Part of The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor on the banks of the Blackstone River, with canoeing, boating, a fishing area, and walking trails. The bikeway eventually will run 19 miles and connects with the East Bay Bike Path. There is about three miles of bike path developed.

Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
1 Depot Square
Woonsocket, RI
Phone: 401-762-0250

The information center for historic sites and activities in the Blackstone River Valley, which runs from Worcester, MA, to Providence. The region is considered the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, and is dotted with old mill villages, canals, and historic sites.

Buck Hill Management Areas
Buck Hill Road
Burrillville, RI

This wildlife management area offers observation of birds, fox, coyote, and others. Parts of the area are designed specifically for wildlife farming fields and food growth regions.

Diamond Hill Park
Route 114
Cumberland, RI
Phone: 401-728-2400

This wooded park has fields for sports and games, picnic areas, and a hiking trail. The view from the top of Diamond Hill is spectacular.

Lincoln Woods State Park
Lincoln, RI 02865
Phone: 401-723-7892

Located between routes 146 and 123 just outside of Providence, the park includes Olney Pond and offers facilities for picnicking, boating, freshwater swimming, fishing, horseback riding, hiking. Facilities include nature center, restrooms, parking, phone, concession stand, picnic shelters, picnic tables, freshwater beach, bathhouse, showers. Park is open year round from sunrise to sunset. No entrance fee.

River Island Park
Bernon Street
Woonsocket, RI
Phone: 401- 762-6400

This park is only blocks from the center of Woonsocket, yet it sports quiet walking trails, a scenic overlook, and canoe launches.

Valley Falls Heritage Park
Route 114
Cumberland, RI
Phone: 401-728-2400

This park not only has scenic views, but is an historic educational site, along the Blackstone River.

White Mill Park
Route 100
Pascoag, RI
Phone: 401-334-7773

The mill on this site was finished in 1834. The original structure burned to the ground, and rebuilt in 1895. Fine example of the 19th century water-powered mills, which formed the backbone of the New England economy over a century ago.

EAST BAY top of listings

Colt State Park
Route 14
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-7482

Enjoy the Ocean State

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This is a 464-acre state park on the shore of Narragansett Bay, with four miles of hiking and biking trails, gardens, 10 playing fields, and six picnic groves. Fishing, concerts, and naturalist programs are offered in season.

East Bay Bike Path
Bristol - Providence, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-7482

Following the old Penn Central Railway right-of-way, this nearly 15-mile long, mostly flat bike trail runs from India Point Park in Providence, through East Providence and Barrington to Independence Park in Bristol. The 10-foot-wide paved path runs through the county, along the shore, and through salt marshes and woods. The bike path's southern tip eventually will connect to the Blackstone Bikeway now under construction.

Haines Memorial State Park
Barrington, RI

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Haines Park is home to baseball fields, a large picnic area, and a boat ramp. The East Bay Bike path runs through the park for those looking for a shorter bicycle ride.

Watchamocket Cove
East Providence, RI 02914

Another area bird-watching site, ideal for winter spotting of gulls and widgeons.

NEWPORT top of listings

Beavertail State Park
Jamestown, RI 02835
Phone: 401-884-2010 401-884-2010 year round

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State run beach perfect for scenic views, picnicking and fishing. Also has hiking trails.

Brenton Point State Park
Ocean Drive
Newport, RI 02840

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Phone: Fort Adams State Park, 401-847-2400; Brenton Point (seasonal), 401-849-4562 Formerly one of Newport grand estates, the park offers spectacular views from the point of land where Narragansett Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Picnicking, hiking, fishing, accompanied by majestic views of the Atlantic. Open year-round sunrise to sunset. Restrooms (open May 1 – October 31), public phone, concessions, parking, nearby fishing nearby, hiking, picnic area, scenic overlooks, public gardens.

Fort Adams State Park
Ocean Drive
Newport, RI
Phone: 401-847-2400

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An active military fort from 1799 to 1945, Fort Adams sits on over 21 acres and held up to 2,400 troops. The original defenses still present include height walls, powder magazines, 3 tiers of guns and cannons, and listening tunnels. The park also includes a picnic area, beach, boat launches and fishing piers.

