South County has lovely forests, parks, for walking and hiking

A-C     |     D-G     |     H-K     |     L-Q     |     R-Z
A-C top of listings

Burlingame State Park

Sanctuary Road (Route 1) Charlestown, RI 02813 Phone: 401-364-8910, seasonal

The park has 3,100 acres of rocky woodland surrounding Watchaug Pond in Charlestown. Swimming beach and bathhouse, canoeing, kayaking, freshwater fishing, picnic tables, boat ramp, 73 fireplaces, restrooms, drinking water, telephone, wheelchair accessible. Open year round sunrise to sunset; restrooms open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Lifeguards on duty 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Canonchet Farm

Strathmore Street and Anne Hoxsie Lane Narragansett, RI Phone: 401-789-1044

Site of the South County Museum (see listing below). A 19th century working farm set on 174 acre park includes historic buildings, exhibits, and cemetery featuring graves more than 200 years old. It also has nature trails and a picnic area. Open daily, dawn to dusk.

Casey Farm

2325 Boston Neck Road (Route 1A) Saunderstown, RI Phone: 401-295-1030

Open: June 1-October 15, Tuesday and Thursday, 1-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Explore this working farm with a tour that includes the farmyard and the family cemetery, where six generations of Caseys are buried. Visitors are welcome to ramble along trails and view the organic vegetable and flower gardens. The farm also keeps a flock of heirloom Dominique chickens as well as heritage-breed turkeys. Hiking trails surround the property. The Coastal Grower’s Farmers’ Market is held on Saturdays, May through October, 9 a.m. -noon.
Admission: $4; seniors, $3; students and children, $2.
D-G top of listings

Davis Memorial Wildlife Refuge - Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Davisville Road North Kingstown, RI Phone: 401-949-5454

A 90-acre property of woods and wetlands located on the Hunt River with access for canoeing. Take Exit 7 (Frenchtown Road/Davisville) off Rte. 4 South. Davisville Road (Rte. 403) is the left fork (follow signs toward Quonset Point/Davisville). Parking is on the right within 1/2 mile of the exit, immediately after the guardrail marking the Hunt River.

Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge - Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Pardon Joslin Road Exeter, RI Phone: 401-295-8283

This 937-acre property contains fields, diverse forest habitats, pond, streams (including a waterfall) and a historic cemetery. Take I-95 to Rte. 4 to Rte. 102 North. Turn right onto Widow Sweets Road (just after the Exeter Town Clerk's Office and across from Anderson's Quality Furniture Store). Take the second right onto Pardon Joslin Road (a dirt road). Travel approximately 1 mile. Parking lot is on the right side of the road by a large Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge sign.

George B. Parker Woodland - Audubon Society of Rhode Island

1670 Maple Valley Road Coventry, RI Phone: 401-295-8283

An 860-acre property consisting of majestic old forest, brooks, fields, and mysterious rock cairns. The caretaker's house was built in the 1700's. The barn has been converted into a nature center. From Providence take I-95 South to Rte. 102 North (Exit 5B). Take Rte. 102 North approximately ten miles. Turn right (east) onto Maple Valley Road (across Rte. 102, on the left is Waterman Hill Road). Turn into second driveway on the left for the trailhead or the first driveway for programs. Look for the Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge sign.
H-K top of listings

Kimball Wildlife Sanctuary - Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Watchaug Pond Charlestown, RI Phone: 401-874-6664

A 29-acre property gem located on the southern shore of the Watchaug Pond. The land abuts Burlingame State Park and trails lead from the refuge to state land. Turn north off Rte. 1 at Prosser Trail, take the first left onto Montauk, and follow the signs to Kimball. At the bottom of the hill turn left and follow Sanctuary Road to the Nature Center.
L-Q top of listings

Lathrop Pond Wildlife Refuge - Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Shore Road Westerly, RI Phone: 401-949-5454

This 86-acre property situated along the northern shore of Winnapaug Pond consists of coastal shrub land, freshwater wetlands, and salt marsh. A short trail leads from the parking lot down to the pond. From Rte. 1 South, take a left onto Rte. 1A (following signs to Misquamicut State Beach). Follow Rte. 1A approximately 3 miles. Look for the sign off left shoulder of the road.

Long Pond Woods - Audubon Society of Rhode Island

North Road Hopkington, RI Phone: 401-949-5454

A beautiful 218-acre parcel of stately hemlocks and rock outcrops bordering Long and Ells Pond. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island's land is a part of a large conservation area with trails connecting to Connecticut. Take Canonchet Road south from Rte. 138, then take the first right onto North Road.

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. Open daily, dawn to dusk.

R-Z top of listings

Wickford Village

Route 1A North Kingstown, RI Phone: 401-295-5566

This scenic and historic village offers streets full of water views, 18th and 19th century homes, and quaint shops.

Wilcox Park

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

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 through fall and the perfect spot for a stroll.
Hours: Open year-round, dawn-11 pm.

Woody Hill Management Area

Westerly, RI

Gravel paths open only to foot and bicycle traffic are the main feature of this wildlife management area, set on 819 acres. Home to a variety of wildlife both on land and in the water.
A-C     |     D-G     |     H-K     |     L-Q     |     R-Z