Fort Getty Recreational Area

CAMPING — Figuring the location with the spectacular views of the water and serenity of this place along with the beauty of the Jamestown area this place was awesome. With everything there’s a catch though, definitely not a place for camping with a tent, when we were here in May, there was a constant strong wind off the water which dropped the temp 10 degrees, overnight there was a storm which collapsed the tents I’d seen set up across from my site. Yet for RV’s it’s awesome… being so close to Newport gives you early access which allows you street metered parking to beat the long traffic jams and busy ped traffic.
Jamestown is mostly flat with quiet roads which make it great for cycling, incredible views of the seashore with rolling hills makes this a place we’re coming back again to.
The dump site is at the entrance of the park which does make it a challenge if your pulling or towing a portable black tank. Given the plus’ though it’s not a big deal.

This review is just about a trip here and not camping to take that into effect. It’s a nice little fort with some history to it. Interesting to see old parts of it and bunkers still intact. Can clearly pic how it would-​be if back in time. Great views of the many different boats and watching people wind surfing. Nice place for a picnic to or just to catch some sun.

Great location, but unhappy with the way it is run. We were charged for two campsites for our two two-​person tents while the single campsite next door had three giant tents. Not to mention that morning quiet hours were completely ignored by adults and children alike.

We’re a bit conflicted on how to review this place. There are definitely several PROS and CONS here.
PROS:
~ the cheapest half-​decent way to stay near Newport, RI (without knowing somebody who has a house)
~ very quite
~ grassy fields for tent camping means good night sleep
~ only 10 – 15 minutes to downtown Newport
~ only $ 25/​night for 2 people in 2013
~ you can bring your boat
CONS:
~ the bathrooms probably needed renovations about 20 years ago; they are way overdue
~ zero privacy for tent-​campers (everybody camps next to each other in open fields)
~ $ 8 in tolls each time you go to Newport and back ($ 4 toll each way)
~ beaches/​shoreline here aren’t really attractive
OVERALL — we wouldn’t stay here again, despite the fact that it’s cheap and relatively close to Newport. It’s too ugly for our taste and we prefer more privacy when we tent-​camp.

A fort
that has
been here
forever
Fort Getty is located on the east side of Jamestown and has a long history as a real fort. In world war I and II in was used as an observational station to watch for German subs and it served as a reeducational center for German prisoners of war. Remains of the old bunkers and odd bumps and depressions in the ground can still be seen.
Now it is used primarily as a camp ground and it has facilities for over 100 campers with showers and a boat ramp. There is also a pavilion with a large amount of picnics tables and a small beach for swimming.
The actually area is not large and the primary attraction is the location. Since it is up on a hill the views are spectacular. Dutch Island can be seen to the east and views of the Jamestown bridge to the north. It’s an easy bike ride to Beavertail State Park or to the center of town or a quick car trip over to Newport. It’s a great place to launch a kayak with many great places to explore within a relatively short paddle. The only negative is that it fills up quickly so reservations must be made well in advance. A great location for a camping trip.