Fort Barton
Highland Road
Tiverton, RI
Phone: 401-625-6700

In 1778, Fort Barton was the staging area for the invasion of Aquidnck Island, which led to the Battle of Rhode Island. The site has three miles of nature trail walks, including a wild plant trail, and an observation tower. miles of nature trail walks, including a wild plant trail

Fort Wetherill State Park
Fort Wetherill Road
Jamestown, RI
Phone: 401-884-2010

Site of a historic defense battery and military training camp, the park offers spectacular views of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay from its location on 100-foot granite cliffs. Salt water fishing, scuba diving, and picnicking available.

Heritage Foundation of Rhode Island Park
Prudence Island
Narragansett Bay, RI

Natural parkland set on 475 acres, featuring hiking trails, excellent bird-watching, and natural photography spots. The entrance to the property is on Broadway, which is in the center of Prudence Island.

Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary
Prudence Island
Portsmouth, RI
Phone: 401-683-6780

National environmental preserve with a self-guided hiking trail and guided nature walks. The park has a picnic area, swimming, and boating areas. Accessible through a ferry from Bristol, RI. Open dawn to dusk, Memorial Day-Labor Day.

Norman Bird Sanctuary
583 Third Beach Road
Middletown, RI
Phone: 401-846-2577

450-acre wildlife refuge with seven miles of walking trails. Ideal for bird-watching, museum on site.

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
Sachuest Point Road
Middletown, RI
Phone: 401-364-9124

Sachuest Point contains a range of habitats, including salt marsh, brush lands, grasslands, beaches, rocky cliffs, and dunes. More than 200 species of birds have been seen.

PROVIDENCE/WARWICK top of listings

Goddard Memorial State Park
345 Ives Road
Warwick, RI 02818
Phone: 401-884-2010

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This state park was acquired by the state and converted from a private estate in 1927. Visitors to the park will find a beach, horse and walking trails, forest areas, a nine-hole golf course, picnic and grilling areas, and a performing arts venue.

Nicholas Farm Wildlife Management Area
Nicholas Road
Coventry, RI
Phone: 401-294-4662

1429 acres of natural preserve is the ideal location for hiking and fishing. The preserve offers ample opportunity to observe native animals and birds in their natural habitat.

Roger Williams Park
1000 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI 02907

"The Jewel of Providence"

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This 430 acre park contains a zoo, landscaped grounds, gardens, a carousel and historic buildings.

Waterplace Park and Riverwalk
Memorial Boulevard
Providence, RI
Phone: 401-785-9450

This recently constructed park winds through downtown Providence along the river and features cultivated paths, stonework, venetian-style footbridges. Location of WaterFire.

SOUTH COUNTY top of listings

Burlingame State Park
Sanctuary Road (Route 1)
Charlestown, RI 02813
Phone: 401-364-8910, seasonal 401-322-8910, year round

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A 2,100-acre state park set in woods, swamps, and rocky ridges. Fishing, swimming, camping, concerts, snowmobile, and hiking trails.

Charlestown Breachway State Park
Charlestown, RI
Phone: 401-364-7000

Camping on 62 acres close to beach areas with lifeguards.. 75 camp sites for trailers. Restrooms, but now showers. Open April 15-October 31.

Fishermen's Memorial State Park
1011 Point Judith Road, Route 108
Narragansett, RI
Phone: 401-789-8374

Divided into three areas, the park offers 182 tent and trailer sites, some with electric, water, and sewer hookups. Showers, toilets, dump station, recreational area. Varying fees are charged depending on residency and type of hook-up. Open year-round.

Ninigret Park
Charlestown, RI 02813
Phone: 401-364-1222

Covers 172 acres, featuring bike paths, tennis and basketball courts, ball fields, picnic areas, swimming pond, and the Frosty Drew Memorial Nature Center with walking trails.

Wilcox Park
71 1/2 High Street, Downtown Westerly
Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: 401-596-2877 ext. 334
Toll-Free: 866-460-2877 ext. 334

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Prime example of a turn-of-the-century park, designed and constructed by Warren Manning in 1898. The park features dozens of specimen trees, shrubs, and flower beds, along with a pond, fountain, and monuments. Botanical arrangements include a dwarf conifer collection, daylilies, and perennials. Breathtaking in May-July and the perfect spot for a stroll.