Growing up in Rhode Island, I always enjoyed its coastal beauty. However, I lived in the northern part of the state so my family would take day trips to places like Newport, Jamestown, and Narragansett, Other times, we would explore one of the state's gorgeous parks. As small as it is, Rhode Island offers so much in terms of hiking and wildlife. For those who are curious to know about the best state parks in Rhode Island, here they are:
Most Popular State Parks In Rhode Island
There are certain Rhode Island State Parks that draw the crowds. Parks like Colt State Park and Rocky Point State Park offer easy hiking and coastal views that can't be beaten. Here are the most popular state parks in Rhode Island:
Location: Bristol, RI
Wow Factor: Absolutely stunning! This is the "gem" of the RI State Parks system after all.
Need to know: This state park is 464 acres and offers paved pathways, hiking trails, and coastal views.
Back in the day when I worked at a wildlife refuge in Bristol, I would come here during my lunch breaks to take in the scenery. I'd see plenty of people walking, biking, and even rollerblading. Fishing is also a popular activity here. This is one of my favorite parks, and it's easy to see why it's among the most popular! This is one of the best state parks in Rhode Island in summer. Check out some of the things to do in Colt State Park.
Location: Newport, RI
Wow Factor: This state park is impressive and absolutely worth visiting.
Need to know: Home to a historic military fort, this state park also hosts the annual Newport Jazz Festival as well as the Newport Folk Festival.
This state park is another favorite of mine. My sister and I would come here with our uncle and explore the historic fort. It's such an incredible and fascinating place. Built between 1824 and 1857 along the East Passage of the Narragansett Bay, Fort Adams was used by the U.S. Army for over 100 years and the U.S. Navy for a decade. Here are some things to do in Fort Adams State Park.
Location: Jamestown, RI
Wow Factor: A picturesque park with coastal views, a historic fort, and a historic lighthouse with a museum.
Need to know: The Beavertail Aquarium (open seasonally) offers marine education programs.
Beavertail is another state park I have a lot of love for. As a child, I'd come here with my aunt and we'd spend a few hours immersed in its coastal beauty along Narragansett Bay. Among the activities you can enjoy here are hiking, birding, picnicking, and photography. This is one of the best state parks in Rhode Island in summer. Here are some things to do in Beavertail State Park.
Location: Warwick, RI
Wow Factor: This park is amazing!
Need to know: The property this park sits on is historic. Over the years, there have been hotels, restaurants, and even an amusement park on it.
Rocky Point State Park takes me all the way back to my childhood. We used to come here when it was Rocky Point Amusement Park complete with rides like the Flume and the Corkscrew, two rides that were salvaged and sold to other amusement parks after it closed in 1995. In 2014, this property became Rocky Point State Park. Take a walk around the property and you'll see ruins of old rides and attractions with interpretive signs stating what they were. Coming here is always nostalgic for me and other Rhode Islanders. Read more about things to do in Rocky Point State Park.
Location: Newport, RI
Wow Factor: Gorgeous!
Need to know: This is a popular spot for flying kites.
Here's another state park in Newport (there are three state parks in total on the island). Separated from the Atlantic by the iconic Ocean Drive, a gorgeous scenic drive, Brenton Point offers a massive green space that's quite popular for flying kites. I always loved watching people fly unique and colorful kites powered by the ocean breeze here. Then, of course, you can walk across the street (watch out for cars!) to spend time along the rocky shoreline staring out at the sea. Here are some things to do in Brenton Point State Park.
Best State Parks In Rhode Island To Camp
There are only five parks under the Rhode Island State Parks system that allow camping. And among them, only three offer tent camping. Here are the state parks in RI that allow tent camping:
Location: Charlestown, RI
Wow Factor: This is a great campground found by Watchaug Pond.
Need to know: There are 700 campsites and 20 cabins at this state campground.
If you love to camp, Burlingame State Campground is the place to go. With amenities like a playground, an arcade, a freshwater beach, a boat ramp, canoe rentals, hiking trails, a dump station, and a camp store, it's a great place for families. Check out things to do in Burlingame State Park.
Location: Chepachet, RI
Wow Factor: This is quite a scenic campground!
Need to know: This is an affordable place to camp.
This campground is located within the 4,000-acre George Washington Management Area. At 100 acres located on the shores of Bowdish Reservoir, the George Washington Memorial Camping Area offers 76 campsites for tents, trailers, or RVs. There's also a handful of cabins available to rent. Here are more things to do in George Washington State Campground and Management Area.
Location: Narragansett, RI
Wow Factor: This coastal campground is incredibly scenic and gives easy access to beaches.
Need to know: There are 147 trailer sites and 35 tent sites. Amenities include a playground and basketball, tennis, and horseshoe courts.
Located along the coast in Narragansett, this is a great campground for those in Rhode Island as well as those coming in from Connecticut due to its close proximity to the state border. Speaking of close, this campground is located close to several state beaches including Salty Brine, Wheeler, and Scarborough State Beaches. Check out more things to do in Fishermen's Memorial State Park and Campground.
