Grab your favorite hiking books and get ready for an adventure! Is your nature-loving soul looking for an escape from the mundane repetitiveness of the workweek? Great news! Some of the hikes on this list of the best hikes in Rhode Island will satisfy your need to get out in nature. Just an hour (or two) south of Boston or northeast of Connecticut, we’ve got everything you need for a beautiful day-trip “hike.”
Okay, I know, I know – Rhode Island isn’t exactly mountainous terrain, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some incredible spots to spend some time exploring nature. I was 24 years old before I discovered some of these places, so if you’re looking for something to do in Rhode Island, let this be your nature-themed guide to the best hikes in Rhode Island.
Exploring the Charm of Rhode Island
Nestled in the heart of New England, Rhode Island boasts a charm that captivates travelers from around the world. Despite its small size, the state is a haven for nature enthusiasts. From lush green landscapes to serene coastal views, Rhode Island is a (literal) little slice of heaven waiting to be explored.
We typically hike in the winter and spring before the weather gets too hot and humid, so these recommendations will mostly be for the cooler months of the year. That’s not to say these places wouldn’t be beautiful in the summer.
Best Hikes in Rhode Island:
Kelvin and I started hiking throughout the state in 2020 when the world shut down, and there was really nothing else to do but get out and be in nature. With a couple of our friends, Romeo & Maddy, the four of us would venture out into the cold every weekend (sometimes during the week) to get ourselves outside and escape our homes and apartments.
Fun fact: because of all that time spent together, that’s really how Mr. K and I eventually got together in the first place. What started as weekend day hikes eventually turned into weekend adventures, and suddenly, we were hanging out all the time, just the two of us. The rest, as they say, is history.
But, I digress – let’s dive into the heart of Rhode Island’s natural wonders. These hikes are not just trails but invitations to escape, rejuvenate, and create unforgettable memories.
Long Pond – Hopkinton
Long Pond is a 4.5-mile out-and-back trail that, according to AllTrails, is considered moderately challenging. I’ll be honest; it’s been many moons since we’ve done this trail because it’s not dog-friendly, so nowadays, we tend to avoid hikes that we can’t bring Lilo on.
All in all, though, I remember liking this hike a lot. This was one of the first few hikes we went on in 2020. We visited this trail in March, right about the time when the world shut down. Romeo, Maddy & Kelvin used to be avid birders, and this trail is an excellent spot for birding. As much as I love nature, I was mostly just along for the ride – I don’t know much about birds, but I do enjoy seeing & searching for them.
There are a lot of ups and downs on this trail; some segments require a bit of climbing, so that can be a workout. (This also means it can be slippery when wet/icy, so use caution!) The views at the end are totally worth it – this is a rewarding hike if you’re willing to put in the effort.
Great Swamp Management Area – West Kingston
Another hike just over 4 miles long (4.3 to be exact), Great Swamp is a loop trail with generally easy terrain to maneuver. There isn’t a significant amount of elevation change, depending on the direction you go in.
No matter what the weather’s like, I will warn you: be prepared for wind when you get to the pond/swamp. This area has very little foliage except for what surrounds the pond, making this wide-open space a wind tunnel.
AllTrails says this hike generally takes about an hour and a half, but we always tended to spend the better part of 3-4 hours on this trail, mostly birding. We once had the privilege of finding a swarm of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. I’m not kidding; there were dozens of them zooming around. Go check out Kelvin’s Instagram to see the pics. There’s always some wildlife to see on this trail, so if that’s your jam, you have to take a walk here.
This hike is kid- and dog-friendly, so we’ve been with Lilo multiple times. If you visit during hunting season, though, be sure to wear blaze orange for safety.
Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge – South Kingstown
This is another trail that doesn’t allow dogs – it is a wildlife refuge, after all. It’s a 2.5-mile loop that is typically pretty easy to complete, making it great for kids of all ages, though.
A portion of the trail forks directly to the water, so you have a full frontal view of the wildlife and pond. This is more of an out-and-back portion of the hike, but overall, it reconnects to the larger loop. I highly recommend taking a walk down this path.
Again, there’s plenty of wildlife to see here, so don’t miss your opportunity to visit.
Cumberland Monastery – Cumberland
Being from Cumberland originally, I’ve spent a lot of time running around the Monastery Trail. This relatively easy hike is about 3.4 miles, but depending on the loop you take, it can be shorter. It can be suitable for kids, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to bring a stroller on this trail as the terrain is relatively uneven, even though it’s mostly “flat.”
