Wood River Junction, Rhode Island provides access to several established campgrounds within a 20-mile radius, including Burlingame State Park Campground and Fishermens Memorial State Park. The area features diverse accommodation options ranging from tent and RV sites to cabin rentals and glamping experiences. Campgrounds like Whispering Pines and Mystic KOA offer full hookups for RVs while maintaining tent camping areas. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restroom facilities, with many also offering showers and dump stations for RVs.
Camping availability in the region typically runs from April through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. Burlingame State Park, the largest campground in the area with over 700 sites, requires advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity. Water access is a significant draw for many campgrounds, with several offering proximity to beaches, ponds, or coastal areas. Terrain varies across campgrounds, with many sites featuring uneven ground that may require leveling for RVs or careful tent placement. A camper noted, "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; if you have a tent, be sure to bring good mattresses to protect you from the roots and rocks."
Waterfront camping locations receive consistently positive reviews, with Charlestown Breachway State Park offering direct beach access despite its parking lot-like setting. Several visitors mentioned the importance of selecting sites strategically, as privacy levels vary considerably within each campground. Burlingame State Park provides visual separation between many sites, though some areas have unclear boundaries. Campgrounds closer to the coast tend to command higher fees, particularly for out-of-state visitors. According to one visitor, "The rates for out of state campers are significantly more than for residents. I'm used to paying $5 or even $10 more for being from out of state but here the fee is double or more." Family-friendly amenities are common at private campgrounds like Wawaloam and Whispering Pines, which feature pools, splash pads, and organized activities during peak season.
$18 - $50 / night
"I've never camped in Rhode Island, so I was curious to see what a state park campground had to offer."
"Site wise no one was around us so it was extra quiet and the park rangers are always around so always help if you need it. Walmart is less than ten minutes away too if you’re needing anything."
$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."
"This campground is just 15-minutes from Mystic and about an hour’s drive to Newport, Rhode Island."
"The only drawback is the proximity to Interstate 95. You can hear the highway very well at night, particularly in the safari field."
$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.
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$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."
$60 - $120 / night
"It was a bit too cold outside but the pools and hot tubs looked nice. Splash pad was clean and used by kids. Lots of roads to bike on and walk dogs. Live band on Saturday night was nice."
"It is close by to some nice shopping areas as well. Bingo is always a family favorite and they even had that as well!"
$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."
$17 / night
"Awesome place nice pond walking distance from site great swimming and fishing spacious sites pretty private"
"Great off the beaten path place to camp. Sites are large but close together. Each contain a rock built fire ring. There are toilets but no showers. Good parking for camper but limited for guests."
$17 - $50 / night
"General: There are three sections to this campground: five canoe sites; 16 sites including one cabin behind the ranger station and what I would assume is the main section with 61 sites."
"It is just off the highway, and most sites don’t use electricity or water."
"It is a quick drive to the beach, we loved Westerly & Misquamicut Beaches. Lots to do in the area and stores if needed."
RangerWe did a family campout here and had several sites together. We camped in our pop up in the field. We were close to activities and enjoyed an afternoon tubing down the river. The bathrooms weren't the cleanest, but we've seen worse. We enjoyed our time here.
RangerWe stayed at one of the lean-to sites and really enjoyed our time here. We went fishing and explored the area. We hiked to the tri-state marker (CT-MA-RI) on a nearby trail. Plenty to do and see! Bathrooms were cleaner than what we are used to in a state campground.
ScoutCamped early in the season mid week, and it was nice and quiet. The "new" park rangers are take their jobs delightfully serious.
Our site had plenty of sun for solar but in seagull loop there is loads of shade
ScoutCampground was great. Site was in great shape, everything in order. Portapotties were large. The road made the trip horrible for peace and quiet lovers. I knew it was close to the road, but right on top of it AND a heavily traveled route.
ScoutCute Rv park. Very family friendly, the women who at the office are also incredibly nice and helpful! Seems like a lot of people either live full time or come on weekends but we were able to book a spot for a week.
RangerWe love camping here. From the history of the area, to its proximity to the ocean, to the many places to explore, to the nice sites and clean bathrooms! We have been coming here for over a decade and enjoy every trip. We usually grab dinner at George's of Galilee, and have taken the ferry to Block Island as well. There are a bunch of old military defenses from WWII in Narragansett Bay, including one in the campground. We've tent and camper camped, and enjoyed both.
RangerOur first time camping here, we were trying to get a more secluded spot, but the pics on ReserveAmerica were not the greatest gauge of the sites. The sites were OK, some better than others, we didn't have any amenities but there was potable water nearby. There are cabins, which are really just bunkhouses with 2 bunk beds. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. Our loop had porta potties nearby, we only saw one real bathroom with flushing toilets and showers. We did go for a nice hike, the North/South Trail goes through the campground and there are many trails in the area as well. We did a 5+ mile loop and got a good sense of what the trails are like. Found some geocaches and our pups got a good workout.
ScoutWe went last week to visit my brother and sister-in-law in the park was clean. Everybody was friendly. The staff was awesome and they even checked on us while we were there to see if we need anything. The neighbors were wonderful definitely will come back.
ScoutPicked up a one way rental RV on the way to Florida. I arrived early afternoon and was met quickly and shown to my spot and helped with all the hookups and “lay of the land” Very easy and helpful.
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.
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!"
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."
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."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Wood River Junction, RI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wood River Junction, RI is Burlingame State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 51 reviews.
What parks are near Wood River Junction, RI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Wood River Junction, RI that allow camping, notably West Hill Dam and Westville Lake.
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