Camping near Wood River Junction, Rhode Island centers around a mix of state parks and private campgrounds within a 20-mile radius. The region sits at the southwestern corner of Rhode Island where the terrain transitions from coastal plains to more wooded inland areas. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with cooler nights, while spring and fall camping experiences moderate temperatures with occasional rain showers that can create muddy conditions at many sites.
What to do
Swimming access: Easy pond access at Burlingame State Park Campground provides alternatives to ocean beaches. "Swim in the pond. Fish in the pond (catch and release). Bike. Hike. Hammock," notes one camper who appreciates the varied water activities available.
Beach proximity: Short drives to multiple beaches from most campgrounds in the area. At Fishermens Memorial State Park Campground, you're "About a little over a mile walk to Narragansett, an adorable beach community with lots of shops and places to eat as well as close to the ferry to Block Island."
Historical sites: Nearby maritime attractions within 15-20 minutes of most campgrounds. "Mystic Seaport and the Aquarium are must-sees," according to a camper who used the proximity of area campgrounds as a base for exploring regional attractions.
Trails and biking: Extensive wooded routes through state forests and parks. One camper at Hopeville Pond State Park Campground mentioned, "We launched our kayaks from the day use area because the campground boat launch was extremely crowded. 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!"
What campers like
Direct water access: Sites with waterfront views at certain campgrounds. At Charlestown Breachway State Park Campground, "It very close to the beach….steps away. There is a more 'private' sandy area near the water sites (close to sites 70's) where we were able to pull up a chair and sit in the water. Minimal waves and lots of people watching."
Large wooded sites: Space between neighbors at several campgrounds provides a more natural feel. A camper noted about Whispering Pines Campground, "There are pine trees everywhere in the park, so the owners don't cut down a lot of trees which makes it feel like a real campground and not a field of peoples RV's."
Off-peak tranquility: Visiting outside summer weekends results in quieter experiences. At Wawaloam Campground, a visitor mentioned, "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."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms receive consistent positive mentions from campers. Regarding Green Falls Campground, a visitor appreciated the "Awesome place nice pond walking distance from site great swimming and fishing spacious sites pretty private."
What you should know
Price variations for non-residents: Higher fees for out-of-state visitors at Rhode Island state parks. At Wawaloam Campground, visitors find more consistent pricing: "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."
Site selection considerations: Research specific site numbers as quality varies significantly within each campground. A visitor to Mystic KOA shared, "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 so you have lots of flexibility as to how you park."
Seasonal facility limitations: Off-season visits mean fewer amenities available at most campgrounds. One camper at Whispering Pines Campground stated, "I believe we camped there 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."
Noise factors: Road and neighbor noise can impact certain campgrounds and specific sites. A reviewer noted about Hopeville Pond, "Beautiful forest, but campground affords very little privacy between sites. RVs mixed with tents and noisy generators running all day and night."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Multiple swimming options available for children at different price points. A visitor to Strawberry Park shared, "This KOA provides a lot to do for kids and families. The pool is small and usually crowded, but still very well kept. And then there's mini golf, hay rides, and lots of fun planned activities."
Recreation centers: Structured activities at private campgrounds provide rainy day alternatives. "When my family went here it poured! And we were thankful that there were so many things to do, painting ceramics, karaoke, an arcade (at the time it had DDR which was all the rage)," noted a visitor to Strawberry Park.
Playground access: Multiple play areas at several campgrounds keep children entertained. A camper at Wawaloam Campground appreciated that "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."
Store amenities: On-site supplies reduce trips away from campgrounds. "Camp store - well stocked," noted a Burlingame camper, while another mentioned, "Good for pets, there are two dumping spots each with two dumps."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Bring blocks and levelers as many sites throughout the region have uneven terrain. At Burlingame State Park, a camper observed, "Hundreds of sites, some level some not, some dirt sites, some grassy, some with a ton of shade, some out in the open."
Electric reliability: Power fluctuations can occur during peak season at some campgrounds. A visitor to Wawaloam Campground mentioned, "Water and power are good, no internet to speak of, and many sites do not have sewer, but pump out is low cost and convenient."
Accessibility: Tight turns and narrow roads at some campgrounds require careful navigation. At East Beach State Campground, "Camping here REQUIRES a self contained vehicle, please respect the nature of this beach and pack out everything you pack in."
Generator restrictions: Limited hours for generator use at most state parks. At Charlestown Breachway, "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."
