Best Campgrounds in Rhode Island

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the nation, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in camping diversity. From oceanfront sites where waves lull you to sleep to forested retreats near pristine lakes, the Ocean State offers surprisingly varied camping experiences within its compact borders. The state’s unique geography means you’re never far from saltwater, whether that’s Narragansett Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, or one of the many coastal salt ponds. Inland campgrounds offer quieter forest settings with easy access to hiking trails and freshwater swimming. Let’s explore the best places to pitch your tent or park your RV in this charming New England state, where natural beauty and rich history create perfect settings for outdoor adventures.

Burlingame State Park

Number of Campsites: 755
Reservations: Rhode Island State Parks Reservation System
Address: 1 Burlingame State Park Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813

Nestled against the shores of Watchaug Pond in Charlestown, Burlingame State Park offers Rhode Island’s largest and most popular camping experience. The extensive campground spreads through a mixed forest of oak, pine, and maple, creating natural divisions between many of the sites. The sound of leaves rustling in the coastal breeze provides a constant, soothing backdrop throughout the grounds.

Early mornings bring a chorus of songbirds and the occasional call of osprey fishing over the 573-acre pond that borders the campground. Mist often rises from the water’s surface, creating ethereal scenes as sunlight filters through tall pines. The aroma of campfire coffee mingles with the scent of pine needles warming in the morning sun, signaling the start of another day in this peaceful retreat.

The pond itself serves as the centerpiece for recreation, with a designated swimming beach featuring clear, freshwater that provides a refreshing alternative to Rhode Island’s saltwater options. Canoes and kayaks slide silently across the pond’s surface, allowing paddlers to explore quiet coves where painted turtles sun themselves on fallen logs and great blue herons stalk the shallows for fish.

Hikers can access the North South Trail from the campground, part of a 77-mile route that traverses the state from the Atlantic Ocean to the Massachusetts border. More moderate walks wind through the adjacent Burlingame Management Area, where stone walls dating back to colonial times crisscross the forest, telling silent stories of the land’s agricultural past.

As evening approaches, the campground comes alive with the flicker of campfires and the scent of outdoor cooking. Despite being Rhode Island’s largest campground, the thoughtful layout and abundant trees create pockets of privacy throughout. The minimal light pollution allows stars to shine brightly on clear nights, especially in the more remote camping loops.

Fishermen’s Memorial State Park

Number of Campsites: 182
Reservations: Rhode Island State Parks Reservation System
Address: 1011 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, RI 02882

For campers seeking proximity to Rhode Island’s famous beaches, Fishermen’s Memorial State Park offers an ideal location in Narragansett, just minutes from some of the state’s finest shorelines. The open, grassy campground features neatly arranged sites with plenty of sun—perfect for solar charging or drying beach gear after a day in the salt water.

Though the campground itself lacks direct beach frontage, the compensation comes in well-maintained facilities and exceptional access to coastal attractions. The fresh scent of salt air permeates the grounds, carrying with it the distant sound of surf and seabirds. Morning fog sometimes rolls in from the nearby Atlantic, burning off as the sun climbs higher to reveal brilliant blue skies.

The park’s location is its greatest asset—just a short drive or bike ride from Scarborough State Beach, with its wide sandy shoreline and refreshing surf. Roger Wheeler State Beach, Point Judith Lighthouse, and the Block Island Ferry terminal are all within easy reach, making this campground an ideal base for exploring Rhode Island’s southern coast.

The campground features modern amenities including hot showers and laundry facilities—particularly welcome for travelers on extended trips. The park store keeps essential supplies close at hand, from forgotten toiletries to marshmallows for evening s’mores. Sites offer water and electrical hookups, making this an ideal choice for RV campers and those preferring a more comfortable outdoor experience.

Despite its developed nature, wildlife still makes appearances throughout the grounds—rabbits frequently browse between campsites in the early morning hours, while various songbirds flit between scattered trees. Ospreys can often be spotted overhead, commuting between fishing grounds in the nearby salt ponds and ocean.

East Beach/Ninigret Conservation Area

Number of Campsites: 20 primitive sites
Reservations: Rhode Island State Parks Reservation System
Address: East Beach Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813

For those seeking a truly immersive coastal camping experience, East Beach offers Rhode Island’s most primitive and stunning oceanfront sites. This remote stretch of barrier beach separates Ninigret Pond from the Atlantic Ocean, creating a unique camping environment where you’ll fall asleep to the rhythm of crashing waves just steps from your tent.

The small campground consists of just 20 sites arranged in a single row behind the primary dune line, providing protection from coastal winds while maintaining easy access to the beach. There are no hookups, showers, or flush toilets here—just portable toilets and cold-water spigots—making this a destination for campers who prize location over amenities.

