Renting an RV in Rhode Island

The country’s smallest state has some big-time charm worth experiencing. Rhode Island is located in the heart of New England and was one of the original 13 colonies that laid the groundwork for our nation. Many people think of the northeast as a bustling metropolis, but more than 50 percent of Rhode Island is covered by lush forest. And, its Atlantic coast, with many islands and bays, boasts more than 400 miles of shoreline.

This makes Rhode Island a fantastic travel destination for your next family vacation. Consider renting an RV to make the most out of your trip to The Ocean State.  

Why Renting an RV in Rhode Island Is the Way to Go

One great benefit of opting for RV travel when vacationing in Rhode Island is that its small size will allow you to see most of the state. A great road and bridge system also allow you to explore most of the Atlantic islands as well.

Renting an RV also lets you choose how you travel and when. Your hotel is on wheels. Now that’s complete freedom. Newer models are far easier to drive and operate than their predecessors; so, if the large size of these vehicles has kept you from pursuing RV travel, reconsider these incredible machines that will forever change how you camp. 

10 Beautiful Places to See in Rhode Island in Your Rental RV

Rhode Island is first and foremost a coastal state. More than 400 miles of coastline at the southern and eastern borders are rich with amazing seafood, watersports, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The western half of the state is full of lush forests and tranquil lakes.

There’s far more to do in the little state of Rhode Island than you might imagine, so we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 places you need to see on your RV road trip to The Ocean State.

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Roger Williams Park

In southern Providence, Roger Williams Park is a great source of relaxation and entertainment for locals and visitors, alike. More than 400 acres of forested land includes nine lakes, a zoo, a botanical center, a rose garden, a museum, and a concert venue. There are also quite a few trails throughout the park to get you to any one of these great attractions.

There aren’t any good options to camp in your RV in the downtown Providence area. It would be best for you to choose if you want to start your camping visit in the bay or in the western forested areas and go from there. Most good options are about 40 minutes from downtown in any direction. Consider a visit to Roger Williams Park as a day trip from your campground.   

Learn more about Roger Williams Park

Misquamicut Beach

This beach along Rhode Island’s southern coast offers more than half a mile of sandy beach front and is among the most visited beaches in the state. Rent a boogie board and ride the waves. A revamped bathing pavilion allows you to shower off after a long day frolicking in the sand and surf. Plenty of dining options are also available along the shore. In the summer, the parking lot will reach capacity some days, so it’s a good idea to arrive early and stake out a spot.

Your best option for RV camping nearby is at Charlestown Breachway just 15 miles up the coast. The sites are right on the coast so the views and location can’t be beat. To protect the ecosystem, everything at your campsite must be entirely contained. This means no hookups or dump stations, so you will be dry camping. For convenience’s sake, you may only want to stay one night here before moving on to a better equipped campground. To the northwest, however, Timber Creek RV Resort has plenty of sites with full hookup availability if you prefer.

Learn more about Misquamicut Beach

Blackstone River Bike Path

If you prefer getting around on two wheels rather than two legs, hop on the scenic Blackstone River Bikeway. Head north of Providence to Woonsocket and park at the River's Edge Parking Area for access. The path is currently only 17 miles long but will soon expand from Worcester, Massachusetts all the way down to Providence to top out at 48 miles. You can find many historical sites along the path which makes for a great learning/exercise combo.

There aren’t any good options for RV camping near Woonsocket, but you can find accommodations at Holiday Acres Campground in Scituate, about 25 minutes from the trailhead. Full hookup service is available, as well as access to a small reservoir where you can rent a boat.

Learn more about the Blackstone River Bike Path

Colt State Park

On a peninsula in Narragansett Bay, Colt State Park is more than 450 acres of gorgeous shoreline and colorful fruit trees. Plenty of walking trails can be found along the shore, offering fantastic photo opportunities. Also enjoy a boat launch with bay access or fish from shore for striped bass and flounder. Popular attractions also include the historical museum and the open-air Chapel-by-the-Sea

Take RI-114 south about nine miles to Melville Pond Campground in Portsmouth to spend the night. There you will find full hookup access and 50/30-amp electrical service. Bonus amenities include cable TV, fire pits, and roomy pull through sites.

Learn more about Colt State Park

Mohegan Bluffs

About six miles off of Rhode Island’s southern coast, Block Island is a popular ‘daycation’ spot for tourists and locals. The most beloved feature of the 10-square-mile island is the Mohegan Bluffs. These beautiful rocky cliffs tower 200 feet above the beach below where you can find incredibly picturesque swimming and surfing. You will need to take the 55-minute Judith Point-Block Island ferry from Narragansett. Once arriving at the island, you can either walk about two miles to bluffs or hire a taxi, if you prefer.

For obvious reasons, RV camping isn’t going to work out here. However, the Worden Pond Family Campground is just 11 miles north of the harbor in Wakefield. For $50/day, you will have access to 50-amp electrical service, a water hookup, and a fire ring onsite. 

