The 10 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas in Rhode Island, United States

June 10, 2021 Natalie Tallman

With the perfect combination of great seaside views, colorful local culture, and endless family activities, Rhode Island is a big vacation destination in a small package. Whether you are into art and culture, beautiful seaside sights, or great family-friendly activities, there is sure to be something for you in Rhode Island. If you're staying in Newport, try a breathtaking tour of the harbor in the Schooner Madeleine, or enjoy a bit of history at Fort Adams State Park. The Newport mansions are one of the most popular attractions around, and the nearby Cliff Walk is a great place for a hike. Narragansett is home to the lovely Narragansett Town Beach and Point Judith Lighthouse, and if you hop on the Block Island Ferry you are only a short trip away from Block Island, where you can enjoy the sights of the Mohegan Bluffs or party it up at Capt. Nick's Rock and Roll Bar. Take a drive up to Providence for some great shopping at Providence Place Mall and to visit the unforgettable Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Restaurants in Rhode Island

1. Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge Headquarters, 50 Bend Road, RI +1 401-364-9124 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/trustom_pond
Excellent
95%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 20 reviews

Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge

Free refuge which has trails over fields and around salt marshes.

Reviewed By SusanD678 - Narragansett, United States

National wildlife refuge in coastal RI will not disappoint if you enjoy serenity and beauty. Lookout platforms available for close up views of wildlife. So nice seeing a deer enjoying his habitat. Sunset on Moonstone Beach indescribable ..

2. Napatree Point

Fort Road, Westerly, RI 02891 +1 401-348-2500 http://www.rifamiliesinnature.org/2015/08/18/napatree-point-conservation-area/
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 144 reviews

Napatree Point

Watch Hill bird sanctuary.

Reviewed By Davidcarmytraveler - Coventry, United States

We came for Memorial Day and got there about 10:30. Thankfully it wasn’t very crowded. You pass the watch hill yacht club and walk over the dunes and drop down on to this beautiful beach. It goes way out into the water and has beach on both sides. There are great views of the watch hill light house and all the boats. It’s the only place we have been that you can play on the dunes. There isn’t much public parking so go early. 2 hours free on the street and 2 hours free in the shopping parking lot; or spend 20-30 dollars for all day in the paid lot. This is a must visit beach in RI, off season or now during covid is probably the best time to go.

3. Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge

Touisset Road, Warren, RI 02885 http://www.asri.org/refuges/touisset-marsh-wildlife.html
Excellent
79%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 14 reviews

Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge

Reviewed By mgerhardt - Providence, United States

Nice loop trails. Can be wet after a rain or a really high tide. Some nice water views and lots of varied terrain- fields, marsh, uplands. Even some installed art along the trails

4. Dundery Brook Trail

Meetinghouse Lane Veteran's Field, Little Compton, RI 02837 http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/rhodeisland/placesweprotect/dundery-brook-trail.xml#directions
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

Dundery Brook Trail

5. Doug Rayner Wildlife Refuge

111 George St, Barrington, RI 02806-1719 http://blct.org/blct/?page_id=541
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Doug Rayner Wildlife Refuge

6. Spruce Acres Farm Trail

1286 E Main Rd, Middletown, RI 02842-5373 +1 401-849-2799 https://ailt.org/trails-maps/spruce-acres-farm/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Spruce Acres Farm Trail

7. Sachem Pond Wildlife Refuge

New Shoreham, Block Island, RI
Excellent
54%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Sachem Pond Wildlife Refuge

A freshwater refuge with abundant wildlife.

8. Nathan Mott Park

New Shoreham, Block Island, RI
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

Nathan Mott Park

Block Island's oldest park teeming with wildlife.

9. Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

Middletown, RI +1 401-364-9124 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Sachuest_Point/visit/directions.html
Excellent
78%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 310 reviews

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

A rich variety of habitats from salt and freshwater marshes, to grasslands to sandy beaches and dunes make this 242-acre nature refuge an excellent destination for outdoor and birding enthusiasts.

Reviewed By mgerhardt - Providence, United States

Looking for an easy beautiful walk? Drive past Second Beach in Middletown to this refuge. The building is closed due to Covid 19 but there is parking and all the trails are open.

10. Rodman's Hollow

New Shoreham, Block Island, RI
Excellent
63%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 62 reviews

Rodman's Hollow

Wildlife refuge formed by glaciers.

Reviewed By AlexB10499 - Providence, United States

The birthplace of Block Island’s conservation movement, and one of New England’s most remarkable coastal landscapes. Rodman’s Hollow is a place that’s better seen than described, but I’ll do my best to give you a sense of it. From its trailhead off Cooneymus Road, the hollow appears as a vast, forested basin in the land. Created by the same glaciers that made New England’s present geography, you descend into the hollow along the primary trail, Black Rock Road. You can take smaller paths to your left and right to go further into the forest, but I love to follow Black Rock Road until it begins to rise again out of the basin. Somehow the colors of the sky and wild grasses seem more intense in that place — clouds seem to sit on hilltops, and you catch sea breezes at each crest until you begin to see the ocean. From there you can follow paths along the Black Rock Bluffs at the southern shore, which offer some of the Island’s best views. In spring, the many shad trees in the Hollow bloom into a silver color, which is a beautiful sight to take in from the trailhead.

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