10 Best State Parks in Rhode Island

Stunning seasonal surroundings and top-notch educational institutions, all within one hour or less from gorgeous sparkling beaches, are just a couple of the reasons why new home buyers are making a dash for Rhode Island. A phenomenal business and employment sector combined with exciting outdoor recreation makes for the best of both work and play.

As you begin your search for the best places to live in Little Rhody, look for locations in close proximity to your favorite outdoor activities. It just so happens that in Rhode Island, you have your pick of some of the best parks in the country with ample opportunities to get outside and enjoy the untouched natural beauty.

Here are Rhode Island’s 10 best state parks to check out.

1. Colt State Park

Google Rating: 4.8

About an hour and a half south of Boston lies 464 acres of pure bliss. Colt State Park is located near historic Bristol, known for hosting the oldest U.S. Independence Day parade in the country. The park, which also borders on Narragansett Bay, is known for its sparkling beaches and winding trails. Four miles of paved pathways as well as natural hiking trails carved into the scenic East Bay Bike Path make for a lovely promenade on a mild summer day. Families often enjoy picnics along the state’s most popular shorelines or spend an afternoon enjoying kite flying or fishing. The compact nature of this beautiful gem allows visitors the rare opportunity in the winter for seaside snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

2. Brenton Point State Park

Google Rating: 4.8

Not far from Colt State Park, Brenton Point State Park, located on Newport’s renowned Ocean Drive, offers incredible views of Narragansett Bay as it intersects with the Atlantic Ocean. The park features the Portuguese Discovery Monument, which was dedicated in 1988 in honor of Portuguese navigators and those who took part in discovering many maritime routes. Today, thousands of visitors flock to the 89-acre park to enjoy its plentiful hiking, bird watching, saltwater fishing, and picnicking opportunities.  

3. Beavertail State Park

Google Rating: 4.8

Located in Jamestown, Beavertail State Park offers a breathtaking view of the New England coastline along with fascinating local history. Most people enjoy sightseeing along the rocky coastline on foot or by car, but others go on nature walks to explore the various geological formations, marine life, and diverse ecosystems. Saltwater fishing is also a popular activity among visitors in the warmer seasons. The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum provides the opportunity to take a step back in time to learn about Narragansett Bay and the region’s history within the worldwide shipping industry, and examine artifacts from the third-oldest lighthouse in North America.

4. Fort Adams State Park

Google Rating: 4.7

Fort Adams State Park is located at the mouth of Newport Harbor, giving it a stunning view of Narragansett Bay. From saltwater fishing to boating, soccer, and picnicking, the park is a great place to take a breath and enjoy a day outside. Notably, the park hosts popular festivals in the summers that attract Rhode Islanders from all over, including the annual Folk Festival and concerts such as the Jazz Festival. Windsurfing and sailing are also popular, with boats and equipment available for rent.

5. Lincoln Woods State Park

Google Rating: 4.6

Only a short drive from Providence, Lincoln Woods State Park is nestled in Blackstone Valley, making it a perfect hideaway for northeastern Rhode Islanders. Popular activities include freshwater swimming, trout fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and exploring the quiet woods. You will quickly find a peaceful place to enjoy family time or mindful solitude for a mental health reset.

6. Goddard Memorial State Park

Google Rating: 4.6

Located in Warwick, Goddard Memorial State Park is known for being Rhode Island’s most popular metropolitan park. A lush green oasis within the urban surroundings makes the park a peaceful place to enjoy a bit of respite during the day. From its nine-hole golf course to its fantastic equestrian show area, this city gem is hard to beat. The park is also home to a wide variety of trees, including deciduous and evergreen species. Extensive trails, including 18 miles of bridle trails, wind through the spacious forested areas, with more than 350 picnic tables along the way for a pleasant afternoon lunch in the shade.

7. Fort Wetherill State Park

Google Rating: 4.6

Known for being a major scuba diving hotspot in the Northeast, Fort Wetherill State Park is situated directly across the water from Fort Adams State Park. Its characteristic 100-foot-tall granite cliffs are majestic to view as they overlook the grand waters below. Gorgeous views of Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay abound with smooth-sailing ships and boat races. The public also enjoys taking advantage of the park’s abundant fishing, hiking, boating, and picnicking opportunities.

8. Pulaski State Park

Google Rating: 4.6

Nestled within the 4,000-acre George Washington Management Area, Pulaski State Park is the perfect storybook hundred-acre wood. The day use facility offers prime opportunities for trout fishing, trail hiking, picnicking, and swimming in the 13-acre Peck Pond. In the winter, visitors can also enjoy cross-country skiing along snowy trails. Any time of year, there is a little something for everyone to enjoy.

9. Haines Memorial State Park

Google Rating: 4.4

A quiet local scenery, Haines Memorial State Park is ideal for families looking for a bit of weekend fun. as it intersects with the East Bay Bike Path for a wistful afternoon ride. Located midway between Bristol and Providence, the park is perfect for enjoying a picnic under the shade trees or flying a kite. Haines Memorial State Park is also ideal for enjoying a fun family recreation day after Little League games taking place in one of two baseball fields. Sunny Saturdays just never seemed so bright!

10. Snake Den State Park

Google Rating: 4.4

Situated near Johnston, Snake Den State Park may sound a bit frightening at first. However, the park’s name doesn’t come from the six snake species that call it home, but rather is derived from a canyon-like stone fissure located on the site. The 1,000-acre property is mostly known for its widely undeveloped woods and trails. An amazing variety of biodiversity glimmers throughout the park’s foliage and many fascinating ecosystems. Visitors mostly enjoy the tree cover in the fall as the brilliant leaf colors overtake the forests with sweeping panoramic views.

Little Rhody

Interested in moving to Rhode Island? Learn more about living in the Ocean State by checking out some of our other articles, including the most affordable places, the safest cities, the best modular homes, and how to build a house in Rhode Island. When you’re ready to find your dream home, you can view new listings every day at NewHomeSource.com.

All parks have been ranked based on the criteria of popularity, distance from closest major cities, violent crime, property crime, Google ratings, and the number of Google reviews.