Parks

Black Hut Management Area
Black Hut Road Burrillville RI 02830  401-568-4300

1200 acre site for hunting and hiking.

Blackstone Gorge
North Smithfield RI  508-883-1500

May be the most breathtaking section of the Blackstone River and its last wild stretch. Here you can stand on the rocky cliffs and look down into the river 80 feet below. Here the Blackstone River cascades over the Rolling Dam and provides a rare glimpse of the heavily industrialized river as it looked 200 years ago. When the water levels are low, stepping stones allow the hiker to have access in crossing the river. DIRECTIONS: Follow Rte. 146 north to exit Rtes. 5/102. Go right at the end of the ramp onto Rte. 146A. At 1st light, to left onto St. Paul Street. Follow to end into Blackstone, Mass. Turn left onto Rte. 122 north, then bear left at next intersection (watch for Heritage Corridor site signs). After .6 mile, cross over bridge, then go left onto County Street. Park at the end of the street. The Rolling Dam is straight ahead; the gorge is through the woods on the left. There is a small parking lot.

Blackstone River State Park
Lower River Road bet Rte. 126 & Rte. 122 Lincoln RI 02865  401-333-1100

Located between the Blackstone River and Blackstone Canal, the riverfront park contains walking paths, canoe portage, and fresh water fishing. Historic walking tours along the canal built in 1828 are available.

Blackstone Valley Bicycle Path
Front Street, Pawtucket 401-723-7892 Fax: 401-724-7951

Will eventually be a 17 mile bikeway linking Woonsocket to Pawtucket, and eventually extending up to Worcester. The recently completed first leg is 7 miles from Front Street to the Blackstone State Park at the end of Lower River Road. The path is open to bikers, walkers, roller skaters and baby strollers. Parking is available at both ends. More details  Bikeblackstone.com

Buck Hill Management Area

1300 acre site for hiking and hunting.

Buck Hill Trail
Buck Hill Management Area

4.7 mile hike which has abundant wildlife. Along this trail are tiny ponds with nesting boxes which provide housing for the wood ducks. Hikers are actually walking in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. The stone wall indicates being close to the Masssachusetts border. A brook will bring you close to the Connecticut border. In the spring, you might even see a fox or a deer, not to mention other animal tracks. Along the trail are places to stop and rest. ACCESS: Take RI 100 north from Pascoag to Buck Hill Road and turn left. The entrance is 2.3 miles from the turnoff. You will pass a fire tower and a road for a Boy Scout Camp on your left, then a rifle range on the right, before reaching the gravel access road, also on the right.

Casimir Pulaski Memorial State Park
Rte. 44 Glocester RI 02814  401-568-2013

Located in the George Washington Management Area, it features freshwater swimming, picnicking, cross country skiing, sledding, camping, birdwatching and hiking. Also includes primitive tent and trailer campsites with fireplaces, tables, drinking water, toilets, and shelters.

Cass Park
Cass Ave Woonsocket RI 02895

Walking paths and benches, pond for fishing, tennis and basketball courts, baseball fields, skating rinks and street hockey courts, playground

Diamond Hill Park
Rte. 114 Cumberland RI 02864
401-728-2400

Named for its mile-long face of veined granite quartz, Diamond Hill is another great place to do some jogging or hiking, have a picnic and enjoy a free concert. The town sponsors the free Summer Concert Series in July and August. Climb to the summit and you can see for miles around on a clear day. Once you've gotten to the top of the former ski slopes (the smaller hill on the left is a much easier hike) you come to walking trails from which you can see the Diamond Hill Reservoir to the east and Woonsocket and beyond to the west. (Watch out for loose rocks and some shaky footing when near the top of the tallest ski slope). There are picnic sites throughout the park with permits required only for outings and barbecues. The pond in front of the bandstand is a favorite of kids looking for frogs and tadpoles. Bring a net and bucket for observing, but remember to return the catch to the pond when through. Bathroom facilities are open only on days at special events and outings by permit. The park is just a few miles north of I-295.

Dunn Park
Mason St Woonsocket RI 02895

Outdoor tennis

Durfee Hill Management Area

Connected to the George Washington Management Area, it contains 1400 acres of woodlands offering hiking trails and some hunting.

George Washington Management Area
2185 Putnam Pike Chepachet RI 02814  401-568-2013 

A 3,000 acre state-managed area for swimming, camping and hiking connected to the 100-acre Casimir Pulaski Memorial Park on the Burrillville-Glocester border. On Rt 44, 2 miles east of the Connecticut state line, 5.4 miles west from the junction of Rtes 44 & 102 Sites: 45 trailers facilities: Primitive tent & trailer camp-sites in a wooded area overlooking Bowdish Reservior. Swimming and hiking trails. (No pets allowed) RATES: Residents: $8; Non-residents: $12 Permits issued by the park ranger on a first come, first served basis. Shelters: $20 per night. Do not accepts buses or park passes. CAMPING SEASON: April 11 - October 15.

