Beavertail State Park RV & Campground Guide
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With the Beavertail Aquarium, Beavertail State Park offers science education through its Beavertail Naturalist Program. You and your family can learn about many species and varieties of animals, plants, and prominent geological formations in Rhode Island. The family-friendly program is also available to large groups. The program also focuses on conservation and takes place at the Beavertail Aquarium. You can also fish from the rocks and beaches set into various coves, and climbing to the top of the lighthouse is a popular activity for adults and older children over 4 feet tall. Nearby Cities: •Newport, RI •Boston, MA •Norwich, CT •Fall River, MA
Spring 46-64 F
Summer 73-78 F
Fall 53-71 F
Winter 23-42 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Beavertail State Park
Beavertail State Park does not have any camping accommodations.
Fort Getty Park
Situated less than four miles north of Beavertail State Park, Fort Getty Park is the closest campground. This is a lovely spot for a longer trip; the city, which runs the campground, requires a minimum two-week stay. Within walking distance of your campsite, you'll find a beautiful beach, boat ramp, and a convenient dock for fishing. Head over to the Kit Wright Trail to explore the local forest and shoreline and watch for wildlife from the observation platform. Rates start at $50 per night for RVs.
Paradise Park RV Campground
Enjoy your RV rental to the fullest at Paradise Park RV Campground, which offers full hookups and free Wi-Fi. Set into a beautiful green area with trees for shade, Paradise Park is quiet and peaceful. Keep in mind that since there are no bathrooms or showers, self-contained units are a must. Rates start at $75 per night with a two-night minimum stay.
Melville Ponds Campground
If you're looking for a campground that you'll look forward to returning to each day, book a site at Melville Ponds Campground. Set on picturesque Aquidneck Island, this beautiful spot offers water views, shaded sites, and plenty of space. Enjoy a campfire in your private fire ring, grab a snack from the camp store, and get online using the Wi-Fi network. Inside the park, you'll find hiking trails, basketball and volleyball courts and plenty of places to fish. The hot showers are a welcome treat after a day of fun, and the dump station makes it easy to get ready for the road. All back-in and pull-through sites offer full hookups and cable TV. Rates start at $51 in the low season and $80 during the summer.
Fishermen's Memorial State Park Campground
Enjoy the sea air at Fishermen's Memorial State Park Campground, which is located across the inlet from Beavertail State Park. Within the campground, you'll find everything you need for a comfortable family camping trip, including a playground, roomy sites, and plenty of trees. The beach is less than a mile away. RV sites here offer full hookups; choose from pull-through and back-in sites. Rates start at $28 per night.
What to Do at
Beavertail State Park
After an exciting science class at the Aquarium, you can relax in Beavertail State Park with a picnic lunch. Take a hike around the park's 153 acres with the whole family. The area is popular with photographers, too. You can snap photos of not only the birds and other wildlife but also the rocky coast, ocean, and sailing vessels in Narragansett Bay. Of course, the surf fishing is fantastic as well.
Inside Beavertail State Park
Once you arrive at Beavertail State Park, head straight for the four overlook points for the best ocean views in the area. If you're feeling energetic, scramble over the rocky coastline or explore the hiking trails. After the tide goes out, head down to find a tide pool and check out the creatures swimming under the surface. If you're interested in fishing, bring saltwater gear and cast off from the shore. While you're in the park, the historic lighthouse museum is worth a visit.
Fishing
You can chase striped bass, Boston bluefish, and bonito. Very rarely, small albacore will venture into the area as well. If you fish the rocks, wear shoes with studded soles. The rocks get very slippery. If the surf is choppy, be extra-careful, and never fish at night.
Geocaching
The caches in Beavertail State Park are Earthcaches, meaning there is no container for them. They have to do with the fossils and geology of the area, and some of the fossils there date from the Cambrian Period about 600 million years ago.
Stargazing
Because of its location right on the coast, Beavertail State Park provides great astrophotography opportunities. The lighthouse makes a good contrast to the darkness of the night sky.
Flora and Fauna
Birds are the most common fauna at Beavertail State Park. Many species migrate through the park on their way south for the winter. These include gulls, geese, ducks, and songbirds like wrens, sparrows, finches, and even mockingbirds. The plaintive call of mourning doves will serenade you during your visit, too. When it comes to flora, the colorful spring and summer wildflowers that bloom in Beavertail State Park include loosestrife, mullein, and staghorn sumac.
Hiking
The single hiking trail in Beavertail State Park is the Beavertail Lighthouse Loop. It's an easy 2.3 miles long and popular for hiking and jogging. You can bring your dogs for the hike if you clean up their messes. Remember to keep your dogs on leashes that are no more than 6 feet long.
Boating
The United States' 132-year run of holding the America's Cup was integral to the sailing culture of nearby Newport. That's why Beavertail State Park is so popular with boaters. There is a large boat ramp where you can set sail or even put your powerboat in the water. Narragansett Bay and the North Atlantic beyond are great places for day sailing or for setting forth on longer voyages.
Swimming
The swimming at Beavertail State Park is at various small coves you can access off the hiking trail. There are no lifeguards, and the currents can be tricky. Therefore, swimming in groups and staying fairly close to shore is best. For the North Atlantic, the water is surprisingly warm during the summer, rising to more than 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Get to
Beavertail State Park
From Boston, the best way to get to Beavertail State Park is to take Route 95 to Providence and exit onto Route 4. Proceed south on Route 4 until it merges with Route 1. Follow Route 1 south a short distance until you reach Route 138. Take Route 138 east across the Jamestown-Verrazano Bridge. Then, exit onto North Road. Proceed south on North Road through Jamestown. Turn southwest onto Southwest Avenue and follow it to Beavertail Road. Proceed south on Beavertail Road to Beavertail State Park. From Fall River or other points east, proceed southwest on Route 24, the Fall River Expressway. Cross the Expressway Bridge, and drive south-southwest until you merge with Route 114. Continue south-southwest along Route 114, West Main Road, until you reach Admiral Kalbfus Road. Turn east on Admiral Kalbfus Road to the Roundabout. From the Roundabout, take JT Connell Highway south to Route 138. Proceed west on Route 138 and cross the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge. Exit at East Shore Road. Follow East Shore Road south to Conanicus Avenue. Drive south on Conanicus Avenue into Jamestown. Turn west on Narragansett Avenue. When you reach the intersection of North Road and Southwest Avenue, turn southwest onto Southwest Avenue. Proceed to Beavertail Road. Turn onto Beavertail Road and follow it to Beavertail State Park.
Entering Beavertail State Park
Parking is free at Beavertail State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beavertail State Park
The best time to visit Beavertail State Park is in the summer. That's when the water is warm, and the birds are plentiful.
In addition to the birds, you will see deer in Beavertail State Park. Bats sometimes fly overhead.
No RV camping accommodations are in Beavertail State Park. Nearby options include Fort Getty Park, Paradise Park RV Campground, Melville Ponds Campground, and Fishermen's Memorial State Park Campground.
No reservations are available within Beavertail State Park. Camping options outside of the park accept reservations. Parking within the state park is free.
Yes, you may bring your pets to Beavertail State Park. They must be leashed at no more than 6 feet, and you must clean up after them.