On our way to our next destination, we stopped in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to do some laundry at a laundromat because we had not been to a campground that had laundry facilities in a while. While Pat started the laundry, Tim drove to a nearby grocery store, then a wine store. When Tim was returning to the laundromat, it started to rain hard. When we got back into the RV to continue our drive, we encountered a big storm. Water leaked in through what we know is a small hole at the top of where the windshield connects to the cab, on the driver’s window, and between the slideout and the wall. The roads began to fill with water and Tim had to drive carefully so as not to hydroplane.
When we finally arrived at our destination, we only set up our electricity quickly (we did not hook up to water or sewer) and didn’t put the slide out until the rain slowed. Our destination was Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground in Narragansett, Rhode Island, a much sought-after campground that we woke up extra early to book exactly one year before our visit. Fishermen’s is the ninth state park we have stayed in since we started full-time RV traveling. Our RV site was asphalt with a picnic table and a fire pit (no grill). It was also a pull-through site, which was nice (90% of our RV sites are back-in sites).
The next day, we finally hooked up to water and sewer, but couldn’t get good water pressure so we decided to use the fresh water tank instead (which meant refilling it a few times since we were there for seven nights). Tim climbed to the roof of the RV to clean out the air conditioner drain to see if that was what was causing the small water leaks on the bathroom floor (it wasn’t).
Having a full week to stay at one campground is a luxury because we have more time to relax and just be retired. So, for the first few days at Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground, we took it easy and relaxed. Tim had some committee meetings and Pat made future RV site reservations. We both took walks around the campground, to an adjacent trail through the woods, and to an overlook nearby.
One of the nice things that stood out about the campground was that it was full of rabbits; we constantly had rabbits around the RV, which we enjoyed. The not so pleasant thing is that there were many mosquitos and gnats. Every time we opened the door more of them came inside the RV. It would take us some time to get rid of all the gnats.
On our third full day at Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground, we took a city bus to the ferry terminal at Point Judith to take the ferry to Block Island. The bus stop was about a five-minute walk from the entrance to the campground, cost $2.50 for a one-way ride, and was only about a 15-minute ride to the ferry terminal.
Block Island is a popular summer tourist destination known for its bicycling, hiking, sailing, fishing, and beaches. It is home to several historic lighthouses. The ferry cost about $22 each for a round trip, took approximately 45 minutes each way, and gave us a great view of Block Island as we approached.
Once on Block Island, we ate lunch at the National Hotel. Tim had a lobster roll and Pat had fish and chips; we both shared clam chowder for an appetizer. After lunch, we walked about two miles (40 minutes) up hills to the historic Southeast Lighthouse, where we toured the museum and grounds. The lighthouse was built in 1874, with the first lamp lit on February 1, 1875. The main tower is 67 feet in height, with an octagonal granite foundation and brick exterior. Because of ongoing erosion of the bluffs, in 1993 the entire 2,000-ton structure was moved about 300 feet back from the cliffs. The museum provided details on this extraordinary move, complete with pictures and eyewitness accounts.
The following day, Tim took the bus into town to pick up some prescriptions from Walgreens; about a 20-minute bus ride. On our last full day at Fishermen’s Memorial, we again took the bus to the ferry terminal at Point Judith and had drinks at the George's Tiki Bar located on the beach.
Then, we had dinner at George’s of Galilee restaurant, where we were seated at a table with a beautiful view just as the sun was setting. Tim enjoyed local bass, while Pat had the local cod.
We missed the last bus back to the campground, so we walked approximately 30 minutes back to the campground trying to avoid the mosquitos as much as possible.
Review of Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground
Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground in Narragansett, Rhode Island, is tucked back off from the main highway and filled with tree-lined paths. Our particular RV site did not have any tree cover, but we were next to a lot of lush vegetation that attracted the many rabbits that live at the campground. There are approximately 182 sites for RVs or tents at the campground: approximately 105 with full hookups, 41 with just electric and water hookups, and 34 with no hookups. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit (no grill). Amenities include a playground, a viewing platform, walking paths, and bathroom/shower facilities. There are no laundry facilities.
The campground is located close to state beaches and one mile from the ferry to Block Island. Additionally, the campground is approximately a 15-minute drive to scenic Newport. We liked that there was a bus stop located nearby that could take us to the beaches, ferry, and into town for groceries and restaurants.
The drawbacks were the mosquitos and gnats, but we don’t know if that is a constant at the campground or if we were just there at the wrong time. It isn’t likely that we would come back to this area of Rhode Island, but if we did, we would consider staying at Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground again.
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