Rhode Island may not be the biggest state but it has some of the most beautiful campgrounds. Whether you want to stay right on the ocean or overlooking the bay, or maybe you prefer the classic wooded campsite near a lake for fishing and swimming, there are lots of options for camping in the state. Here are the 5 best places to camp in Rhode Island this summer.
1. Charleston Breachway State Campground
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How would you like to pull your RV into a campsite right on the beach? Then you need to make reservations for Charleston Breachway State Campground. There are sites located along the east side of the Breachway, which is walking distance to the sandy Charleston State Beach. These are RV only sites, so no tent or pop-up campers, but a great option for RV’ers to take advantage of the beautiful views of Block Island Sound. Bring your fishing gear because this park is a prime location for saltwater fishing. Fish for striped bass, sea bass, mahi-mahi and Atlantic bonito. The Charleston Breachway is one of the best places to camp in Rhode Island because you can fall asleep in your camper listening to the ocean waves.
| Charleston Breachway State Campground | |
|---|---|
| Location | Along the Atlantic coast near Charleston |
| Nearest City | Charleston |
| RV sites | Yes, no electric, no water, no sewer |
| Tent sites | No |
| Cabins | No |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | No, campfires are not allowed |
| Amenities | Restrooms, boat ramp, walk to swimming beach |
| Pet Friendly | No, no pets allowed |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Pull in to a campsite by the sea! |
2. Fisherman’s Memorial Campground
Located just 6 miles south of Narragansett is the seaside village feel of Fisherman’s Memorial Campground. It is just a short drive to Scarborough Beach (1.6 miles), Roger Wheeler State Beach (1.2 miles) and the Point Judith Lighthouse (1.7 miles). Bring your fishing gear for saltwater fishing at Camp Cronin Fishing Area where you can put your canoe or kayak in to get out a little further from the shore. Try to catch bluefish, bonitos and flounder without having to go to deep in the more turbulent waters.
After a day of exploring head back to the Campground which has 147 RV sites and 35 tent sites. There is a playground, basketball court, tennis courts and horseshoe pit. The campground fills quickly, so make your reservations early. You can see why this is one of the best places to camp in Rhode Island this summer!
| Fisherman’s Memorial Campground | |
|---|---|
| Location | 6 miles south of downtown Narrangansett |
| Nearest City | Narrangansett |
| RV sites | 147 sites, variety of hookups including some with full hookups |
| Tent sites | 35 sites |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, playground, basketball, tennis |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes, reserve early! |
| What makes it one of the best | So close to multiple beaches and sites |
3. George Washington State Campground
©iStock.com/Dmytro Aslanian
In the far NW corner of Rhode Island, almost to Connecticut is the 4000 acre George Washington Management Area. The park and campground are located on the shores of the Bowdish Reservoir. This is a great park for hiking, boating, fishing and swimming. A peaceful, wooded campground where you are sure to run into some deer, chipmunks and maybe even a curious raccoon after hours. Fire up the campfire and get ready for some s’mores before turning in for the night!
| George Washington State Campground | |
|---|---|
| Location | 25 miles NW of Providence |
| Nearest City | Chepachet |
| RV/Tent Sites | 76 sites (no utilities) 57 standard |
| Hike-in only sites | 17 tent only |
| Cabins | 4 available in 2022 |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Outhouses, composting toilets at the hike-in sites |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Primitive wooded camping with lake access to cool off this summer! |
4. Burlingame State Park
©Susilee Dean/Shutterstock.com
Burlingame State Park near Charlestown has 700 different campsites spread out through the park. For all your watersport fun there is the Watchaug Pond. Don’t be confused by the term “pond” this is one of the largest freshwater ponds in the state with a sandy beach for swimming and a boat launch to take your kayak out to explore. Throw a backpack on with some water and a granola bar or two and hike the John Vincent Gormely Trail over to the Kimball Wildlife Refuge which used to be owned by the Audubon Society. Keep an eye out for warblers and ruby-throated hummingbirds as well many songbirds that call the park home.
The campground at Burlingame has 20 cabins along with the 700 RV/Tent sites. There are restrooms, a playground and arcade for the kids. Both wooded and sunny sites are available so get your camper or tent ready for a nice camping adventure.
| Burlingame State Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | Just outside of Charleston |
| Nearest City | Charlestown |
| RV/Tent Sites | 700 |
| Cabins | 20 |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, arcade, playground, freshwater beach |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Such a variety of campsites to choose from. |
5. Fort Getty Campground
©Tory Kallman/Shutterstock.com
If you want to take a stroll on the Newport Cliff Walk you will enjoy the scenic ocean views and maybe even spot a friendly bottlenose dolphin or two swimming by. You can hike the whole trail, with some sections requiring mild rock climbing or just sections of it, stopping at beaches along the way.
Camping nearby at the Fort Getty Campground is a great place to settle in to explore all there is to see and do in Newport. The campground is in Jamestown and has RV and Tent sites with a public boat ramp to put your boat in to explore the mansions along the shore of Newport. There is also a rocky beach and dock for fishing. Another one of the best places to camp in Rhode Island this summer!
| Fort Getty Campground | |
|---|---|
| Location | Just west of downtown Newport |
| Nearest City | Jamestown |
| RV sites | 83 |
| Tent sites | 26 |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, laundry |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes, the RV sites often fill with seasonal campers first, but Tent reservations can be made all summer |
| What makes it one of the best | Centrally located to explore Newport and Jamestown. |
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Sources
- , Available here: https://riparks.com/camping.php#breachway
- , Available here: https://riparks.com/camping.php#fishermen
- , Available here: https://rhodeislandstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/george-washington-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=RI&parkId=253123
- , Available here: https://www.jamestownri.gov/town-departments/parks-rec/fort-getty
- , Available here: https://riparks.com/parks/burlingame.php