There’s usually a fair amount of people walking and mountain biking, and dogs are welcome (on leashes), so you’ll likely run into fellow explorers. This is also a place for geocaches.
There are a few historical monuments along this path, like Nine Men’s Misery, but the trail is not well marked, so if you’re unfamiliar with it, I’d consider downloading a map. This area has also been known to flood in certain places, so be mindful that it can get difficult to navigate due to water.
Dundery Brook – Little Compton
This is a super quick, fun little hike with a nice boardwalk that continues onto a dirt path for about half a mile. This trail is relatively accessible due to the boardwalk being a gentle grade with barriers & railings on the sides.
No dogs are allowed on this path, but it can still be a great family adventure with lovely views and plenty of bird-watching opportunities. If using a wheelchair, consider that all-terrain tires and motorized equipment might be needed for the remaining 0.6-mile dirt path.
When we encountered this path in February 2020, we chose not to continue far down the dirt path as it was incredibly muddy, and we didn’t have the right footwear. I’d highly recommend this hike for a quick and easy stroll through nature!
Blackstone Valley Bike Path
This almost 20-mile continuous path runs from Woonsocket to Valley Falls, RI. I’ve been through almost all of the bike paths (in separate segments, at separate times), but I’ve not done the whole stretch at once, and I’ve only ever walked the path, not biked it.
Whether you choose to bike or walk this out-and-back trail, you’ll pass historic mills, The Blackstone Canal, the Providence and Worcester Railroad, and the Blackstone River itself, which makes for some beautiful views. It’s a generally easy trail to maneuver that is wheelchair, and stroller-friendly. Dogs are also welcome on leashes.
This is a very popular trail, so prepare to encounter other people walking and biking – be mindful of the rules of the road while on this path. No matter where you start, I recommend walking from the Woonsocket directions towards Valley Falls (unless you begin the path there), as the views are much nicer leaving Woonsocket. There are plenty of parking areas along the way, and the path is well cared for.
Arcadia Management Area – Hope Valley
Not to be confused with Acadia National Park in Maine, Arcadia Management Area spans about 14,000 acres in Hope Valley, RI. It’s almost unfair for me to generalize this entire space as one adventure, but we’ve done a few different hikes here, and one we keep returning to is Breakhart Pond.
Breakhart Pond is a 6.7-mile loop that is moderately challenging, according to AllTrails, due to the grade change. Despite that, this loop is relatively popular for hiking, walking, and running, and dogs are welcome and allowed off-leash in some areas, so be prepared for encounters with others.
Another hike I have thoroughly enjoyed here is Browning Mill Pond, which is a 1.5-mile loop. If I remember correctly, this hike starts with a boardwalk, but once through that, it can be muddy in some areas, and when we visited, one of the bridges was out so we couldn’t make the full trek. Still, I’d recommend this trail for a light walk and birding!
Arcadia Management Area is another location where you’re required to wear orange during hunting season. The seasonal rules here change, so check how much orange you’re required to wear before coming, as you can incur fines if you do not properly meet the requirements.
Rocky Point State Park – Warwick
Not a hike at all; this is more of a walking trail that spans 1.6 miles. It’s a popular area for walking, birding, cross-country skiing, and fishing, so you’ll likely encounter other people here when you visit, no matter the time of year.
In the mid-1800s, this area was an amusement park, and as you walk around the grounds, you can still see the remnants of long-defunct rides. Still, it’s a beautiful open space for public use and offers more than an acre of shoreline. This is a great place to visit if you’re not interested in a deep-woods hike but still want to get outside and breathe fresh ocean air.
Napatree Point Conservation Area – Westerly
I’m not convinced this is a loop trail, simply because when we went hiking here, the back half of the loop was flooded out (due to poor planning on our part and the rising tide coming in), so we had to turn around and come back the way we came.
Because this is a beach, there are specific times when dogs are allowed throughout the year, and they must always be leashed. Dogs are not permitted on the beach between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. from May 2 to Labor Day yearly.
Otherwise, this is a 3.2-mile loop in Westerly and honestly beautiful. Kelvin is from Westerly, so he’s deeply familiar with the area and brought me here for the first time in November 2020. Since it was the off-season and colder, there were only a few other people out on the beach, and once we got to the point, there was no one around the loop. I’d come back and visit this place again; it was a great spot for seeing wildlife and particularly quiet (though that’s not always to be expected).
Sprague Farm – Chepatchet
I won’t lie; I’m not sure if we completed the entirety of this 3.7-mile loop when we visited. This trail sections off into a smaller loop (to the right) and then a much larger loop (to the left), and I believe we only ventured down one of those paths, not both.
