RV Rental Rhode Island, RI

RV Rental Rhode Island: Motorhome, Camper, & Trailer Rentals RI

Are you ready to explore the smallest state in the nation? Rhode Island may be small, but it’s impressive when it comes to its number of attractions and parks. An RV rental in Rhode Island is the perfect way to make your way across the state and see everything it has to offer. 

Park your camper and tour the mansions from the Gilded Age to see how the richest of the rich once lived. Then make your way to the coastal edge and experience some of the country’s most beautiful lighthouses. 

Time your visit during the summer to enjoy beautiful weather and some of the state’s biggest festivals and events. As you will see in our guide below, Rhode Island RV rentals are the best way to explore what this tiny but mighty state has within its borders. 

Popular RV Destinations in Rhode Island  

The Breakers, Newport

Of all of the mansions in Newport, this one is the showiest and the most well-known. This Gilded Age mansion was one of the many homes owned by the Vanderbilts. Business magnet Cornelius Vanderbilt built this home in 1895. 

This Italian Renaissance-inspired summer “cottage” has 70 rooms, including a three-story grand dining room. French and Italian marble and alabaster were imported to get just the right look,  and each room is lavishly and ostentatiously designed and decorated. You’ll see stunning mosaics, marble columns, ceiling paintings, carved stucco, and fine wood paneling. 

Be sure to make your way to the carriage house about a half-mile from the home. It’s 100 feet deep and 150 feet wide. There you can see how the horses were cared for and the carriages were kept. 

The Elms, Newport

In 1901, a Philadelphia coal magnet named Edward Berwind finished the work on his mansion inspired by the mid-18th century Château d'Asnière in Paris. The Elms was his summer home. It stayed as a family-owned home until the 1960s. 

The Preservation Society of Newport County saved the structure by purchasing it just weeks before it was set to be demolished. It’s furnished with Venetian paintings and French antiques. 

You can tour this beautiful home and the surrounding Classical Revival gardens, lower gardens, sunken gardens, feature fountains, and marble pavilions. It’ll take you about an hour or two to walk through the home. For a special experience, take the Rooftop/Behind-the-Scenes Tour. 

WaterFire Providence

Located in the heart of Downcity Providence is a four-acre riverwalk called Waterplace Park and Riverwalk. It borders the Woonasquatucket River, and several times throughout the year, the city celebrates the river. 

Officials light more than 100 bonfires in large iron pans along the river center. The fires blaze well into the evening, giving residents and tourists a chance to stroll along the riverbanks and bridges. This unique spectacle is interesting to observe. 

There are also several vendors, musicians, and street performers along the walk. This is a family-friendly event, so bring the kids along. You’ll find several RV parks located in downtown Providence. This makes it easy for you to stay right near downtown within walking distance of the river. 

Events and Entertainment in Rhode Island 

Bristol Fourth of July

While every city across America hosts its own Fourth of July celebration, few compare to the events that occur in Bristol. The first celebration took place in 1785, and festivities have taken place every year since. This makes it the longest-running celebration in the country. 

The events also last for the longest period of time each year (two full weeks). The celebration includes golf, tennis, corn hole tournaments, wine tasting, beauty pageants, concerts, bugle and drum competitions, and an orange crate derby. Plus, there’s a parade and fireworks show on the big day. 

Be sure to grab a few souvenirs while there to commemorate your trip. There are hats, shirts, jackets, and more. 

Newport Flower Show 

Visit the Rosecliff mansion in June to see exquisite displays of flowers and greenery. Hosted by one of the area’s most well-known Gilded-Age mansions, this flower show is an annual celebration of all things horticultural.

There are demonstrations, a marketplace for shopping, and brunch. This three-day event opens with a festival party where you can enjoy some beautiful views and several delicious food stations. 

Throughout the event, there are colorful floral displays, a horticultural competition, lectures, demonstrations, and garden displays. When you’re ready for a break, you can sit down for some afternoon tea.  

The event finishes off with a champagne and jazz brunch. Note: If you want to participate, you’ll need to buy tickets in advance. 

Grecian Festival

For over 90 years, the local Greek Orthodox community has been coming together for the celebration hosted by the Assumption of the Virgin Mary church in Pawtucket. This festival features over 900 pounds of lamb and 4,000 stuffed grape leaves. In addition to the delicious food, there are Greek dancers, indoor and outdoor marketplaces, and several kids’ activities. 

You can try all of the Greek favorites, including lamb shank, roasted chicken, gyros, and souvlaki. And don’t forget to taste some of the most delicious desserts around. 

At the markets, you’ll find Greek-themed items and local crafts. Popular booths offer fashion accessories, giftware, jewelry, religious items, hats, scarves, and much, much more. 

Other activities you can partake in are face painting, rock climbing, and baking demonstrations. 