What East Beach lacks in facilities, it more than compensates for with natural beauty. Step over the dune from your campsite and emerge onto a sweeping expanse of pristine sandy beach stretching for miles in either direction. The vast Atlantic spreads before you, with powerful waves rolling in from the open ocean. Behind the campground, Ninigret Pond offers calmer waters perfect for kayaking and wildlife observation.

Mornings bring spectacular sunrises over the ocean horizon, with light gradually illuminating the beach as shore birds scurry along the water’s edge searching for breakfast. During the day, swimming, beachcombing, and surfcasting for striped bass occupy campers’ time. Bring binoculars for spotting passing boats and perhaps even dolphins offshore.

Four-wheel drive vehicles are required to reach the campground, adding to the sense of adventure and isolation. The combination of difficult access and limited facilities ensures that even during peak summer season, East Beach never feels crowded—a rarity among New England coastal destinations.

George Washington Memorial Camping Area

Number of Campsites: 45
Reservations: Rhode Island State Parks Reservation System
Address: 2185 Putnam Pike, Glocester, RI 02814

Deep in Rhode Island’s rural northwest corner lies George Washington Memorial Camping Area, offering a forested retreat far removed from the coastal crowds. The campground sits within the 4,000-acre George Washington Management Area, surrounding Bowdish Reservoir—a pristine 228-acre lake that serves as the focal point for recreation.

Sites here are arranged in a traditional wooded camping setting, with trees separating most spaces and providing welcome shade during summer months. The forest consists primarily of oak, maple, and pine, creating a classic New England woodland atmosphere. Morning birdsong is abundant, with woodpeckers, nuthatches, and numerous warblers contributing to the dawn chorus.

The reservoir invites fishing and non-motorized boating, with smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and trout providing targets for anglers. A small beach area offers swimming opportunities during hot summer days, when the cool, fresh water provides perfect relief. Unlike Rhode Island’s often crowded beaches, this swimming area maintains a peaceful atmosphere even during peak season.

Hikers can explore the extensive trail network that winds through the surrounding management area, passing through diverse forest ecosystems and alongside wetlands where wildlife viewing opportunities abound. White-tailed deer are common sights at dawn and dusk, while various amphibians make themselves known through calls that intensify after summer rains.

The campground’s remote location results in remarkably dark night skies, allowing impressive stargazing on clear evenings. As night falls and campfires glow throughout the grounds, the calls of barred owls (“who cooks for you, who cooks for you-all”) often echo through the forest, adding to the wilderness ambiance despite being just an hour from Providence.

Charlestown Breachway

Number of Campsites: 75 (RV only)
Reservations: Rhode Island State Parks Reservation System
Address: Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813

For those seeking an unfiltered coastal camping experience, Charlestown Breachway offers something unique in Rhode Island—RV camping directly on the shoreline where Ninigret Pond meets the Atlantic Ocean. The campground consists simply of designated parking spaces along a gravel lot, with no hookups or facilities beyond vault toilets. What it lacks in amenities, it more than makes up for with its extraordinary location.

The “breachway” refers to the channel where the coastal salt pond connects to the open ocean, creating a fascinating mix of ecosystems and excellent fishing opportunities. Campers fall asleep to the sound of water rushing through the breachway with each tide change, combined with the more distant crash of ocean waves.

Sunrises here are legendary, with light gradually illuminating the meeting point of pond and ocean as gulls wheel overhead and fishing boats head out for the day. The location is a paradise for anglers, who can cast directly from shore into the breachway, where striped bass, bluefish, and summer flounder congregate with the moving tides.

The adjacent beach stretches for miles, offering excellent swimming and beachcombing opportunities. The varied shoreline means you can choose between ocean surf or the calmer waters of the salt pond, depending on your preference and the day’s weather conditions. Kayakers particularly appreciate the ability to launch directly from their campsite into Ninigret Pond, where they can explore protected waters rich in wildlife.

Due to its exposed position, the breachway can experience significant winds, creating a cooling effect during summer heat but requiring secure awnings and outdoor setups. The salt air permeates everything—a small price to pay for the unmatched proximity to both ocean and salt pond.

Melville Ponds Campground

Number of Campsites: 94
Reservations: Melville Ponds Campground
Address: 181 Bradford Ave, Portsmouth, RI 02871

Located on Aquidneck Island—home to Newport and its famous mansions—Melville Ponds Campground offers a convenient base for exploring Rhode Island’s most prestigious coastal area. The campground is tucked into a quiet corner of Portsmouth, surrounding several small freshwater ponds that reflect the sky and neighboring trees.

The camping area features a mix of open and wooded sites, arranged in a way that provides more privacy than many commercial campgrounds. Tall pines and oaks create natural divisions between many sites, while their high canopies allow dappled sunlight to filter through. Morning brings a gentle chorus of songbirds, complemented by the occasional splash of fish rising in the adjacent ponds.

