Glamping is a portmanteau of “camping” and “glamourous.” The general idea involves staying in upscale tents, yurts, or cabins with creature comforts, such as kitchens, air conditioning, and upscale bedding. Some facilities even have indoor plumbing. In Rhode Island, which is only 38 miles by 47 miles in size, there are at least a dozen glamping locations scattered around the state. Cities that are near glamping locations include Providence, Newport, and Charlestown. Rhode Island is world-famous for its boating opportunities. In fact, Newport was the site of many defenses of the America’s Cup, and the sailing tradition is embedded in Rhode Island’s history. Despite Rhode Island being the country’s smallest state, there are still more than 400 hiking trails to explore in various parks, conservancies, and other public lands.
Top Glamping Sites in Rhode Island
Holiday Acres Campground
Holiday Acres Campground has been a popular vacation destination since 1945. Its cabins feature beds of different sizes, kitchens, running water, and even lofts; there’s even a charming little cabin called “The Doll House,” which sleeps two people. Campground amenities include full bathrooms, showers, a game room, an outdoor game area, and a big field for family sports. There’s also a camp store for essentials, snacks, and souvenirs. The closest city to Holiday Acres Campground is Greenville.
Oakleaf Family Campground
Near Ponagansett Reservoir, you’ll find Oakleaf Family Campground that is a little more than 11 miles from Pascoag. The campground doesn’t have cabins or yurts, but it’s still got glamping opportunities in the form of trailer RVs that function as cabins. The campground provides sheets and basic kitchen utensils as well as comfy beds, electricity, and rolls of toilet paper that are safe for septic systems. Because it’s a family-friendly campground, there are all manner of activities throughout the season that include everything from pool parties to car shows. You are free to use the pool and to enjoy the sports equipment as you like.
Burlingame State Campground
Although the cabins at Burlingame State Campground are fairly rustic, they’re quaint, clean, and quiet. The campground amenities feature full restrooms, showers, a camp store, and an arcade. This is a great place to glamp if you like wildlife because the campground borders both the Burlingame Wildlife Management Area and the Kimball Wildlife Refuge. You can also swim at the campground’s freshwater beach, and there are lifeguards on duty on most days during the season. You’ll find Burlingame State Campground a little less than five miles from Weekapaug.
Whispering Pines Campground
Take the glamourous high road and glamp at Whispering Pines Campground in one of their modernized cabins with a refrigerator, running water, and air conditioning. The camp is nestled among 50 acres of towering pines with plenty of nature to explore. You and the family can enjoy some “stick-to-your-ribs” fare at the snack bar after a round of miniature golf or bocce. The recreation center includes an arcade, and you can even get Whispering Pines Campground merchandise at the camp store. The campground adjoins the village of Hope Valley.
Block Island Inns
You’ll have to take a ferry to get there, so you’ll probably have to leave your RV behind. However, when it comes to “upscale,” it’s difficult to find someplace better than Block Island Inns. There are several cottages available for rental throughout the year, and they’re all right on the beach, which is also just a three-minute walk from the ferry dock. You’ll enjoy both comfort and elegance at these deluxe properties. Located in Point Judith, which is part of Narragansett, the high-speed ferry can get you from the mainland to Block Island in about a half hour.
Where to Glamp in Rhode Island
Because of Rhode Island’s size, everywhere is a good place to go glamping. Nowhere in Rhode Island is more than an hour away from anywhere else in Rhode Island. The best places, though, are those near the world-famous Atlantic Ocean shore. It’s interesting to note that such a small place has nearly 400 miles of coastline because of all the inlets and peninsulas.
What to Bring When Glamping in Rhode Island
• In spring and summer, beach clothes, swimwear, and items for protection from the sun
• All applicable safety equipment for boating
• Food and beverages for both the RV and the kitchens in the glamping locations you visit
• Prepaid credit cards and/or traveler’s checks, both of which are easily replaced if they go missing
• In fall or winter, appropriate clothing for a cool vacation in New England
• Good hiking boots for exploring the forest trails
• Bedding for beds of different sizes
• All of the family’s medications and a laminated list of those medications
You can certainly enjoy all four seasons in Rhode Island. Springtime will give you great photographic chances with wildflowers in the state’s forests, and you can also take photos of many birds that fly along the well-established Atlantic migration routes. When it comes to the RV itself, many people rent one for convenience. You can turn to RVshare for rentals and browse through a large amount of information regarding parks, cities, points of interest, and tips and tricks for fun, safe RV vacations. Enjoy your trip and discover more camping options in Rhode Island.
