Four State Campgrounds Open for the Season on Saturday, April 13, Coinciding with School Vacation Week

Published on Friday, April 12, 2024

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that four state campgrounds will open for the season on Saturday, April 13. This year’s opening of Burlingame, Charlestown Breachway, Fishermen’s Memorial, and George Washington Memorial State Campgrounds coincides with the beginning of spring school vacation week and the freshwater fishing season, giving families an extra opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the South County and northern Rhode Island countryside. East Beach State Campground is set to open for the season on Saturday, May 25. Campers can find their next adventure at a Rhode Island State Campground at: riparks.ri.gov/campgrounds. 

New this season, Fishermen’s Memorial Campground joins George Washington and Burlingame State Campgrounds in offering a pre-check-in process so campers can “Camp More, Wait Less” by speeding up their check-in on arrival and get to their site faster. When campers book their reservation through the Reserve America system, they will receive an email inviting them to pre-register before their trip. Pre-registration must be done no later than two days prior to campers’ arrival date.Campers needing a second car pass should select and pay for the pass up to one day before their registration. Pre-check-ins help our park staff better serve campers and has been in use at Burlingame State Campground since 2021 and George Washington State Campground since 2023. 

Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in Rhode Island with intense competition for the limited number of sites, which feature tent and RV camping in a "seaside village" atmosphere, complete with neatly trimmed grass, tree lined paths, and activities for the entire family, including basketball, tennis, horseshoe courts, and a children's playground. It also hosts a weekly RI Grown farmers market from May to October on Sundays from 8:30 AM to Noon. The campground is also close to several state beaches, including Scarborough, Roger Wheeler, and Salty Brine, and one mile to the Block Island Ferry Dock. Capital improvements are coming to Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground during the fall of the 2025 and 2026 camping seasons and include significant electrical grid upgrades to meet improvements in RV technology. Some campsites will be unavailable for reservations during the estimated construction timelines. These necessary upgrades are aimed at greatly enhancing camper enjoyment and comfort. 

DEM is continuing to recruit to fill a wide range of seasonal jobs for critical summertime positions like lifeguards, park rangers, visitor assistants, natural resource operations, and other key staff to work at state beaches, parks, and campgrounds during the busy outdoor recreation season. With only 52 full-time employees managing 22 major parks, eight surf beaches, and dozens of other properties, DEM’s Division of Parks and Recreation relies hugely on seasonal employees. Being active outside, building lifelong friendships with workmates, and serving our communities are some of the big benefits of spending the summer working with Rhode Island DEM. Hundreds of talented seasonal employees work hard each summer alongside our full-time staff to make it possible for millions of people to enjoy Rhode Island's beautiful natural places.

DEM is the state’s chief steward of Narragansett Bay and many other natural resources at the heart of Rhode Island's economy, culture, and environment. We manage thousands of acres of land, including management areas, parks, freshwater and saltwater beaches, campgrounds, bike paths, historic sites, picnic areas, trails, athletic fields, dams, fishing access, and boat ramps. This network attracts more than 9 million Rhode Islanders and tourists each year. It hosts high-profile national and international events such as the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals and the Ocean Race. They're also an engine that adds an estimated $300 million to the economy, nearly $40 million in state and local taxes, and supports nearly 4,000 jobs a year.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.