Offering a range of accommodations from airstream trailers to RV sites, Newport RV Park is centrally located among multiple attractions of Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island. The park can cater to outdoor enthusiasts, as the Melville Park Trail System adjoins the property; plus, there are a few on-site activities available to guests, including a dog park and a playground. According to Cameron May, the owner of the park, the campground is most commonly known for its spacious areas that allow it to accommodate larger rigs. Overall, the owner and her husband strive to create a welcoming and community-oriented atmosphere at the park in an effort to provide an experience that makes people want to return.
Newport RV Park is located on Aquidneck Island in the southeastern region of Rhode Island. The property offers 120 spaces for visitors to reserve, of which a mix of RV and primitive sites constitute the total. The establishment has both pull-through and back-in options available among their sites, and every RV spot is equipped with water, electric, and sewer hookups. Access to WiFi and cable are additional amenities that come with the RV sites, and it should be noted as well that picnic tables and fire rings are supplied for guests to utilize over the course of their stay. The owner of the park, Cameron May, mentions that the property is notable for having spacious areas that can cater to larger rigs. As such, she explains that the pull-through sites that have the capability of accommodating units of a larger size tend to be more popular among visitors. While the acreage is primarily composed of open land, a few sections of the grounds are wooded. The park also has Airbnb rentals on-site, including a cottage and airstream trailers. Cameron describes the latter as "completely modernized" units in their own separate section of the land. These accommodations are said to be comparatively more popular during the summer season.
Beyond the sites that patrons can occupy, a few facilities are provided throughout the premises as well. Guests are given access to bathhouses, propane refill stations, laundry facilities, a playground, a dog park, and multiple walking trails as part of the Melville Park Trail System that is reportedly attached to the park. An on-site store can also be found, which generally sells camping supplies, memorabilia, and grocery items for the convenience of those who are staying at the property.
Proceeding beyond the boundaries of Newport RV Park, one can find a number of beaches in the vicinity. Newport Beach and Second Beach are two particularly popular beaches, according to Cameron. Moreover, Newport RV Park is situated among a couple of prominent local universities, namely the U.S. Naval War College and Roger Williams University in Bristol. Another site that visitors can tour is the Rail Explorers, which is a historically significant railroad track that extends around the coast. Cameron says that these tracks are typically explored by bicyclists, and they can be found less than a mile from Newport RV Park. In addition, Bristol Bike Pass in Bristol County is located about a five-minute drive away. Considering the number of attractions around the property, the owner characterizes the park as "a basecamp for Newport on Aquidneck Island." For those who are curious about the nearby restaurants, oftentimes, Cameron recommends Anthony's Seafood in Middletown, Red Dory in Tiverton, and a seasonally open snack shack called Schultzy's.
Cameron May, the owner of Newport RV Park, emphasizes that the staff members aim to be "customer-focused to ensure that everyone has a good camping experience." Their goal is to help everyone feel welcome, and Cameron observes that guests tend to assist in achieving this, as she notices that many of those who stay at the property enjoy meeting other campers and creating a social atmosphere. She also believes that the campsites themselves, as well as the amenities that are included with them, add to the overall experience that the owner hopes to create at the establishment. In a further effort to express welcoming conduct toward patrons, a staff member accompanies guests to their sites upon arrival, and they try to maintain availability at the front desk area should campers have any questions or concerns during their stay. In a review, one former visitor mentioned the staff as well as other aspects of the property, saying, "Beautiful campground and helpful staff. Close to Newport, restaurants, and services. [The] bathrooms are great, heated, and have music!"
Cameron notes that nearly 85% of their business consists of transient campers. Generally speaking, however, she explains that the demographic of those who stay at Newport RV Park is a wide variety of individuals, with a considerable amount of retirees. A mix of first-timers and repeat guests have visited the property, as Cameron says that "people consider it a boutique RV park and enjoy coming back to it." While the establishment is open seasonally from April 15th to November 1st, the busiest time of operation typically takes place during Father's Day weekend, which Cameron attributes to the fact that kids are out of school at this time and "Newport is coming out of its sleepy winter."
Everyone should be aware of a few guidelines before and during their stay at Newport RV Park. Pets are allowed, although pet owners are expected to take sole responsibility for cleaning up after them and keeping them leashed at all times; dogs are not to be left unattended. Furthermore, contained campfires are permitted in the provided fire rings at each site. It should also be noted that quiet hours are implemented every night from 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. These previously listed policies intend to add to the safety and comfort of each patron's stay.
While the acreage of Newport RV Park is under the ownership of the town of Port Smith, Cameron May and her husband have a lease on the property that makes them the primary operators of the business. The establishment was formerly known as Melville Pond Campground, though aside from the name change, a number of updates have been made to the property over the course of its history. Cameron and her husband rehabbed every campsite, adding electric, water, and sewer hookups, as well as WiFi and cable. "Having 30- and 50-amp service is a huge deal for our campground," Cameron remarks. With regard to future plans that she and her husband have, Cameron says that they hope to "continue to add sites and focus on beautification." Since the time that she and her spouse first started their occupation at Newport RV Park, they have found that their favorite part of their job is "being in a tourist destination area with close proximity to attractions."
181 Bradford Ave
Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871
United States
Campground
Town of Port Smith