Campgrounds and Parks in Rhode Island 

Charlestown Breachway State Beach

Located in southern Rhode Island near Block Island Sound is this beautiful RV campground. It provides stunning views of the water in every direction you look. It’s also near several attractions, including the East Beach, Point Judith Light, and Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.

The stunning location makes up for the campground’s lack of amenities. There’s no electricity, sewer, or water hookups at the sites. But you will be just steps away from saltwater fishing, shellfishing, boating, and swimming. 

If you decide to stay here, you need to have an RV or motorhome that is self-contained. It needs to have holding tanks for potable, grey, and black water. 

Wawaloam Campground

Sprawling across 100 acres is this campground featuring rural farmland and a fishing pond. It’s also incredibly close to some of the popular attractions of the state, including the city of Newport, Wickford Village, and Block Island. 

This campground goes above and beyond to make its guests feel welcome. It hosts themed weekends, banquets, and dog shows. There are also several first-class amenities to make your stay more comfortable. 

Your family will love the 4,000-square-foot splash park, mini-golf, fishing pond, swimming pool, and convenience store. You can sit back, relax, and let your family have fun. There’s also security at the campground that includes a security gate. 

You can choose to be at a family-friendly or adult-only site. There are also sites that offer full hookups or just water and electricity. There is a dump station on site as well. 

Whispering Pines Campground

In the town of Hope Valley is the Whispering Pines Campground nestled nicely on 50 acres. It’s only 20 minutes from the beach and Roger Williams Park and Zoo, Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, Tennis Hall of Fame, and Quonset Air Museum. 

This campground lets you escape the daily grind of life and allows you to relax. The quietness of the surrounding pine forest makes this a peaceful and picturesque place. The many amenities will make your stay a comfortable and memorable one. 

Enjoy the fishing pond, barrel train, mini-golf, dog park, camp store, and swimming pool. There are also several events that the campground hosts, such as a chili cook-off, Halloween festivals, and soup parties. 

The RV and trailer sites feature full hookups. There’s a laundry facility, hot showers, propane filling station, and dump station on site. 

RV Storage and Dumpstations in Rhode Island 

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country, but that doesn’t mean it lacks facilities. There’s a lot to see, and it’s nice to know you can comfortably spend your time traveling across the state with plenty of dumping stations at your disposal. It’s best to call ahead to confirm the hours and fees. 

• Second Beach Family Campground, Middletown
• Arlington RV Supercenter, East Greenwich
• Timber Creek RV Resort, Westerly

When you’re ready to get off the road and rest, you need a place to store your RV. Luckily, there are plenty of storage facilities in Rhode Island. They can keep your RV, trailer, or motorhome safe from the elements while you plan your next trip. 

• Space Station Self Storage, East Providence
• Cornerstone Self Storage, Westerly
• Trestle Park Self Storage, Westerly

FAQs

1. What are RV rentals?

An RV rental in Rhode Island lets you see more of the state by driving through it. You can travel to several attractions while staying in your motorhome or camper. The best part is your vehicle is ready to go when you are. Renting means you get to have fun without having to deal with the cost and maintenance of ownership. 

2. How much are RV rentals?

Motorhome rentals in Rhode Island vary in price depending on what you’re looking for. A small trailer or campervan can be anywhere from $75 to $150 per night. If you need something larger like a motorhome, then the price will increase to $100 to $250 per night. Keep in mind that the longer you rent the vehicle, the lower the nightly cost will be. 

3. Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Rhode Island?

You need to be at least 25 years old to rent an RV, trailer, camper, or motorhome. This is mainly due to insurance reasons. If you aren’t old enough, you may still find an owner willing to rent to you, but you should expect to pay an additional deposit. 

4. Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

You should always have insurance coverage when renting a vehicle. This will protect you from any damage that happens while you’re renting your RV. You may have insurance included in your rental, or you may have to purchase a separate policy. 

5. Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

It’s good practice to fill the gas tank of your rental before you return it. Check with the owners of your RV to find out what their preference and policies are. Some may want you to fill the tank. Others may fill the tank for you and include it in your rental fee. 

6. Are RVs pet-friendly in Rhode Island?

There are several RV owners that welcome pets, but you need to check with the owner. Many owners require you to pay a pet deposit. 

7. Are there RV rentals with unlimited mileage?

Some RV owners offer unlimited mileage. There are other owners that will let you drive a set number of miles, and then you pay by the miles for any distance you drive over that agreed mileage limit. 

8. How many people can sleep in an RV?

You can find a trailer, camper, RV, or motorhome that comfortably sleeps your entire party. If there are two to four people, then a small trailer or camper will work. If there are four to six people, then you’ll want a mid-sized RV or motorhome. For large parties of eight to 10 people, you’ll want a full-sized motorhome.