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Audubon's Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge
Seapowet Ave, Tiverton, 401-949-5454
The Ruecker Wildlife Refuge is a 50-acre preserve featuring easy trails, beautiful views of the Sakonnet River, salt marshes, woods, a pond, and many birds, including egrets, great blue herons and glossy ibis. Be sure to bring along bug spray and clothes and shoes you don't mind getting wet.
Audubon's Fisherville Brook Wildlife RefugePardon Joslin Road, Exeter, 401-949-5454
The 937 acres of Fisherville Brook are loaded with wonderful scenery and pleasant hiking. There are bridges, a pond, a waterfall, an historic cemetery, a meadow, bird boxes, and more! Take the blue loop for an easy 1.5 mile hike, or extend it to almost 3 miles by connecting with the orange trail.
Audubon's George B. Parker Woodland1670 Maple Valley Rd, Coventry, 401-295-8283
Parker Woodland is an 860-acre refuge with majestic old forests, meadows, brooks, and an old barn that has been converted to a nature center. Start on the easy orange trail from parking lot #1, and head right on the blue trail to see mysterious cairns (look to your right just past post #7). If you're up to it, continue around the 3 mile blue loop.
Audubon's McIntosh Wildlife Refuge andEnvironmental Education Center
1401 Hope Street (Rte 114), Bristol, 401-245-7500
The McIntosh Wildlife Refuge boasts a stroller-friendly, ¼ mile boardwalk through fresh and saltwater marshes, across the East Bay Bike Path, ending with a majestic view of Narragansett Bay. It is also home to the Audubon Environmental Education Center. Admission fees apply for the center, but the hike is free!
Audubon's Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge12 Sanderson Road (Rt. 5), Smithfield, 401-949-5454
The Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge has many different animals - such as white tail deer, coyote, grey fox, and wild turkey. Follow the orange trail to the blue trail for an easy 1 mile loop, and you'll find a stream, stands of pine trees, a rock wall, and a beautiful pond.
Ballard Parkcorner of Hazard & Wickham Roads, Newport
401-619-3377
Newport's only nature preserve seems much larger than its 13 acres, partly because of its location next to a wildlife refuge. Park at Rogers High School and enter the park directly across the road. There are easy to navigate trails, gorgeous views, and a huge meadow just right for resting or a picnic, as well as many wonderful events for the whole family.
Casimir Pulaski Memorial State Park151 Pulaski Road, Chepachet, 401-568-2085
This 100 acre park offers many outdoor activites for all ages to enjoy throughout the year. In the warmer months, enjoy picnicking, swimming in Peck Pond, and hiking the 1.3 mile trail from the beach (follow the white triangles with blue dots). In the winter, take advantage of the groomed cross-country ski trails.
Diamond Hill Park
Rte. 114, Cumberland, 401-728-2400
Once a former ski slope, Diamond Hill offers spectacular views and a fairly gradual climb for young ones and older kids to enjoy. Take the wooded path from the paved road to get to the summit (easily identified by the old ski lift footings).
Francis C. Carter Memorial Preserveoff Rte. 112 and Old Mill Rd, Charlestown, 401-331-7110 x17
The Nature Conservancy’s Carter Preserve is one of the largest protected areas in RI, and boasts more than 5 miles of well-marked hiking trails. The Narragansett Trail from the Old Mill Road entrance leads to a wonderful field. And, if you go in the springtime, many paths lead to vernal pools in which you can find tadpoles and other critters.
Frenchtown Park & Frye Nature Preserve
1127 Frenchtown Rd, East Greenwich, 401-886-8645
This quiet little gem doesn't get a lot of attention, but it is easy to hike and quite beautiful. Located right across from Frenchtown Elementary School, there are 125 acres to explore, including well marked trails, a scenic pond, and an old mill. You can also enter from a small parking area on Tillinghast Road across from the pond with the water wheel.
The John H. Chafee Nature Preserve
Boston Neck Road (Route 1A), North Kingstown, 401-884-2010
The Chafee Nature Preserve is one of the few natural spaces in RI that's as popular in winter as any other season. Harbor seals migrate into this area in October and stay through the spring. Hike straight to the beach from the parking lot, and then go left along the rocky shoreline to reach Rome Point and you're likely to see these curious creatures. Don't forget your binoculars!
Neutaconkanut Hill
675 Plainfield St, Providence, 401-383-4711
Tucked into the western corner of Providence are 88 acres full of beautiful woodlands, meadows, valleys, geological outcroppings, stone walls, brooks, as well as the many small animals and birds that make their home on the Hill. Click here for a map of the park.
Norman Bird Sanctuary583 Third Beach Rd, Middletown, 401-846-2577
The NBS's 325-acres and over 7 miles of hiking trails are well worth the few dollars they charge for trail use. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Quarry and Shady Glade Trails or hike to the top of Hanging Rock. Either way, you're certain to see or hear a song from one of the many species of birds who make their home there. Don't forget your binoculars! Photo © NBS
Roger Williams Parklocated off Elmwood Ave, Providence, 401-
Sure, you probably know and go to our fabulous zoo, but what about the park itself? Roger Williams Park offers a lot of wonderful opportunities to view wildlife, interesting old trees, flowers, and natural areas. Park at the Betsey Williams Cottage and start your urban hike at the huge 100+ year old London Plane tree (see photo).
Ryan Park, Oakhill Rd, North Kingstown, 401-294-3331Ryan Park, once an abandoned dump, may be one of Rhode Island's best kept secrets. Enter through the main entrance (about 1 mile from Rte. 4) and bear left at the sign for "One Way/Parking." Follow the road to a four-way "intersection" and take the gravel road directly in front of you to the first parking area on your right. Start your hike beyond the metal gate on the left. And don't forget a map!
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge769 Sachuest Point Rd, Middletown, 401-847-5511
Because Sachuest Point NWR sits on a small peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Sakonnet River, and Sachuest Bay, it's an ideal spot for cooling off in the summer. The 40 acres include salt marsh lands, steep rocky shorelines, observation platforms for year-round birdwatching, and easy, flat, stroller-friendly trails. Photo © US Fish and Wildlife Service
Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge
1040 Matunuck Schoolhouse Rd, S. Kingstown, 401-364-9124
At Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll see shrublands, woodlands, beaches, and ponds, including RI’s only undeveloped salt pond. You’re also likely to see one of hundreds of bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species. If you have the time and energy, trek it to Osprey Point for a fabulous view from a large observation platform.
