Colt State Park RV & Campground Guide
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A lesser-known gem of Rhode Island, Colt State Park began as a gentleman’s farm owned by Samuel P. Colt, the nephew of Samuel Colt, a famous gun manufacturer. Colt willed that the farm stayed open to the public after his death, and after some alterations in the wake of vandalism, it became an official state park in 1968 and today offers free admission. Traces of the old farm remain if you know where to look, and the Coggeshall Farm Museum, a 1700s living history experience, is adjacent to Colt State Park. Located so close to the Atlantic, the area experiences the occasional storm, but the summers rarely leave the upper 70s, and in the winter, snow transforms the area into a winter wonderland.
Nearby Cities:
Bristol, RI
Portsmouth, RI
Fall River, MA
Warren, RI
Spring 34-63 F
Summer 62-79 F
Fall 42-72 F
Winter 27-43 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Colt State Park
Campground Accommodations
While the park has much to offer, it does not provide overnight accommodations or any kind of camping.
Melville Ponds Campground
Melville Ponds Campground is located on Aquidneck Island in Newport County near Portsmouth, Rhode Island. This campground, where rates start at about $51 per night, is close to Melville Upper Pond and the Portsmouth RI Dog Park.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other features: Close to stores and restaurants
Wawaloam Campground
The staff at Wawaloam Campground has been welcoming guests for over 50 years, and the property is still operated by the same family that opened it. Here, you can enjoy lots of campground activities, including crafts, dances, movie nights, and miniature golf. A special treat at this campground, where rates start at about $35, is the Saturday night fish suppers that feature fresh-caught fish.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other features: Pool with waterslide, crafts, miniature golf
Worden-Pond Family Campground
Worden-Pond Family Campground has been a family-operated campground for more than 50 years. Rates at this pond-side campground start at $50 per night. Seasonal camping and winter storage are available.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other features: Pond
What to Do at
Colt State Park
Colt State Park is open from sunrise to sunset year-round, and it offers plenty to fill those hours. The biggest draw is the bay. It offers miles of coastline, including a beach, stunning views, a fishing pier, and even an outdoor chapel overlooking the water. Although there aren’t rentals onsite, there are plenty in the immediate area, and the park offers multiple launch sites for boats and paddling vessels like kayaks. You don’t have to go into the water to enjoy it, either. Trails lead guests to the best vantage points for everything from birdwatching to photography, and the park’s history hides in the details, waiting for the curious to find them.
Inside Colt State Park
You may want to start your visit to Colt State Park with a visit to the on-site history museum. This park was originally privately owned by Samuel Colt, who ordered the construction of many of the walls that are still visible today. If you're planning a special event, consider reserving the open-air Chapel by the Sea. You can also play on 10 sports fields, have a picnic, ride bikes, and climb the observation tower when visiting this state park. The park is home to the oldest public fireworks show in America.
Fishing
The park borders Narragansett Bay and offers multiple saltwater fishing options. An accessible fishing pier keeps things simple, but the park also offers multiple launch sites for boats if you want to get away from the crowds. Shore fishing also draws plenty of fishing enthusiasts in the area.
Geocaching
The park is a fun place for geocaching, and an annual event called Farewell to Summer keeps new puzzles and challenges fresh. There are traditional caches, too, and all are marked as low-difficulty finds thanks to the easy terrain, making them fun starters for new fans of the hobby. Once you find a cache container you can take a prize and sign the logbook.
Nature Watching
This is a bird watcher’s paradise. Egrets and herons fish in the shallows, migratory species visit each year, and you never know what will swim by in the bay.
Flora and Fauna
The bay’s residents include flounder, sea bass, scup, striped bass, and bluefish. This waterfront park has many birds, too, ranging from gulls and ospreys to killdeer and sandpipers. Plants in landscaped areas include great trees like oaks and maples around wide lawns, but you’ll find interesting local flora like ghost pipes and chicory, too.
Hiking
The Colt State Park Loop is the main trail through the park. There are smaller paths intersecting the main loop, but this 5.3-mile trail showcases the best views over the water, essentially following the park’s perimeter. It’s a very easy hike suitable for all fitness levels and kids.
Boating
Boaters and paddlers enjoy several launches in the park. Guests must follow basic rules, including wearing lifejackets, and there is no swimming allowed from or near boats. It’s important to note that the bay’s proximity to the Atlantic also makes the water more challenging than a contained lake, and guests should pay attention to the forecast.
Swimming
The park allows swimming at its small beach, but water shoes are strongly recommended. Seasonal weather will also deter a dip in the autumn, winter, and early spring, so if getting in the water is key to your enjoyment, plan accordingly.
Biking
The Colt State Park Loop trail accommodates bikes as well as walkers and runners. It’s a very easy route with gentle hills and lots of excellent views.
How to Get to
Colt State Park
To reach Colt State Park from Providence, Rhode Island, take Interstate 195 East. Continue for about eight miles, and then take Exit 5 for MA-136 South toward Warren and Newport. Continue onto Market Street and turn left on Main Street, which turns into Hope Street. Turn right on Asylum Road, continue onto Colt State Park, and make a slight right to continue into the park. Follow that road to the seaside parking area, or turn left and head south for a parking lot closer to one of the park’s main pavilions.
Entering Colt State Park
Parking and admission are free.
Colt State Park Per person : $0.0
A seaside escape with wide lawns for kite-flying, hundreds of tables for picnicking, and excellent spots for saltwater fishing, Colt State Park has a corner for every traveler, whether they want to watch the birds, listen to the waves on the beach or explore a bit of history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colt State Park
The best time of year to visit depends on what you most want to do. While the weather is most comfortable from late spring to early autumn, Colt State Park offers winter activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
There are lots of seabirds. In addition to several types of gull, there are cormorants, ospreys, sandpipers, herons, egrets, and more. If you linger by the water, you may find crabs and salamanders. On the land, you may spot mammals like deer, raccoons, and even mink.
There are no RV camping spots at Colt State Park. However, there are plenty of campgrounds nearby where you can overnight.
Unfortunately, there are no camping spots at the park, but you do need reservations to use areas like picnic shelters, gazebos, and the Chapel by the Sea as a group if you visit with friends between the beginning of April and the end of October. The park management team requests you call or email directly if you need a reservation.
Colt State Park is pet-friendly and welcomes leashed pets. It’s important to note that you will need to bring your own pick-up bags and clean up after your animal as part of the park system’s Leave No Trace policy.