The three largest cities in Rhode Island sit within 10 miles of each other along the Narragansett Bay. Providence, the largest city, is the northernmost, seated at the mouth of the Providence River at the head of the bay. Cranston, the second-largest city, is only a five-mile drive south of Providence. Warwick, the third-largest city, is 10 miles south of Providence.
Starting at $75 per night, the towed travel trailer is the preferred RV rental in Rhode Island. According to reviews by renters, these self-contained units provide the comfort of home for campers in the wild. Typically, they include kitchen appliances, furniture, and sleeping spaces for two to ten people.
The second most-often rented RV by Rhode Islanders is the Class C Motorhome. These units are going for as low as $159 per day. Reviews for these units are incredibly favorable. The Class C Motorhome is a self-propelled unit with all the appliances and furniture necessary for a comfortable camping experience.
The third most preferred RV is the Class A Motorhome. It is much like the Class C Motorhome but is much larger, with more power, amenities, and luxury. They always get rave reviews. The cost for these units begins at $200 per night.
Providence, RI, began as a thriving business community handling goods from Europe and beyond. During the 1800s, Providence was the first to create an industrial economy and it grew dominant in the textile, machine tooling, jewelry, and silverware industries. In the 2000s, the city adopted a new economic foundation becoming a significant service center for much of the Northeast. Visitors find an impressive array of amenities in this city, including:
500+ Restaurants
100 Gas Stations
10+ Campgrounds
10+ Nearby State Parks
7 Nearby Dump Stations
Cranston is about two miles inland from Narragansett Bay. It was purchased from the local Native American tribe to serve as a surplus farming community to supply the area with crops. It was lightly populated until 1900 when Italian immigrants found a haven in the community. Other ethnic groups followed, bringing energetic and dedicated people. The rich diversity led to an impressive array of restaurants, such as The Spain Restaurant and Antonio's Trattoria.
Warwick began as a trade depot, accepting shipping from Europe and carting it into the state's interior and beyond into Massachusetts. Today, Warwick provides an excellent shopping experience for visitors looking for gifts and antiques in quaint shops like the TigerEye Gift Shop and Petals, where unique gifts line the shelves.
Take a short drive south out of Warwick to visit the Beavertail State Park. Sitting at the outlet of Narragansett Bay, this park has historical significance as a guard against invasion during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and WWII. The park includes 64 acres of Conanicut Island, an island of solid rock jutting into the Atlantic. Panoramic views of the Rhode Island coastline, Narragansett Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean add texture to your visit. Sunrises are some of the most spectacular found on the eastern seaboard. Anglers spend hours trying their luck at this point, and during low tide, tidal pools become the home of many fascinating marine creatures.
Located 24 miles south of Warwick on the shores of Narragansett Bay, Fort Wetherill State Park provides a unique peek into the military occupation of the area during WWI and WWII. Gun emplacements and concrete bunkers protecting the entrance to the bay are still standing amongst the granite rocks. Mile-long hiking trails lead to positions along the craggy coastline, where fishers find excellent spots to engage in spearfishing. Rock climbers flock to this park to accept the challenge of climbing the precarious cliffs.
Take a look at the farm communities of Rhode Island with a visit to Snake Den State Park. Located about nine miles west of Providence, this park is situated on an old farm that is still running, producing fresh crops for local restaurants. The park is intentionally undeveloped, leaving the farm in the same condition as during the 18th and 19th centuries. Hikers take trails that run past the rustic Dame Farm and into the pristine woods to cross babbling brooks and past small lakes amongst stands of trees.
Though the intense urban strictures and land use regulations inside the Providence/Cranston/Warwick area make it impossible for RV parks and campgrounds to exist, these facilities are available within an easy drive of the city centers. Ginny-B Campground is one of the favorites for Rhode Islanders and visitors. The campground reserves 75 of its 225 sites for temporary visitors, ten of which have gravel pads and are grass. The woods of Foster, RI, provide plenty of shade, and anglers find an impressive variety of fish in its waters. The campground is adjacent to an 18-hole golf course and has two softball diamonds, a basketball court, a volleyball court, and a playground inside its borders.
Also in the Foster area is the Whippoorwill Family Camping facility. This campground occupies a swath of acres hidden away amongst a forest of trees. Visitors enjoy the rustic feel of this park, where all 150 sites enjoy full hookups with 30-amp electric service. There is a swimming pond and an 18-hole mini-golf course making this one of the favorites for kids.
RV campers who seek the salt air along the Narragansett Bay find a welcome amongst the 100 tree-shaded sites at the Melville Pond Campground. These sites accommodate the largest rigs. Each campsite offers a full hookup with a choice of 30-amp or 50-amp service. Cable TV and WiFi elevate the standards for this campground above rustic and well into modern. Restrooms, showers, a laundry facility, and a camp store allow visitors to extend their stay.
Take the time while planning your RV trip through Rhode Island to consider the location of dump stations. Dump stations allow you to empty your waste tanks and to load up with potable water for drinking and cooking and non-potable water for the shower and the dishwasher. Rhode Island RV parks and campgrounds have these facilities. However, there are times when you are not in a park and need to use a dump station. To find where you can clean your waste tanks and fill your water containers outside an RV park, check out this list of dump stations in Rhode Island.
A free event full of music, fun, and surprises is the Say Goodbye to Summer Festival in North Kingstown, a community 17 miles south of Warwick on the shores of Narragansett Bay. This family-oriented annual event features a parade with floats and marching bands, food trucks that line the streets, and visiting carnivals add to the fun.
For a great family activity inside of Providence, try the annual RI Walks Challenge Creatures. Not only is this event great fun for the family, but it also gets visitors acquainted with Providence. The challenge is finding the images of creatures on trees, buildings, and museums displayed throughout the city.
Kids and adults love the upcoming Cranston Greek Festival. This event is an authentic reproduction of festivals developed by Greeks through the ages. Along with the Greek food, visitors enjoy art pieces on Greek culture and dancers performing to Greek music.
The breathtaking beauty that inspired the birth of Rhode Island is enhanced by many of the structures that humans erected here. As noted on the Rhode Island list of landmarks, the International Tennis Hall of Fame draws as many visitors for its architectural beauty and style as for the subject matter. Located in Newport, RI, this facility includes a museum and several indoor and outdoor tennis courts.
The Breakers, located in Newport, RI, is a landmark of a former age. Constructed in the 1800s during the Gilded Age, this mansion was the summer home of the Vanderbilt family. Today, the estate and its grounds are a National Historic Landmark.
Not far from The Breakers is Rhode Island's famous Cliff Walk. This pathway runs along the cliffs above the waves striking Aquidneck Island, providing hikers with magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean and rocky shores. Birds, wildlife, and crashing waves leave visitors with memories that last a lifetime. The trail is listed on the National Recreation Trails and part of a National Historic District.
On average expect to pay $192 per night in Rhode Island.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Rhode Island?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Rhode Island from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Rhode Island?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
Do you need a special license to drive an RV in Rhode Island?No. You don’t need a special license or CDL to drive an RV in Rhode Island.