Best State Parks In Rhode Island To RV
If you have a trailer, a camper, or an RV, here are two of the best places to camp:
Location: Charlestown, RI
Wow Factor: You can park right on the beach here which is an incredible thing to do!
Need to know: There are no utilities at this campground.
With three miles of beachfront, specialty camping is allowed here. There are only 10 sites available as well as restrooms with composting toilets. If you plan on camping here, your camping unit must be self-contained with holding tanks for potable water, grey water, and black water. Here are things to do in East Beach State Campground.
Location: Charlestown, RI
Wow Factor: If you want to camp steps away from the ocean, look no further than this gorgeous campground!
Need to know: All camping units must be self-contained. This campground offers 75 sites and no utilities.
Located close to Charlestown State Beach, this one-of-a-kind campground has views of Block Island Sound. Due to its location and unique beauty, this is a popular place to camp and can fill up quickly. Camping here will give you easy access to the beach and you can fish here as well. Here are things to do in Charlestown Breachway State Campground.
Best State Parks In Rhode Island For Hiking
There are a few state parks where I have always enjoyed hiking. However, my favorite has to be Snake Den State Park in Johnston. Not only are there fewer crowds but some of its trails are rather challenging. Without further adieu, these are the best Rhode Island state parks for those who love spending time on the trails:
Location: Lincoln, RI
Wow Factor: It's so pretty and peaceful here.
Need to know: This is Rhode Island's very first state park!
This was one state park that was close to where I grew up in Northern RI, so my family would visit once in a while. Then my Providence-based high school would have its annual walk-a-thon fundraiser here. I am quite familiar with Lincoln Woods! I always enjoyed taking a walk in this heavily wooded area and seeing the pond. Throughout the park are plenty of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and other points of interest along with recreational opportunities like boating and swimming at the park's pond. This is one of the best state parks in Rhode Island year-round. Here are more things to do in Lincoln Woods State Park.
Location: Johnston, RI
Wow Factor: This is such a lovely park with trees, plenty of flowers and plants, scenic overlooks, and a working farm.
Need to know: You'll find the small parking lot for this state park past Dame Farm on Brown Ave.
This park is a wonderful place to hike year-round. Sometimes when I'm back home visiting, I'll hit the trails and marvel at how quiet it is. I rarely see more than a handful of people when hiking here. This is one of the best state parks in Rhode Island in fall. Check out more things to do in Snake Den State Park.
Location: Warwick, RI
Wow Factor: This coastal park has so much to offer visitors!
Need to know: Goddard Memorial State Park offers a variety of landscapes and amenities and is a perfect place to spend the day.
Not only does this park offer plenty of hiking trails but there are picnic areas (in fact, there are over 300 picnic tables here), a beach, 11 game fields, a 9-hole golf course, 18 miles of bridle trails for horseback riding, an equestrian show area, fishing areas, a boat ramp, and more. Spend the day here with the entire family! Here are more things to do in Goddard Memorial State Park.
Little-Known State Parks In Rhode Island
While Rhode Island is the smallest state in the nation, it has a surprising number of state parks, some of which remain virtually unknown even to locals. The following are among the lesser-known RI state parks that you may want to check out sometime:
Location: Jamestown, RI
Wow Factor: If you love abandoned places as much as I do, this is the park to visit!
Need to know: Fort Wetherill is located across the water from Fort Adams State Park.
Located across the bridge from Newport in Jamestown, Fort Wetherill State Park is home to a former coastal battery and training camp. It was a military base since the Revolutionary War and was transformed into a state park in the 1970s. Not only is the historic fort covered in graffiti (perfect for you urban explorers and photographers out there, but to towering coastal cliffs and a rocky shoreline. This park is also quite popular for scuba diving, and people from all over New England come here to dive. Check out more things to do in Fort Wetherill State Park.
Location: Chepachet, RI
Wow Factor: This is such a wonderful underrated park to visit.
Need to know: This park is located within the 4,000-acre George Washington Management Area.
At only 100 acres, Pulaski State Park is a gem of a park complete with a 13-acre pond, Here you can go fishing, take a hike, or go for a swim. This is also one of the best state parks in Rhode Island in winter. Take a look at more things to do in Pulaski State Park and Recreational Area.
Location: Barrington, RI
Wow Factor: This underrated state park is quite beautiful.
Need to know: This park offers 33 picnic sites as well as boating, fishing, and game fields.
Another coastal park, Haines Memorial State Park is perhaps the least visited in Rhode Island. Here you'll find picnic areas, ball fields, and even fireplaces that were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. You can even go saltwater fishing here. The East Bay Bike Path runs through Haines Memorial so be sure to stop to stretch your legs and have a picnic!
So, how many state parks are in Rhode Island? There are a total of 14 parks and eight beaches that fall under the RI State Parks umbrella, for a total of 22 properties. There's also the Arcadia Wildlife Management Area, the East Bay Bike Path, and the Blackstone River Bike Path in the Blackstone Valley that are overseen by the Rhode Island State Parks.
What are your favorite state parks around the Ocean State? I've shared mine! Please share yours In the comments.
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