Rhode Island state and local Parks offer variety and fun, on sea and inland

Rhode Island > State > Outdoor Activities > State and Local Parks

On your Rhode Island vacation, plan to spend some time at state parks, where the whole family can enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, boating, exploring the tidal pools and much more.

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Goddard Memorial State Park

1095 Ives Road Warwick, RI, 02818 Phone: 401-884-2010

You get to Goddard Park via a long country road flanked by a handsome stone wall and surrounded by old farmland, scattered clapboard houses, and glimpses of golf courses. By the time you reach the park you are primed to enjoy its spacious lawns, fields, walking trails and forested areas. Visitors can play at a nine-hole golf course, ride 18 miles of bridle trails from an equestrian show area, and play on a sandy beach. There are plenty of picnic tables, 11 game fields, and a performing arts center for weddings, concerts, and special events.

Warwick City Park

End of Asylum Road Warwick, RI, 02886 Phone: 401-738-2019

The 126-acre city park, located beyond quiet neighborhoods of older homes, covers the end of a snub-nosed peninsula surrounded by two quiet coves, with views across a small cove of the Little Rhody Boat Club. The park is popular for its salt water beach; served by a bathhouse; softball fields; picnic areas with shelters, good for larger family gatherings and parties. Additionally there are three miles of paved paths, used by bicyclists and runners, and fenced dog park. Legend has it that the first clam bakes took place here in the late 1800s.

Wilcox Park

71 High Street Westerly, RI, 02891 Phone:

Lovely in-town Victorian Park; strolling; summer outdoor performances

This is a neat example of an urban park of the Victorian period. Beautiful walking paths, pond and fountain, dwarf conifers, day lilies, trees and shrubs. Some live entertainment, like outdoor Shakespeare performances, in summer. Breathtaking from spring to fall.
Hours: Open year-round, dawn to 11 p.m.

Rocky Point Park

3275 Post Road Warwick, RI, 02886 Phone: 401-738-2019

Located on a pointed outcrop of land in the upper part of Narragansett Bay and in view of the more-northerly Conimicut Point Park and its lighthouse, this 124-acre park is the former home to Rhode Island’s largest and most famous amusement park, active from the mid-19th through the 20th centuries. The park has walking path along the coast, places for fishing, and good spot for family gatherings. The new fishing pier will consist of a 260-foot-long wooden walkway leading from the existing blacktop path out to a 21-by-111-foot main deck elevated 13 feet off the water’s surface.

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Fort Adams State Park

Ocean Drive Newport, RI Phone: 401-847-2400

Historic fort property hosts picnics, swimming, fishing, historic reenactments, sailing

Fort Adams State Park is, in face, a former fort guarding Newport Harbor and the east passage of Narragansett Bay. It is a very large area, with lots of lawns for walking and picnicking. There is also salt water bathing and fishing. Sail Newport, a non-profit organization based at the park, offers instruction and rentals of sailboats and windsurfing equipment. Sail Newport hosts sailing events and races with the park as its home base (401-846-1983).
Fort Adams is known nationally and internationally for its Newport Jazz Festival and Newport Folk Festival, which draw thousands of guests to the property; many more listen to the music from boats in the harbor.
The Fort often hosts special historical events like reenactments of battles and the daily lives of soldiers in a historic setting. The original defenses still standing include walls, powder magazines, guns and cannons, and tunnels. The fort also welcomes people to seasonal events, like its Halloween season Fright and the Fort fun house.

Brenton Point State Park

Ocean Drive Newport, RI, 02840 Phone: 401-847-2400

Brenton Point State Park is located on the spectacular Ocean Drive. Its sloping, grassy lawns overlook vast views of Narragansett Bay, its islands, and bird life. Stiff breezes make this a favorite place for kite flying; a kite flying festival is held here every year on the second weekend of July. Visitors enjoy walking, picnicking, fishing on the rocky shore, and nature photography. Open year-round, sunrise to sunset. Bathrooms open May through October.

