Hiking & Beaches
(Visit www.asri.org for all Audubon Refuge trail maps)
Providence & North
Fort Wildlife Refuge (ASRI) ............... 949-5454
Rt. 5, North Smithfield.
235-acre refuge - five miles of quiet woodland trails lead through upland/wetland habitats. Three large ponds, several brooks, and many vernal pools as well. Cross-country skiing. Programs year round.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge -Audubon Society of RI ............... 949-5454
12 Sanderson Rd., (Rt. 5), Smithfield.
A 120-acre refuge harbors ASRI’s headquarters. Gift shop & bird feeding station. Four miles of trails wind through a diverse mix of habitats from wetland to white pine woods to mixed oak uplands, and a pond and brook. Summer camp and environmental programs year-round. Programs for scout groups, birthday parties and other community organizations by reservation.
Woonasquatucket River Watershed (Riverside Park) ............... 861-9046
Council: 27 Sims Ave., Providence
Our park is Riverside Park at 50 Aleppo Street, Providence.
The Woonasquatucket River Greenway is Providence's only off-road bike path. We have the Red Shed Bike Shop where classes are held, and we have bike rides and paddle trips. wrwc.org/events.php for upcoming events.
East Bay Audubon Environmental Education Center and McIntosh Wildlife Refuge ............... 245-7500
1401 Hope Street (Rt. 114), Bristol.
This 28-acre wildlife refuge features a wide variety of habitats. Hike the trails through the field and along the 1/4 mile boardwalk to Narragansett Bay. Explore the award winning Environmental Education Center exhibits. Environmental programs, lectures, and birthday parties offered year round.
Cliff Walk Newport
3.5 mile
Walk overlooking Second Beach, the Atlantic Ocean and the Bellevue Ave. Mansions in Newport. (Easiest section from Memorial to Ruggles Avenues.)
Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge Audubon Society RI ............... 949-5454
Seapowet Avenue, Tiverton.
A 50-acre parcel of woods and salt marsh and views of the Sakonnet River.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve ............... 683-6780
Prudence Island, Portsmouth
A conservancy with natural open space and trails.
Norman Bird Sanctuary ............... 846-2577
583 Third Beach Rd., Middletown
This 325-acre wildlife refuge and environmental education center offers over 7 miles of hiking trails through diverse habitats. Before heading out on the trails, visit the Welcome Center and gift shop, the 19th Century Barn Museum featuring natural history displays, and Good Gardens, a collection of gardens featuring herbs, heirloom vegetables, plants, flowers, and an outdoor classroom space. Norman Bird Sanctuary offers educational programs, camps and annual events for all ages. It also features the newly renovated Paradise Farmhouse for vacation rentals and retreats, as well as Mabel's Studio for small events or meeting space.
Recreation Department ............... 728-2400
Cumberland (Rt.114)
550 acres that includes a walking trail, playground and picnic area.
Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge ............... 847-5511
Off Second Beach in Middletown
fws.gov/refuge/sachuest_point/
228 acres consisting of fresh/salt water marshes, barrier beach, rocky shoreline, grasslands, and coastal shrublands. 5 miles of hiking trails.
Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge Audubon Society ............... 949-5454
Touisset Road, Warren
66 acres of salt marsh & bordering upland field habitat. Hiking trail from Fire Station to Kickemuit River.
Weetamoo Woods
450 acres of hiking through ponds & forest areas in Tiverton. Picnic area.
West Bay & South Davis Memorial Wildlife Refuge (ASRI) ............... 949-5454
Davisville Rd, N. Kingstown
96-acre property of woods/wetlands on the Hunt River - canoe access.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge (ASRI) ............... 949-5454
Pardon Joslin Rd, Exeter. 937-acre property contains fields, diverse forest habitats, pond, streams (waterfall), and historic cemetery. Wonderful scenery and hiking. Birthday parties are available (see Powder Mill Ledges).
George B. Parker Woodland (ASRI) ............... 295-8283
1670 Maple Valley Road, Coventry.
A 800-acre property consisting of majestic old forest, brooks, fields, and mysterious rock cairns. The caretaker's house was built in the 1700s. Over 8 miles of trails.
Kimball Wildlife Sanctuary
(Now managed by RIDEM, Part of Burlingame State Park)
180 Sanctuary Rd, Charlestown
A 29-acre gem located on the southern shore of Watchaug Pond. The land abuts Burlingame State Park and the Kettle Pond section of Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge. Trails lead from the refuge to the state and federal land.
Long Pond Woods (ASRI) ............... 949-5454
North Road, Rockville. A beautiful 218-acre parcel of stately hemlocks and rock outcrops bordering Long & Ell Ponds. Part of a large conservation area with trails connecting to CT.
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge (ASRI) ............... 949-5454
2082 Victory Highway (Route 102), Coventry. The Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge contains over 295 acres of diverse wildlife habitat consisting of upland forests, wetlands,
streams, ponds and open meadow. The 11-acre Carr’s Pond, situated entirely within the bounds of the property, is the centerpiece of the preserve. It is home to river otters as well as many types of freshwater fish and aquatic invertebrates. The land is comprised of a relatively mature and undisturbed closed-canopy forest and forested wetlands as well as developed understory - creating ideal conditions for migratory and forest interior birds. A 10-acre field near the head of the trail also provides excellent meadow wildlife habitat.
Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge ............... 364-9124
Charlestown. Freshwater ponds, shrublands, grasslands, barrier beach, salt marsh, and portion of the former Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing field. 4 miles of handicapped accessible trails.
Trustom Wildlife Refuge ............... 364-9124
Off Moonstone Beach Rd., S.Kingstown. Large brachish pond, grasslands, freshwater ponds and streams, shrublands, a barrier beach, and wooded uplands. 4.4 miles of handicapped accessible trails. Observation deck.
URI’s Environmental Education Center ............... 847-8200
W. Alton Jones Campus, 401 Victory
Highway, W. Greenwich. Guided walks and environmental programs.
Wilcox Park
Between High St. and Grove Ave., Westerly. 18 acres of flowers, trees, shrubs, a pond, large open meadow, 2 hills, fountain, sculptors, and a mile long paved walkway. Garden for the Senses. Band concerts, art festivals, Garden Market Fair, etc.
Nearby Massachusetts Caratunk Wildlife Refuge Audubon Society ............... 949-5454
301 Brown Ave., Seekonk, MA
Offers 200 acres of diverse habitat for native plants and animals. Summer Camps and environmental programs held year-round for all ages. Programs for scouts, senior citizens and other community groups by reservation. One of Audubon’s most popular hiking destinations with six miles of well-marked trails.
Beaches
Beach Info: www.riparks.com
Fun in the Sun!
Beach Info.
State Beaches
State residents pay $6 Mon. - Fri.; $7 on weekends and holidays. Nonresidents pay $12 weekdays; $14 weekends and holidays. A season pass is $30 for residents and $60 for non-residents. (Prices are per car.) Senior citizens pay half price. Life guards are on duty at State beaches daily, weather permitting, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Visit www.riparks.com for updates.