Westerly, Rhode Island sits at the southwestern corner of the state, bordering Connecticut with an average elevation of just 36 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average around 80°F while winter camping season sees temperatures drop to the 30s. The region contains a mix of shoreline camping near Block Island Sound and inland forested options with seasonal availability typically running April through October.
What to do
Beach access: Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground provides proximity to coastal activities. "It's close to the ferry to Block Island, shops & restaurants," reports Rae H., who appreciates the clean facilities. Located in Narragansett, the park serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby beaches.
Kayaking and paddling: Hopeville Pond State Park offers water recreation opportunities on its small lake. "From here, we paddled south to the end of the pond and up the Pachaug River, eventually reaching the dam at Pachaug Pond. It's an 8 mile paddle with some tricky spots to navigate, but very pretty," notes Cynthia K. The park maintains a boat launch area for easy water access.
Local attractions: Sun Outdoors Mystic puts campers near regional points of interest. "Seaport RV is a great, spacious campground with many amenities and a location close to Mystic. My husband and I were able to ride our bikes into town," writes Laura L. The campground sits approximately 15 minutes from downtown Mystic's shopping and dining options.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: At Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground, campers appreciate direct water access. "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," explains Justin F., highlighting the convenience of waterfront camping.
Clean facilities: Crocker's Boatyard maintains well-kept amenities according to guests. "The pool is very clean as are the bathrooms and showers. We feel very safe & secure staying here," notes Peggy L. The marina-based campground provides RV sites with water views and modern facilities.
Family activities: Wawaloam Campground offers numerous recreational options. "Very nice camp ground. Staff is very friendly and professional. Camp ground is quiet. Lots of activities for the kids. Large water park on the grounds with two swimming pools, a splash pad and large water slide," writes Michael P. The campground maintains additional amenities like mini-golf and fishing areas.
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Campgrounds near Westerly differ significantly in site density. "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. about Whispering Pines Campground, reflecting the range of site layouts available.
Different price structures: Several campgrounds charge differential rates based on residency. "Not the bargain it used to be! Imagine my surprise when we found out that a water/electric site for an out of state camper was $45 per night! The rates for out of state campers are significantly more than for residents," explains Lee D. regarding Fishermens Memorial, highlighting pricing considerations.
Seasonal limitations: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Westerly operate with restricted schedules. "We went here too early in the season to fully enjoy the grounds. The pool, splash pad, and nearly everything else was non operational or locked up still," writes Sean R. about his spring visit to Whispering Pines Campground. Most campgrounds open fully by Memorial Day.
Tips for camping with families
Look for water amenities: Families appreciate campgrounds with built-in entertainment options. "The pool, splash pad, live music and activities for the kids were great!" shares Eddy B. about his Whispering Pines experience. Several campgrounds near Westerly feature swimming facilities with varying open dates.
Consider noise levels: Family-oriented campgrounds may have higher activity levels. "This is a great family campground. Lots to do and it is massive! You can bike for ever and go to the lake!" writes Madeline H. about Burlingame State Park Campground, though she notes it can get "busy" and "loud" during peak periods.
Book weekdays when possible: Pet-friendly campgrounds near Westerly tend to be quieter midweek. "We stayed from a Tuesday to Thursday with our 21ft travel trailer & our dog. We had site 50. It was private, a great size & has water/electric. We had good cover on our site & the area our site was in was super quiet," explains Jessica D. about her Wawaloam experience.
Tips from RVers
Check hookup availability: RV services vary significantly between campgrounds. "We snagged a late reservation over a busy summer weekend so the place was packed. Our site (Q15) was all grass which was fine with us because the grass was nice and thick. There was no defined pad, instead just hookups to back in next to," reports Nancy W. about Mystic KOA.
Generator restrictions: Some campgrounds limit generator usage. "You are allowed one vehicle, in addition to your RV, per site. The campground only allows generators to be run from 0800-2000," explains Justin F. about Charlestown Breachway's operational policies for self-contained units.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dump services. "There are no hookups or even a dump station, but your site may overlook the channel and is only a very short walk away from the beach. Stay as long as you can, then you can dump and refill your water at Burlingame State Park for free with registration and the breachway," advises Laura L. regarding services near Charlestown Breachway.
