Camping options within 30 miles of West Kingston, Rhode Island range from rustic state parks to full-service resorts. The coastal New England climate creates favorable camping conditions from May through October, with average summer temperatures reaching 80°F during peak season. Sites in this region typically feature deciduous forest cover with relatively flat terrain, making most accessible for standard vehicles.
What to do
Beach access: Burlingame State Park Campground is located minutes from coastal attractions with a pond for swimming and fishing. "We were there the weekend after Labor Day weekend in 2014, and it was pretty quiet. Nice for biking, cute little beach, dog friendly," notes Katelain T.
Hiking trails: George Washington State Campground features well-maintained paths around its pond. "Lovely location - it's in the middle of the woods, has a pond, has pond swimming. It's just minutes to the ocean by car. Hiking and biking for miles," shares Jessica A.
Water recreation: Rocky Neck State Park Campground provides coastal water activities with mixed RV and tent sites. "The campgrounds are named after water fowl: Crane, Egret, Osprey, Heron etc...We stayed in Egret. We camped at site #4 (sunny) then moved to #38 (shady)," reports Nita D., who adds "Anyone with kayaks can't easily get to boat launch. It's 4-5 miles by car at 4 mile river boat launch."
Cycling routes: Burlingame State Park Campground offers extensive biking paths throughout its 700+ site property. "Lots to do with kids including fishing, game room, and hiking. Bathrooms were clean. No electricity at the sites. Will try a cabin next time," states Cendy G.
What campers like
Pond recreation: George Washington State Campground features fishing and swimming in its clean pond. "ThIs is a lovely campground with a beautiful beach, new pay shower and bathrooms. We enjoyed swimming and fishing," writes Thomas M.
Spacious sites: George Washington State Campground provides generous camping areas with natural separation. "Nice campground with big private spots. Nice bathhouse with pay showers. Pretty, man made lake with a beach area for swimming and paddling," describes Michelle H.
Wildlife viewing: Burlingame State Park contains diverse ecosystems supporting multiple owl species. "Real camping atmosphere - fire rings at each site, wooded sites (and open grass sites if you like that better). Wildlife (listening to the several types of owls is a favorite pastime at night)," explains Jessica A.
Clean facilities: Hidden Acres Campground maintains notably clean restrooms and showers. "Hidden Acres is a great family campground. Family-owned and it's got a really friendly group of family and staff. Sites are nice and the restrooms/showers are the cleanest I've seen anywhere," reports Mary S.
What you should know
Site variations: Burlingame State Park features diverse camping environments across its large property. "Hundreds of sites, some level some not, some dirt sites, some grassy, some with a ton of shade, some out in the open, excellent for bikes, there are in-camp roads, so big you can get lost(sorta)," notes Andrew P.
Weekend crowds: Rocky Neck State Park experiences higher occupancy during summer weekends. "Beach can be crowded. But it is worth it. Nice food shack. Great family place," mentions Nichol P.
Seasonal availability: Most luxury glamping options near West Kingston close between November and April. "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. Bathrooms were clean," says Cendy G. about Burlingame's off-season value.
Weather preparation: Mystic KOA requires proper rain setup. "Also, I got stung by a wasp, so watch out for those guys," warns Katelain T. about local insects at Burlingame State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Choose quiet loops: At Burlingame State Park, select sites away from main thoroughfares. "If you want a good visit do not stay down by the lake!!!" advises David M.
Pack insect protection: Mosquitoes can be prevalent at waterfront sites. "You'll enjoy the low tide," notes Todd J. about Rocky Neck State Park's coastal location, where insects can be more active during tide changes.
Budget-friendly option: Sunfox Campground offers numerous child-focused amenities at reasonable rates. "This is a quant campground geared towards families being out together. They have a beautiful pool, playground and a large jumping pillow like a huge trampoline you can't fall off of. There is a beautiful creek that many of the sites border," describes Tara N.
Bring quarters: Showers at George Washington State Park require coins. "Bring quarters for the showers. Westerly is nearby with a 24 hour WalMart in case you forget anything (which we did, being pretty new to camping at the time!)," recommends Katelain T.
Tips from RVers
Utility variations: RV sites at area campgrounds offer different hookup configurations. "There are only a couple of 'primitive' sites here, and I do not recommend those sites because they are very close to the dumpsters," cautions Cynthia K. about Mystic KOA.
Dump station access: Burlingame State Park provides multiple sanitation points. "There are two dumping spots each with two dumps," notes Andrew P.
Site leveling: Many New England campgrounds have uneven terrain. "Site was level," reports Michael C. about Strawberry Park, adding, "Near perfect level. New fence poles show renovations were consistently done. Two easy dump stations with nice clean area."
