times just before check-out time and wanted to make sure we were leaving not a minute past the designated time. 

    This was just an overnight stay for us in a convenient location but there is no way I would stay at the height of the season!

  • Jacob D.
    Sep. 18, 2024

    Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground

    Somewhere to stay, not the best

    $18/night if you live here, but $36 if from out of state. Large tent campground with lots of spaces, so everyone is in pretty close together. My main concern is there are showers in the bathrooms you can pay for, but ones outside that are free, but cold water and no curtain, so you literally have no privacy.

  • Cynthia K.
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Wawaloam Campground

    Nice!

     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. 

       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. The grounds are well taken care of. The bathroom& showers were checked often. The showers are now free!

      In wooded, rural Rhode Island, but an easy day trip to Newport.

  • A
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Meadowlark RV Park

    Cramped but close to Newport

    This is an RV camp with mostly regulars and a couple of spots for passersby and short stay.

    We were received very friendly by a nice lady who told us everything about the camp and its surroundings.

    Our site had power and water. There are no showers of toilets. They have a dump station.

    This camp was not our favorite but it was close to Newport and the beach.

Guide to Rhode Island

Camping in Rhode Island offers a unique blend of natural beauty and family-friendly activities. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, there's something for everyone in this charming state.

What to do

  • Explore Newport: Many campgrounds are just a short drive from Newport, where you can enjoy historic sites and beautiful beaches. One camper mentioned, “We just wish we had known how far out it really was because we really would have loved to spend more time downtown.”
  • Visit local parks: Check out places like Fort Getty Campground for stunning waterfront views and swimming opportunities. A reviewer said, “Such a beautiful destination for tourists, travelers, & beach goers.”
  • Enjoy family activities: Campgrounds like Wawaloam Campground offer mini-golf, splash pads, and playgrounds. One family noted, “This is kid heaven. Families laughing & enjoying themselves.”

What campers like

  • Well-maintained facilities: Campers appreciate clean bathrooms and well-kept grounds. A visitor at Newport RV Park said, “The sites are generous and well-maintained.”
  • Friendly staff: Many reviews highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper shared, “Steve saved us honestly because we had no reservation here. By chance they had a cancellation.”
  • Pet-friendly options: Campgrounds like Wawaloam Campground welcome pets, making it easier for families to bring their furry friends along. A reviewer mentioned, “Dog friendly too! Lots of other campers had their dogs with them.”

What you should know

  • Distance to attractions: Some campgrounds are farther from popular spots than advertised. A camper noted, “They advertise being 5 miles away from historic Newport, and it’s more like 8.”
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have pools or extensive activities. One visitor at Whispering Pines Campground mentioned, “The pool, splash pad, and nearly everything else was non-operational or locked up still.”
  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during busy weekends. A camper at Fort Getty Campground said, “There have been big party groups who kept us all up talking really really loudly.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places like Wawaloam Campground that offer activities for kids. One parent said, “The grounds are well taken care of. The bathroom & showers were checked often.”
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to check what activities are available during your stay. A camper noted, “There seemed to be lots of activities on the weekends & it’s definitely a family friendly/kid friendly spot.”
  • Bring outdoor games: Having games on hand can keep kids entertained. A visitor mentioned, “The kids got to enjoy a brand new splash pad which was great and a small train ride around the park.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site dimensions. A reviewer at Whispering Pines Campground said, “The front camping section is very pleasant and well spaced out.”
  • Be prepared for limited services: Some campgrounds may not have full hookups or amenities. One camper warned, “Be very careful when you hook into their power, make sure you have a surge protector!!!”
  • Book in advance: Popular campgrounds can fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A camper at Newport RV Park said, “So glad we found this place and we've already booked our 2023 stay!”

Camping in Rhode Island can be a fantastic experience with the right planning and expectations. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground in Rhode Island?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground in Rhode Island is Burlingame State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 50 reviews.

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