Learn more about the Mohegan Bluffs

Brenton Point State Park

Brenton Point in Narragansett Bay was originally the estate of the prominent colonial governor, William Brenton, in the 1600s. The beautiful grounds offer visitors manicured gardens, walking trails, and spectacular ocean views. It’s also considered a great place for the kids to fly kites along the shore. Hiking and fishing are also excellent at Brenton Point.

There’s no RV camping at Brenton Point, but seven miles to the northeast you’ll find the Meadowlark RV Park. Choose from one of 41 back-in sites with full hookup access and 30-amp service. Other amenities include a laundry facility, Wi-Fi, and fire rings.

Learn more about Brenton Point State Park

Narragansett Town Beach

The Narragansett Town Beach is one of the cleanest on the eastern seaboard. Pollution and cleanliness rules are strictly enforced to keep this wonderful beach pristine for generations to come. Rent a surfboard or boogie board to ride some waves or enjoy an ice cream cone or other treat on the beach from one of the many food trucks in the area. Be aware that the beach does require a $10 admission fee per person per day and during the summer, the line for non-residents to purchase passes can be quite long.

Your best bet for camping is the same one recommended for your trip to Mohegan Bluffs, the Worden Pond Family Campground. It’s just a quick 14-minute drive to the beach.

Learn more about Narragansett Town Beach

8. Historic Wickford Village

Step back to colonial times during your visit to Historic Wickford Village. Take a walking tour of the village to learn about how early settlers lived and developed a strong maritime tradition. The community goes to great lengths to preserve as much original architecture as possible. Enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the great restaurants as you look out the window and enjoy watching the boats in the bay.

Depending on where you’re at with your trip, either the previously mentioned Meadowlark RV Park to the east or Worden Pond Family Campground to the south are good options that are roughly equidistant from Wickford.

Learn more about Historic Wickford Village

 

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

A bird lover’s dream, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge hosts more than 200 avian species throughout the year and is the site of the second largest concentration of colorful harlequin ducks on the east coast during the winter months. Roughly three miles of trails will bring visitors within view of many of these birds and also provide beach access for striped bass and bluefish fishing.

By far the closest RV camping option is the Second Beach Campground (just four minutes away). The park offers 44 RV sites with full hookup access and is open mid-May through September. Be aware that no pets are allowed here and it enforces a smoke free policy.

Learn more about Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

10. Scarborough State Beaches

The beaches at Scarborough State Park are loved by locals for the large boardwalk and ample area for picnicking. It’s also positioned well for surfing and boogie boarding purposes. Be aware that the tides and currents are quite strong, so don’t venture out any farther than your skill level allows.

The Worden Pond Family Campground that’s recommended for a number of the above attractions is the closest campground option with solid amenities. You can get to the beach from your site in under 20 minutes via RI-108 and US-1 south.

Learn more about Scarborough State Beaches

Campgrounds and RV Parks in Rhode Island

Because Rhode Island is so small, camping is not allowed in most state parks and RV Parks are also quite limited. It’s really important to call ahead and reserve your sites as early as possible to avoid any headaches of last-minute hunting for site availability.

To help you find solid RV sites in Rhode Island, check out this list from Good Sam. Although there are only 17 listed, a number of these campgrounds can serve as hubs from which to venture out for your daily excursions.

Check out our Campground Guide to Rhode Island

Things to Note About Camping in Rhode Island

New England is not a particularly RV-friendly place in the winter months. A nor’easter can bring hazardous windy and icy conditions that are no fun to navigate in an RV. Travel to Rhode Island is best between April through early-November. Many folks choose to travel in the fall time to see the state’s incredible orange, red, and yellow leaf display.

If you’re out on the boat in the bay one day (and you should be!), check the weather reports in the late summer and early fall. Some remnants of southern hurricanes tend to work their way up the coast, causing pockets of small, but powerful storms that can be unpredictable. Have a plan for how to get back to shore quickly if the sky begins to turn.  Good Sam has a listing of their campgrounds in Rhode Island here.

Dry Camping or Boondocking in Rhode Island

If you are looking to get “away from it all,” dry camping, or “boondocking” is your best RV option to isolate yourself. Boondocking means that there are no hookups available (e.g. sewer, electrical, water) and your RV unit is operating independently. Typically, this is not recommended for novice RVers, so we encourage you to do more research if you are interested in giving dry camping a try.

A great place to do this is on public land identified by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Unfortunately, Rhode Island is small and does not currently have any BLM sites suitable for dry camping in your RV. Although, some campgrounds will often let you dry camp if all of their hookup spots are taken and they have additional space. You can also check with some ‘big box stores’ that allow RV travelers to set up camp in their parking lots.

Check out our Boondocking Guide to Rhode Island