Still, this hike was easy and great for birding, walking, or running. It can get pretty wet and slippery due to rainfall, leaf litter, and inclement weather, but it’s generally a nice, quiet hike with few other people on the trail. This trail has lots of history to share, including a cemetery and old stone foundations.
Beavertail Lighthouse – Jamestown
This is secretly (not so secretly anymore) one of my favorite spots to hike in Rhode Island. Kelvin and I have been known to bring Lilo down here for a walk and explore the cliffs, although they’ve now added signs that say not to venture out onto the rocks.
The Beavertail Lighthouse Loop is a 2.3-mile trail relatively popular for walking, running, and biking. Dogs are welcome and must always be on a leash. There are plenty of places along this loop to get a gorgeous view of the ocean. Part of the trail near the lighthouse becomes a “choose your own adventure” because it doesn’t necessarily follow a path. You can choose to follow the road here, but if you want to get back on the trail from the lighthouse, follow the Red Dot Trail heading back into the woods.
Scarborough State Beach – Narragansett
Again, I see you. I know I’m not really talking about “hikes” at all when the reality is that most of these locations are AT sea level, but if you’re looking for good ways to get out in nature, I’ve got you covered.
Scarborough State Beach does offer a couple of trails that are both over 3 miles long. I’ve been known to plan a spontaneous date night by ordering sushi and “forcing” Kelvin to drive us down to the ocean “after hours” so we can sit (usually in the rooftop tent), eat dinner, and enjoy the sound of the waves. My heart needs to be by the ocean, so inevitably, I find a way to make it onto the sand. If you’re looking to walk the length of the beach, it’s about 3.4 miles and offers beautiful views.
Quonochontaug Beach – Charlestown
Never have I ever walked the full 3.6-mile length of this beach, but we do sometimes drive on it in the off-season. If you are going to drive on the beach, make sure you have the right equipment to get yourself unstuck. Speaking from experience, if you want to read about the time Quonnie almost ate the 4Runner, do that, but definitely make sure you have a way to get out of the sand because AAA can’t help you.
Dogs aren’t allowed on the trail, but in the off-season, they are allowed on the beach, so we’ve never explored the actual trail before. It is kid-friendly, and there are plenty of activities to do outside of walking or running, but I highly recommend visiting this beach at least once.
Mowry Conservation Area – Smithfield
This is a fun and easy hike that is kid- and dog-friendly. Spanning less than a mile, this trail is popular for birding, fishing, and hiking – it’s got a little something for everyone. Of course, we went in the winter when there was basically no one around, which was nice, but it also made the entrance easy to miss.
Park on the side of the road across the street (you should be able to see the footbridge from across the way), and that’s how you know you’ve found it. We ended up having to turn around the first time because we buzzed right by it.
There’s plenty of wildlife to be found on this trail, so if you’re looking for an easy hike in northern Rhode Island, this might be a good place to start!
Slater Memorial Park – Pawtucket
Slater Memorial Park offers a loop trail that is about 2.6 miles long. This area is extremely popular for walking, biking, running, and many other activities, so you’ll likely encounter many other people when you visit. Dogs are welcome in the park and on the trail but must be on a leash.
The park often hosts various seasonal activities, like music, vendors, lighted decorations, haunted attractions, food, and more, so there’s plenty to do if you want to stick around and explore more than just the loop trail. There’s no shortage of unique experiences here.
The Cliffwalk – Newport
The Cliffwalk in Newport is a 7-mile out-and-back trail that gets you up close and personal with the Rhode Island coastline. Open year-round, this trail is considered moderately challenging, according to AllTrails.
Not only do you have a gorgeous view of the Atlantic Ocean, but you also have beautiful backyard views of the famous Newport Mansions for portions of the way. To view these mansions, follow the cliff walk from Easton’s Beach (First Beach) towards Bailey’s Beach. Even if you just walk this small section of the 7-mile stretch, it’s sure to be worth your time.
Note: At the time of writing this, January 2024, a small section of the trail between Narragansett Avenue & Webster Street is temporarily inaccessible due to structural damage.
What are the Best Hikes In Rhode Island?
Rhode Island can offer you gorgeous coastlines or lush forests teeming with wildlife. As you explore these trails, each step brings you a little closer to discovering all of Rhode Island’s natural wonders.
So, what’s the best hike in Rhode Island? Honestly, that depends on what you’re in the mood for – the answer lies in your journey, the memories made, the connections formed, and the moments you find serenity along the way.
Happy hiking! 🥾
