- What is Rhode Island known for?
- The state of Rhode Island is renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches and charming Colonial coastal towns.
- What makes Newport a popular destination?
- Home to several large cities, including Newport, which is famous for its magnificent Gilded Age mansions and being one of the best sailing spots on the coast.
- Does Rhode Island have natural parks?
- Rhode Island also features spectacular natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes, which can be enjoyed at one of the many state and recreational parks in the region.
- What are some attractions in Providence?
- The capital of Providence is home to many attractions such as the urban Roger Williams Park and the exquisitely manicured Waterplace Park and Riverwalk.
- Are there any other parks to explore in Rhode Island?
- Further afield, there are plenty of naturally wild and beautiful parks to explore.
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1. Beavertail State Park
Beavertail State Park is a 153-acre public recreation area located at the southern end of Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay. Renowned for its stunning panoramic vistas of the New England coastline, the park is also home to the active Beavertail Lighthouse with a tower dating back to 1856. Previously known as the Newport Light, the Beavertail beacon has a rich history which includes contributing to Newport's prominence before the Revolution and guiding local merchant vessels engaged in the trade with China. The Beavertail Lighthouse and Lighthouse Museum are open for the public to explore. The park is a popular tourist destination for sightseeing, which can be done on foot, bicycle or by car, and also offers excellent hiking saltwater fishing and a naturalist program.
Beavertail Rd, Jamestown, RI 02835, Phone: 401-884-2010
2. Big River Management Area
The Big River Management Area is an 8,000-plus-acre of pristine protected landscapes consisting of deciduous and evergreen forests, marshes and wetlands, and farmlands. The area is home to several rivers, including the Big River, the Congdon and Carr Rivers, and the Nooseneck River, which offers a range of water-based activities such as fishing, canoeing, and swimming. Other recreational activities in the area include hiking, mountain biking, nature walks, and bird watching.
West Greenwich, RI 02817
3. Blackstone River State Park
Blackstone River State Park features 1,000 acres of parklands with several historical sites, plenty of hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking trails, and lovely picnic areas. The riverfront park is home to a historical canal towpath built in 1828 where visitors can enjoy historical walking tours and visit the Captain Wilbur Kelly House Museum, which is open seasonally and features a variety of exhibits on the towpath, canal, and railroads in the area. Other activities in the park include canoeing and kayaking with canoe portage available, freshwater fishing, walking, and picnicking.
Lower River Rd, Lincoln, RI 02865, Phone: 401-334-6720
4. Block Island National Wildlife Refuge
Located on the picturesque Block Island, approximately 12 miles offshore from Rhode Island, Block Island National Wildlife Refuge is a protected environment that is home to a wealth of diverse wildlife and beautiful landscapes. Established in 1973, the 127-acre refuge is located in the ‘Atlantic Flyway’ for migrating birds and attracts over 70 species of migratory songbirds which stopover on Block Island before continuing their migration. The refuge also attracts other wildlife such as the threatened piping plovers, the endangered American burying beetle, and has the largest gull colony in Rhode Island. Birders come from around the country to experience to a myriad of migratory birds that use the island as a rest stop.
New Shoreham, RI 02807, Phone: 401-364-9124
5. Brenton Point State Park
Occupying the former grounds of one of Newport's grandest estates at the southwestern tip of Aquidneck Island, Brenton Point State Park is an 89-acre public recreation area with spectacular panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean where it meets Narragansett Bay. Situated next to Newport Country Club, which is part of Newport's Ocean Drive Historic District, midway along renowned Ocean Drive, the park offers facilities such as hiking trails, kite flying areas, picnicking facilities, and fishing, and hosts the annual Newport Kite Festival.
Ocean Drive, Newport, RI 02840, Phone: 401-849-4562
6. Casimir Pulaski Memorial State Park
Located within the 4000-acre George Washington Management Area, the 100-acre Pulaski Memorial Recreation Area is a scenic ‘day park’ that offers a range of facilities for recreational and outdoor activities. The Casimir Pulaski Memorial State Park features the 13-acre Peck Pond, which provides excellent trout fishing and swimming, and is home to families of beavers that make their dens around the pond. The surrounding park has several hiking and mountain biking trails, lovely picnic spots, and 10 miles of groomed trails that lead into the adjacent George Washington Management Area for cross-country skiing in the winter months.
174 Pulaski Rd, Chepachet, RI 02814
7. Charlestown Breachway
The Charlestown Breachway State Beach is a public recreation area in the town of Charlestown that overlooks the sea of the Block Island Sound. The beach is located on the east side of the Breachway, a manmade channel that connects Ninigret Pond with the ocean. There is a 75-site camping ground for self-contained RV and a boat launch, as well as plenty of activities to enjoy such as swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and beachcombing.
Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813, Phone: 401-364-7000
8. Colt State Park, Rhode Island
Often referred to as the 'Gem' of the State Parks System, Colt State Park is a 464-acre park on Poppasquash Neck in the township of Bristol that is home to one of the state’s most spectacular shorelines. One owned by industrialist Samuel P. Colt, the land is bordered by Narragansett Bay on the western side and boasts panoramic views of the bay and the ocean. The park features grassy lawns, curving drives, old stone walls, and six beautiful picnic groves with over 400 picnic tables for relaxing and enjoying the stunning scenery. Other attractions in the park include manicured groves of fruit trees, lawns and flowering bushes, four miles of hiking and biking trails along the shoreline, a charming open-air chapel, a historical museum that showcases the history of the area, and ten large playing fields.
Route 114, Bristol, RI 02809, Phone: 401-253-7482
9. Conanicut Battery Historic Park
The Conanicut Battery Historic Park preserves the Conanicut Battery, a colonial and 20th Century military battery in Jamestown. The 22-acre site is known for the earthen battery which was constructed by local militia during the American Revolutionary War, and for its commanding and strategic views of the West Passage of Narragansett Bay. The main feature of the park is the earthworks, which measure approximately 150 feet long and 75 feet wide and date back to 1931, as well as large partially underground defensive batteries such as Fort Burnside and Fort Getty that were built in the early 20th century by the U.S. military. The Conanicut Battery Historic Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open for the public to explore.
Battery Ln, Jamestown, RI 02835
10. Conimicut Point Park
Conimicut Point Park is a scenic waterfront park with sandy beaches, picnic areas, and sites for launching canoes and kayaks. In addition to beautiful beaches, the park has a children’s play area, and is an excellent spot for bird-watching, catching stunning sunsets, and taking photographs of the Conimicut Lighthouse.
Point Ave, Warwick, RI 02889, Phone: 401-738-2000
More: Park camping reservations.
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Table of Contents:
- 1. Beavertail State Park
- 2. Big River Management Area
- 3. Blackstone River State Park
- 4. Block Island National Wildlife Refuge
- 5. Brenton Point State Park
- 6. Casimir Pulaski Memorial State Park
- 7. Charlestown Breachway
- 8. Colt State Park, Rhode Island
- 9. Conanicut Battery Historic Park
- 10. Conimicut Point Park