Glocester Heritage Park
Rte. 44 to Chestnut Road Glocester RI 02814 401-568-6209 

Walking trails.

Green Lake Beach & Georgiaville Beach
Lakeside Drive Smithfield RI 02917

Swimming.

Heritage Park Trail
Chestnut Oak Rd.

Parents will love the short hike, about 1.75 miles, perfect for little children. The trail is overflowing with wildlife. Along the trail are birdfeeders, picnic tables, a play area and shepherd's hut, a reproduction of the huts used before the area was returned to the forest. The hut is a low room with rock walls and grass growing on the roof. ACCESS: US 44 (between Harmony and Chepachet) to Chestnut Oak Rd. Turn west and proceed .4 miles to a sign and the parking lot on the left.

Jenks Park
Broad St Central Falls RI 02863  401-727-7455 

Built on land donated to the city by Alvin Jenks in 1890, the Park contains the Cogswell Clock Tower, erected in 1904. The Tower stands atop Dexter's Ledge, which was used as an Indian lookout during King Phillip's War in 1676. There is no charge to climb the tower and enjoy a spectacular view of the Valley. The city sponsors Sunday afternoon concerts throughout the summer, and the tower is open for observation on concert dates, and during special events and festivals. There are walking paths and a gazebo. HOURS: Open year-round from dawn to dusk.

Lincoln Woods State Park
2 Manchester Print Works Road, Rt. 146 & Rt. 123 Entrances Lincoln RI 02865
401-723-7892 

Features one of the area's largest freshwater beaches, the park includes swimming, picnicking, boating, baseball, freshwater fishing, horseback riding, naturalist and recreational programs, road races, special events, walking and jogging, snowmobiling and ice skating. There are 92 picnic tables and fireplace sites, 2 picnic shelters, 2 games fields, 1 little league field, 10 miles of bridal trails, a boat ramp, bathhouse, concession stand and information office. HOURS: Open year round.

Monastery, The and Nine Men's Misery
Rte. 114, Diamond Hill Road Cumberland RI 02864  401-728-2400

Site of a former Cistercian Monastery, portions of the original monastery buildings are still intact despite a fire in the 1950's. Home to the Cumberland Public Library. Also contains jogging and walking traits, and horseback riding is allowed. HOURS: Dawn to dusk.

Pierce Park & Riverwalk
High Street Central Falls RI 02863  401-727-7400

Site of Captain Michael Pierce's fight with the natives as part of the King Phillip's War in March of 1976, it is the city's first riverfront park and includes a scenic overlook, riverbank walkway and recreational facilities. HOURS: Daylight hours, year round. 

Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Audubon Society of RI
12 Sanderson Rd Smithfield RI  401-949-5454 

77 acre refuge of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, the Refuge contains over 2 miles of trails through pine forest and open fields, a library and a gift shop, in addition to being the Society's headquarters. The Audubon Society has dedicated the refuge for quiet walking, observing and learning about wildlife, capturing plants and animals with photographs, and protection of wildlife. Powder Mill has fine pine stands, a pond and a brook. There are 3 trails. The blue trail is 35 - 40 minutes, the orange trail is 15 - 20 minutes, and the yellow trail is 55 - 65 minutes. A complete trail trip is about 2 miles and takes about 90 minutes. DIRECTIONS: 295 to exit 7B onto Route 44 west. At the 3rd set of lights, turn left onto Route 5 (Sanderson Road). Turn left at the 2nd driveway. The refugee is located behind the mall. HOURS: Mon-Fri, 9-5 p.m.; Sat, 10-4 p.m.; Sun, 12 noon-4 p.m. OPEN: Dawn to dusk for trails. 949-5454.

River Island Park
Market Square Woonsocket RI 02895  401-762-6400 

Contains walkways, benches and a canoe launch are and provides an excellent view of the river, skating rink and bandstand. Site of Woonsocket's Riverfest.

Slater Memorial Park
Armistice Boulevard Pawtucket RI 02861 William Mulholland 401-728-0500x257

The Park offers 18 picnic sites, tennis courts and ballfields, gardens and walking paths, pony rides, the historic 1685 Daggett House and historic Looff Carousel, built in 1895. Pony rides for kids take place in the old zoo area, is now set up like a small farm. The Marconi Gardens, near the Armistice Boulevard entrance, is a popular spot for wedding photos, and include a footbridge and gazebo. Permits are required for photos. The Casino houses the RI Watercolor Society Art Gallery. HOURS: 9 am - 9 pm. See more info for hours and fees for individual attractions. More details

Spring Lake
Rt 102 to Spring Lake Rd to Black Hut Rd Burrillville RI

Fishing & boat launch, gravel slope ramp, no outboard motors; lake swimming, penny arcade machines from 1920 and 1930. More details

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Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, On the banks of the Blackstone, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island  02860 
1-800-454-BVTC (2882)  Local: 401-724-2200 Fax: 401-724-1342 info@tourblackstone.com