Wooded sites, a water park, and full RV hookups make Wawaloam Campground one of the more activity-dense private campgrounds in Rhode Island's rural south. The campground runs April through October and accommodates rigs up to 50 feet, with electric, water, and sewer hookups available. Tents are not permitted. Sites are generously spaced, and the front camping section tends to feel less crowded than the seasonal area toward the back of the property.
Water access is the defining draw here. The grounds include two swimming pools, a water slide, a splash pad, and a fishing pond, and reviewers consistently flag these as the main reasons families return. The pools close at 8pm, which is worth factoring into evening plans. Mini golf is available for an additional fee. The camp store is well-stocked, and multiple reviewers note the bathrooms and showers are cleaned regularly. Showers are free. WiFi is limited to the store and pool area and does not reliably reach individual sites, so campers who need connectivity at their rig should plan accordingly.
David V. notes that "water pressure is ok and power is a bit iffy when the park is full," which is a practical consideration for weekend stays during peak summer. Weekday visits tend to be quieter. The campground sits in a rural, wooded stretch of Richmond, and Newport is roughly 35 minutes away by car, making it a workable base for day trips along the coast. Campers researching places to camp near Richmond will find limited options in the state, which makes Wawaloam a natural anchor for an East Coast itinerary. Families with kids and dogs who want structured amenities alongside wooded sites will find this campground worth a closer look.
Description
Wawaloam, named after a Nipmuck Native American Princess, is truly a family affair. In 1969, Jim and Maureen Smith began their dream of running a successful vacation destination for campers visiting the Southern New England area. Nearly fifty years and three generations later, Wawaloam has become a favorite place for campers of all ages.
Families love the fact that Wawaloam includes 3 children in our base rate. Isn’t that what family camping is all about? Wawaloam also welcomes well-behaved pets for a small fee of $5 per night. After all, we’re animal lovers, too! Everyone is encouraged to participate in the various activities Wawaloam has to offer: from crafts to dances, movies to mini golf, Wawaloam has activities for everyone in your family. Wawaloam has become famous for our Friday night dinner and Sunday morning breakfast menus. Our head chef Jim uses local produce and seafood right off the boat in Galilee! Wawaloam has the most spacious sites around and we’re top-rated in the Good Sam Directory and on TripAdvisor. We take pride in our campground and it shows!
Map & DirectionsWawaloam Campground is located in Rhode Island near Richmond
Directions
Take Route 95 (N or S) to Exit 5A. Bear right onto Route 3, then left at the lights onto Route 102 South. Drive 1.5 miles and turn right onto Town Hall Road at Wawaloam Elementary School. At the end of the road, bear right around the old town hall and take your FIRST LEFT (at the telephone pole in the middle of the road) onto Gardiner Road. Follow Gardiner Road 1.5 miles to Wawaloam on the right.
Address
510 Gardiner Rd
Richmond, RI 02892
Coordinates
41.55737544 N
71.62385636 W
Connectivity
T-MobileLTESome Coverage
Verizon5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/3/26
AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/4/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome Coverage
- Verizon5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/3/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/4/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 24 min from Providence, RI
- 33 min from Norwich, CT
- 1 hr 1 min from Worcester, MA
- 1 hr 8 min from Hartford, CT