Lincoln Woods State Park

2 Manchester Print Works Road Lincoln, RI, 02865 Phone: 401-723-7892

Inland park with freshwater swimming, boating, trails, horseback riding

This beautiful, large, wooded inland park is in the Blackstone River Valley and an easy drive from Providence. The park has a lake for freshwater swimming and paddling, trout fishing, and fields for ball games and picnics. Permits are required for use of picnic areas and fields.
There are many trails for hiking, walking, jogging, horseback riding or mountain biking. Some trails are for horseback riding only and other trails are for multiple uses.
Lifeguards are on duty during the summer season. Motor boats are not allowed on the lake on weekends and holidays during summer. Motors must be less than 10 horsepower. Eastern Mountain Sports operates a kayaking school at the park (800-310-4504). The Park has a riding program with lessons, by Sunset Stables.
Map of Lincoln Woods State Park (PDF)

Beavertail State Park

Beavertail Road Jamestown, RI, 02835 Phone: 401-423-9941

Park with rocky shores, tide pools, salt water fishing, walking, picnicking, lighthouse

Beavertail State Park is located at the southern tip of Jamestown Island. It is on a dramatic promontory with a lighthouse. Fantastic views of Narragansett Bay. The coastline of the park is rocky. It is not good for swimming but perfect for rock climbing, exploring tide pools and tidal marine life, salt-water fishing (surf casting), walking the grounds, picnicking and kite flying. Views are tremendous. The Park operates a naturalist program to learn about the ecology of tide pools and local geology. Also, programs relating to crabs, fish, whales and intertidal zones. Open year-round, dawn to dusk.
Beavertail Lighthouse has a museum and gift shop in the assistant keeper's house. Hours vary from May to Columbus Day. The lighthouse tower is not open to the public. RI lighthouses.

Haines Memorial State Park

On Bullock's Cove, off Metropolitan Park Drive Barrington, RI Phone: 401-253-7482

Beach for salt-water swimming on Narragansett Bay; picnic groves with a fireplace at each site; ball fields; restrooms, bath house. This is a stop on the East Bay Bike Path. In summer, the park hosts a farmer’s market. A boat ramp is accessible to wheelchairs.

Colt State Park

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

Beautiful park along Narragansett Bay; walking trails; picnicking; playfields

Colt State Park is cheek to cheek with the eastern shore of Narragansett Bay. It has huge lawns for games, many curving drives and foot paths, fantastic views. Shore fishing. Ten large playing fields, picnic groves, flower beds, near the extensive East Bay Bike Path. This park is a favorite for family gatherings, reunions, and weddings. There is an open-air chapel, Chapel by the Sea. Map of Colt State Park.

Burlingame State Park

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

Large forested park with freshwater pond; lots of camping in woods; water sports; boat ramp

This large (3,100 acres) and very popular state park is ideal for camping in woodlands. The park includes Watchaug Pond. Amenities at this park include a beach for freshwater swimming, and boat lauch for boating and fishing, campgrounds with fireplaces, drinking water, and toilets. The campground may fill early on summer weekends. Campground map. Park map.

Ninigret Park

Route 1A just off Route 1 Charlestown, RI Phone: 401-364-1222

Pond swimming, fishing; playground, fields, nature center, Frisbee golf

Interesting and beautiful park on Ninigret Pond, which is a salt-water tidal pond protected from the ocean by a long barrier beach. The park also includes freshwater pond with a beach for swimming, and lifeguards on duty in summer. The park has a playground, ball fields, basketball courts, a nature center and small observatory, restrooms, tennis courts, and a one-mile bicycle trail.
Fishing is done on the back side of the pond. A pavilion is available for rent, and it has grills, picnic tables, electricity, water, and bathrooms. Festivals, like the annual Charlestown Seafood Festivals, are held here seasonally. There is a Frisbee disc golf course on the back side of the park. Open year-round, 8 a.m. to sunset

Fort Wetherill State Park

Fort Wetherill Road Jamestown, RI Phone: 401-423-1771

Great views of Newport; good for scuba diving, boating, fishing, hiking

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. Popular for scuba diving, picnicking, boating, fishing, and hiking.

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