What makes Melville particularly appealing is its combination of natural setting and strategic location. Despite feeling removed from urban bustle, the campground is just minutes from Newport’s Gilded Age mansions, cliff walk, and harbor. The beaches of Middletown lie just a short drive away, as do the vineyards and farm stands that make Aquidneck Island a culinary destination.

The campground itself offers modern amenities including hot showers, laundry facilities, and a well-stocked camp store. A swimming pool provides a refreshing alternative on days when you don’t venture to the beach, while a fishing pier extends into one of the ponds, offering opportunities to catch largemouth bass and sunfish.

Evening brings a peaceful atmosphere to the grounds, as the day’s explorations give way to campfires and relaxation. The island location moderates summer temperatures, with ocean breezes often providing natural cooling during hot afternoons and evenings.

Fort Getty Campground

Number of Campsites: 83
Reservations: Town of Jamestown
Address: Fort Getty Rd, Jamestown, RI 02835

Perched on a peninsula extending into Narragansett Bay, Fort Getty Campground offers sweeping water views and cool ocean breezes within the charming island town of Jamestown. The former military installation now serves as a public park and campground, where history and natural beauty combine to create a unique camping experience.

The campground occupies an open, grassy area with sites arranged along the waterfront and in several inland rows. Most sites lack significant tree cover, creating an airy, expansive feel with extraordinary views of the bay and the iconic Jamestown Bridge. Morning light brings the water to life, with sailboats and fishing vessels traversing the bay against a backdrop of distant shorelines.

What makes Fort Getty special is its immediate access to the water. A boat ramp allows campers to launch directly from the campground, while a fishing pier extends into deeper water where striped bass and bluefish patrol during summer months. At low tide, the rocky shoreline reveals tide pools filled with fascinating marine creatures, from scuttling crabs to colorful periwinkles.

The remains of military fortifications dot the grounds, providing both historical interest and unique vantage points for viewing the bay. Walking paths wind around the peninsula’s perimeter, offering constantly changing perspectives on the surrounding waters and distant Newport Bridge. Sunsets here are spectacular, as fading light paints the sky and reflects off the bay’s surface in a dazzling display of color.

Despite feeling remote, the campground sits just minutes from Jamestown’s charming village center, with its seafood restaurants and quaint shops. The island location provides a perfect balance of access and seclusion—close enough to attractions for easy day trips, yet removed enough to feel like a true escape.

Whispering Pines Campground

Number of Campsites: 100
Reservations: Whispering Pines Campground
Address: 825 Reynolds Rd, Hope Valley, RI 02832

In Rhode Island’s western woodland, Whispering Pines lives up to its name with a serene, tree-filled setting where tall eastern white pines sway gently in the breeze, creating a constant, soothing soundtrack throughout the grounds. This family-owned campground balances natural beauty with thoughtful amenities, creating a comfortable base for exploring the state’s rural side.

The campground surrounds a small, spring-fed pond where the water’s surface gleams in early morning light, often perfectly still until the day’s first swimmers or paddlers venture out. Sites are arranged to take advantage of natural features, with many tucked between stands of pine, oak, and maple that provide welcome shade during summer months.

Recreation centers around the pond, with swimming, fishing, and paddle boating all popular activities. A sandy beach area provides easy water access for families with young children, while anglers find the pond’s deeper sections hold largemouth bass and pickerel. Beyond the water, basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and a recreation hall offer diversions during occasional rainy days.

The surrounding area invites exploration, with the Arcadia Management Area—Rhode Island’s largest state forest—just minutes away. Here, hikers and mountain bikers can explore over 14,000 acres of woodland crossed by numerous trails. Several local wineries offer tastings of surprisingly good Rhode Island vintages, making for perfect afternoon excursions.

Evenings at Whispering Pines bring a friendly, community atmosphere as the scent of campfire cooking drifts between sites. Weekend activities often include hayrides, outdoor movies, or live music—though there’s always the option to simply relax beside your own fire, listening to the gentle rustle of pine needles overhead.

Final Thoughts About Camping in Rhode Island

Rhode Island may be small in size, but its camping options showcase remarkable diversity for such a compact state. From the primitive oceanfront sites of East Beach to the family-friendly woodland settings of Burlingame and Whispering Pines, Rhode Island’s campgrounds offer experiences to match any outdoor preference.

The best time to camp in Rhode Island generally runs from May through October, with July and August bringing the warmest temperatures for swimming and water activities. Early fall presents a special charm as summer crowds diminish and the hardwood forests begin their colorful transformation. For the most comfortable experience, consider camping weekdays rather than weekends during peak summer season, when the small state’s limited campsites can fill quickly.

Whether you’re drawn to the rhythm of ocean waves, the tranquility of forest ponds, or the convenience of camping near famous attractions, Rhode Island’s campgrounds invite you to discover the natural beauty that complements the Ocean State’s rich history and culture. Pack your camping gear and prepare to experience New England’s smallest state in its most authentic and memorable settings.