Charlestown Breachway State Park

Rhode Island resident here…Charlestown Breachway normally I would give you 5 stars but lately more like 1 star…

Whenever it is beach season, I ALWAYS drive down to Charlestown Breach-way and usually get there a little early. When I do get there early there is a big sign that says something to the degree of “No waiting, turn around”. I obey the signage (as you should) if I arrive early, I just come back when the gates open at 8:30a (on weekends). Today I had planned a nice beach day with my mother, brother and nephew (My nephew has never been to the beach). We left our houses at 7:35a with the drive being about 55mins. I arrived a little earlier than my mother, brother and nephew at 8:28a expecting to have to turn around and come back because I know there’s a sign tells you not to wait. When I arrive there is an extremely long line already. My mother was only about 5 cars behind me, and only I was able get one of the last parking spots and my mother had to turn around and leave with my nephew and brother because there were no more spots. Due to them leaving, I left as well because our beach day was ruined. Are Rhode Island state park employees not enforcing signage? If a sign says no waiting why are you allowing cars to wait starting at 8:00a? If they can’t read then make them turn around and come back. For people who time themselves to get there on time for when the gates open, it is not fair. If you’re not going to enforce the sign then don’t leave it out. Next time I’m going to leave my house at 4:45a and get there for 5:40a and park my car at the entrance and I better not hear a single “sir you can’t wait here”…. DO YOUR JOBS! My only day off during the week and only beach day I planned so far and it was a waste.

--TOP TEN TIPS--

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YES, there are dogs in my photos.  And YES, animals are not allowed at the Charleston Breachway.  Before someone launches off the deep end because of this, my dogs are service dogs.  And before you think you might simply bring Fido and tell them at the gate that he or she is a service dog, know that you have to fill out and sign paperwork.  And know that passing off your dog as a service dog when they are not is a civil violation, punishable by up to 30 hours of community service with an organization that serves individuals with disabilities. You should also know that just claiming your dog is a service dog is not a free pass.  Their behavior needs to be impeccable.  IMPECABBLE.  And if it is not, any business can ask you to get leave.

OK, now that that is out of the way, here are my top ten tips

1. If you have a pull-behind camper, Site 58 is the best site, followed by sites 59-74, 57, then any site on the end of a row. If you have a Class C then Site 74 may be better than Site 58 (just park nose in).  Sites 58-74 are on the water so although you are crammed like sardines, you can sit on the water and appreciate the space.  The sun sets in this direction so you can get a nice sunset from your spot.  Although Site 58 is on the end, and there is greenery in front of you, be prepared for no end to foot traffic and because the sites are so small it feels like people are walking through Site 58 even though they are not.

2. You are essentially camping in a parking lot.  A tight parking lot.

3. There is a daily use lot RIGHT NEXT to the campground (RV Parking Lot).  Notice I wrote DAILY use and not DAY use.  People can park in this lot in the middle of the night and go fishing right next to your "campsite" (and remember how I said it FEELS like people were walking through your site?  It FEELS like people are fishing from your campsite even though they are not.  There were people drinking -- I mean fishing -- at 3 o'clock in the morning when I was there).

4. The park is staffed for 2 of 3 shifts.  It IS NOT staffed overnight.  And the daily-use lot is not gated (nor is the "campground" parking lot).  It really is like parking at Walmart.  Except there are no parking lot lights to contain mischief.

5. Lock down your stuff.  They have had thefts - mainly coolers - kids looking for your liquor. However, I would still recommend that you lock your vehicle and chain up your generators.  (You can get a 30 ft. x 3/8 in. Braided Steel Security Cable at Harbor Freight for fourteen bucks - just thread it through everything you have outside and lock it with a combination lock, which you can also get for about thirteen bucks.  You will sleep more soundly).

6. Be prepared for sand everywhere.  PS - You will get sand everywhere, and I mean everywhere.  If you don't bring it in on your shoes, the wind will blow it in.  Leave your carpets at home.  Bring a swiffer in addition to a broom (and some of those swiffer wet things)  You will be glad you did - nothing is worse than sand in your bed.

7. Cell Service is spectacular.  Antenna TV is OK.  I brought a ryobi battery inverter and easily got two hours of TV without the generator.

8. The approach is a narrow-ish sandy gravel road with potholes.  If this is your first time, don't worry (like I did) that you have somehow missed the Breachway and will end up with no place to turn around.

9.  Although everyone has a generator and they are running from 8 am - 8 pm, they are not loud.  I think it's the ocean waves or the wind or the open space.  It is not like staying in a campground in the woods where you can hear the crickets at night.

10. Relax - the beach is awesome - especially once you walk away from the main parking lot - hardly any people.  It is a 1 3/4 mile walk one way (roughly).  Fish - fishing is spectacular.  YOU DO NEED A SALTWATER FISHING LICENSE.  But if you already have one for New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine -- they are reciprocal.