Hey there campers! Today, we’re sharing one of our all time favorite campgrounds – Fisherman’s Memorial State Park in Rhode Island. Imagine waking up to the gentle rustle of leaves, a soft breeze off the marsh, and the promise of a day filled with outdoor adventures. Fisherman’s Memorial is certainly the best campground in Rhode Island. With its lush landscapes and proximity to the shore, it beckons campers to trade the city lights for the soft glow of a campfire and the rhythmic lullaby of nature.
We aren’t the only ones who think this is the best campground in Rhode Island! Reservations fill up a year in advance, but we’ll share our tips to get in with you. Let’s dive into all the great reasons to camp at Fisherman’s Memorial State Park—a haven where the connection to nature is as palpable as the warmth of the campfire.
The History
During World War II, the land of Fisherman’s Memorial State Park was actually part of Fort Greene. The fort was a 270 acre defense facility. You can still see some bunkers throughout the paths of the campground! According to information around the campground, the farm style silo at the front of the property was originally to disguise the fort and mislead enemies! The state began purchasing parts of this land in the 1950s and eventually opened it up as a campground in the 1970’s. The name Fisherman’s Memorial was used to honor the large local commercial and sport fishing community in Narragansett.
The Campground
The campground at Fisherman’s Memorial State Park is absolutely stunning. Part of what makes it the best campground in Rhode Island is how well maintained it is. The gentle rolling hills are green and well manicured, and the campsites are always clean. The back part of the campground overlooks Bluff Hill Cove – a beautiful inlet lined with reeds and cattails, teaming with wildlife.
Also towards the back of the campground is a large hill and overlook point. This is the absolute best place to watch the beautiful sunsets as they come down over the cove. You’ll often find campers lining the hillside to watch the display.
Bath houses are scattered throughout the campground and available for use. These are always clean and well kept! You will need to bring quarters with you if you intend on using the showers. There are also playgrounds and basketball courts towards the front of the campground for campers to use.
The Campsites
Fisherman’s Memorial State Park campground is separated into a few areas with different amenities. Area 1 & 2 are specifically for RVs and have full hookups (water, electric & sewer). The Area 3 section is reserved for tent only camping, and does not have any hookups. Area 4 is for both RVs and tents but only has water and electric hook ups. If you’re camped here there is a dump station at the front of the grounds that campers can use at no charge!
I’ll start off by saying there are no bad sites at Fisherman’s. They are all relatively level and pull through which is a huge plus. The pull through area is paved, and long enough to keep your tow vehicle parked right in front of or behind your camper. Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit for your use.
We have been coming to Fisherman’s Memorial even longer than we’ve had our own RV! We used to come with my in-laws and pitch a tent on their campsite. Over the years we’ve scoped out most of the sites and have our favorites. Any site in Area 1 is great, but the ones along the outer loop are the best. You have a little more privacy since the sites face the cove, and a beautiful view. If you’re able to book a site numbered 70-79 those are the best!
How To Book
As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, it is very hard to get into Fisherman’s Memorial Campground. This is the best campground in Rhode Island and is typically booked out a year in advance. Since it’s a state park the rates are very affordable, and even lower for Rhode Island residents. The campground has a loyal following with folks who camp here every single summer.
If it’s so competitive how do we book a site there every year? There’s an art to it! And I’ll share our secrets. Fisherman’s Memorial uses Reserve America for their site booking. The sites open one year in advance, and you can book for a maximum of two weeks. The booking window opens at 8 AM est weekdays, and 9 AM est on weekends.
The key to getting a reservation is to be waiting on the website a few minutes before the booking window opens. If you can, have multiple people on the reservation page on different devices, so you have more chances of getting a site. You will be able to see what sites will be coming available that day before the window opens, so you can choose which one you want to go for.
About a minute before the window opens keep clicking the “book now” button to try to secure the reservation! At 8 or 9 AM you will receive a page that you’ve either gotten the reservation, or that it has already been booked by somebody else.
I know this sounds a little crazy, but I promise it’s worth the few hectic minutes to try to get a campsite here! You can also sign up for email alerts to be notified when new sites open up.
The other method here, is to try to book closer to your desired camping date by checking for cancellations. Since the booking process is so competitive a lot of people will book 2 weeks a year in advance to know they have it, then cancel some or all of their trip closer to the date.
The Location
Another great benefit of Fisherman’s is the location. Nestled in Point Judith, this campground is just minutes from all Narragansett has to offer. It’s just a short ten minute ride to Rhode Island beaches. There are several to choose from that offer ample parking and concession stands!
Fisherman’s is also a short drive to the Galilee area which is a fishing port that has some amazing eateries. Think fresh seafood, enjoyed on a deck that overlooks the incoming ferries. If you’re looking for things to do in the area check out our post about things to do near Narragansett!
Fisherman’s Memorial State Park has made it’s way into our regular rotation of campgrounds, and our hearts. It’s more than a campground; it’s a retreat into the heart of Rhode Island’s natural splendor. A place where the tales of local fishermen meet the laughter of families gathered around a campfire.
As the sun sets over the cove and the stars emerge to light the night, the memories created in this coastal oasis become a part of the park’s storied history. Until the next adventure unfolds, Fisherman’s Memorial State Park remains an enduring invitation to camp, connect, and cherish the timeless beauty of the great outdoors. We know once you camp here you’ll agree it’s the best campground in Rhode Island! Happy camping!
