Modern, full hook up RV Sites only 5 minutes from historic Newport, Rhode Island and breathtaking ocean beaches. Founded as Melville Ponds by John O. Thayer, our decades of hosting guests feels like welcoming family back for another experience that will be treasured long after check out.

Located on Aquidneck Island, Newport is a feast for the senses. A veritable banquet of salt air, gilded mansions, and ocean breezes. Newport's food scene is a destination in and of itself. With over one hundred dining establishments, one could spend weeks just sampling the epicurean delights.

Newport RV Park offers all accommodations needed for a short or long term stay. All 100 plus RV sites offer full hookup and your choice of a back in or premium pull thru site for your stay. If you prefer a shaded site or an open air/no overhead obstructions location- we've got a site that will fit your unit comfortably throughout the park. For those who want to experience a classic camping experience, rustic tent sites are available in a separate area of the park.



ON-SITE AMENITIES:

• 5 miles from Historical Newport

• Sandy Point Beach – 5 miles

• Close to shopping, tourist train, fine dining & theaters

• Beautiful RV & tent campsites

• Shaded and level campsites

• Full-hookup campsites

• 30 & 50 AMP on all RV sites

• Picnic tables and fire rings at every campsite

• Clean comfort station

• Complimentary hot showers

• Ice & firewood available on-site

• Stocked camp store

• Complimentary WIFI and digital cable

• Water and Sewer on all RV sites

• Dog Park

• Fishing at Melville Park (RI Fishing License required)

• Access to Hiking & walking trails

• Playground

• Obstruction free campsites - full sun

• Covered pavilion

• Coin op laundry

• Pull thru & back in campsites



Newport RV Park

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. The other camping option, which did appeal to us, was Fishermen’s Memorial State Park but it was a good 30-40 minutes away from downtown Newport and required paying bridge tolls so we decided to give Melville Ponds a go. There is another RV park closer to downtown but it seemed more like a parking lot not very appealing. Melville Ponds worked out the best for us because it was adjacent to a county park with wooded hiking trails, a large pond and an off-leash dog park which were very appealing because of our dog.

The park has over 100 sites and spread out over many acres. Roads are gravel and easy enough any size RV to navigate. Some sites are set beneath large trees in an attractive wooded setting while others are in an open grassy area with pads being both gravel and grass. The park is a mix of seasonal and transient campers. Site types include full hook-up (max 30 amp), water/electric only, dry camping, and a large tent section. There is a dump station located at the entrance to the park and gray water dump stations are spread among sites without sewer. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. The bathrooms and shower house are located in the middle of the park and were very clean. There is a small camp store, large playground, basketball court, and open air covered pavilion with picnic tables.

We chose a site in the open because the winds were projected to be 40-50 mph while we were there and we did not want falling branches on the coach. Our site (F4) had 30 amp and water. Satellite reception (Dish TV) was good and we were able to get a number of air antenna channels. The section that we were in was very big rig-friendly and one site that can be used as a pull-thru.   

The park is open from April 15th to November 15th. Prices vary depending on the season, if you have a weekly/monthly rate, and the type of hook-ups you want. We paid $38/night for water and 30 amp service.

The park is located within 1/2 mile of restaurants, gas stations, grocery, shopping, and more. Downtown historic Newport is a 10-minute drive away and you are only 35 minutes from Providence.  There is definitely lots to do in Newport and Providence. You can tour 70-room mansions, visit the beach, brush up on tennis history at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum, watch boats cruise in and out of a beautiful harbor, shop, eat at fabulous restaurants, and gawk at the charming historic homes. 

The location of this park was great for what we were doing – not too far from Newport but in a nice quiet section of town. The distance between sites was far enough that you did not feel cramped or on top of your neighbor. The nearby hiking trail was perfect for our dog and while it was just a few miles long, it was great because it was within walking distance and she could swim in the pond. The close proximity of restaurants was an added bonus.

Great location to Newport 

We got a great pull through full hookup with a 5 minute walk to a huge dog park. There are also a bunch of beautiful trails right from the park

Best dog park

This is a cute little campground that’s easy to access. It’s 20 minutes from downtown Newport and about 45 minutes to downtown Providence. 

It’s well shaded, has a nice playground, bathhouse, and a laundry room. My biggest complaint is the dryers are terrible. I had to dry my clothes 3 times ( that’s 3 hours). Nobody has time for that. Also if you’re tent camping, the bathrooms are very inconvenient. 

Finally, our site was not angled and that made it tougher to get in to it. 


Quiet, small, bigger sites, no amenities 

Excellent location for exploring the cites and beaches of Rhode Island!  Call ahead to check on shade versus full sun sites if that’s important and take note of grass and course gravel pad material as well.  The main campground is on a  slope, so be prepared for some leveling requirements, especially sites #216 and #217 (front to back).  Also, our site #215 was at the bottom of the hill, so it was a bit mucky.  This site also sloped down on both sides of the pad significantly reducing the usable footprint of the area.  Otherwise a perfect experience with friendly hosts, clean facilities and centrally located!

Excellent Location & Clean Facilities !

We stayed in the premium pull through sites here. The whole campground is gorgeous. You’ll notice how clean and quiet it is right when you first arrive. Check in was under a minute; the staff already had everything prepared which made it super simple. The premium sites have no shade and are a little close to the neighbors. However, they have great paver stone patios and fire pits. They also had a slight downhill slope so it required some extra blocks to level out. Overall, the whole place is a great campground. Plenty of hiking within walking distance and a short drive to all local attractions. Plenty of amenities and a modest camp store as well. I’ll be back for sure. 

Clean and quiet camping close to downtown

  

  

Wonderful staff clean tent site are amazing great place to camp and fish and hike great place to take a dog

Great staff

We stayed for the Newport folk fest in 2021 and although expensive because you have to stay four days it was worth it. Steve saved us honestly because we had no reservation here. By chance they had a cancellation. He also gave us ice and firewood as we were stressed after the ordeal of realizing no way we’ll find a place with no reservation last minute! We had one at another place that neglected to say on website RV only. No showers or toilets!!  We were two girls camping and needed a good safe place. This was it!  Clean Bathrooms with music piped in. Love this place to pieces. 

This place is near perfect 

Pay one price, no hidden fees- the park was recently updated and was beautiful. Spoke to the nice gal in the office and she pointed out that the owners (who are the same one even though they just changed the name of the place from Melville Ponds) that there were these cute airstreams that can be booked on Air BnB- which would be a fun option for some non-camping friends we have who don't want to pay the high cost of a hotel in Newport. There's a cottage to rent to- but 3 bedrooms is more than anyone we know would need. So glad we found this place and we've already booked our 2023 stay!

Absolute Gem of an RV Park

Sites were not bad. They did have stone down for a base. Sites are 1/2 in wooded areas and 1/2 in open field.
We went on a Holiday Weekend but they were not very personable and did not give us events going on around. There is no pool here. Beaches are about a 15-20 min drive