It’s no secret that Rhode Island is a small state with big offerings. Natural attractions are at the top of the list of great places to visit in the state! While there are a few state parks that tend to get most of the glory, other parks and management areas are equally worth visiting. These 6 state parks to visit in Rhode Island have gone relatively unnoticed, and you’ll want to check them out.

  1. Pulaski State Park, Glocester

Yelp/Paul M.

Yelp/Paul M. Found at 151 Pulaski Road in the charming town of Chepachet is this wonderful park. This gorgeous natural escape is set on 1000 acres of beautiful forest amidst George Washington Management Area. There are many different hiking trails to choose from, and even a pristine swimming hole. To learn more, visit the website for Pulaski State Park. 151 Pulaski Rd, Chepachet, RI 02814, USA

  1. Haines Memorial State Park, Barrington

Yelp/Brian S. Just a few miles south of Providence in Barrington is Haines Memorial State Park. Baseball fields, picnic areas, and boating facilities all make this place so worth exploring. Find it off Haines Park Road. To learn more, visit the website for Haines Memorial State Park. Haines Memorial State Park, Haines Park Rd, Barrington, RI 02806, USA

  1. Rocky Point, Warwick

Yelp/Anne C.

Yelp/Kim U. This lovely park pays tribute to the beloved amusement park that once stood here. The walking path is an easy-going walk through some memorabilia with lovely oceanic views. Find it off Rocky Point Avenue in Warwick. Check out the website for Rocky Point State Park to learn more. Rocky Point, Warwick, RI 02889, USA

  1. World War II Veterans Memorial State Park, Woonsocket

Wikipedia This 14 acre park occupies an area of the city of Woonsocket known as the “social flatlands.” Textile mills once operated in this part of the city and the park is now known for its annual Autumnfest celebration on Columbus Day Weekend. Find this park on Social Street in Woonsocket. Visit the website for World War II Veterans Memorial State Park to learn more. World War II Memorial Park, Social St, Woonsocket, RI 02895, USA

  1. John H. Chafee Nature Preserve, North Kingstown

Yelp/Cathy L. This nature preserve occupies a sprawling forested area in the small town of North Kingstown. Enjoy lovely hiking through historic New England forests at its location on Boston Neck Road off Route 1A. Visit the website for John H. Chafee Nature Preserve to learn more. John H. Chafee Rome Point Preserve, 1344 Boston Neck Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852, USA

  1. Arcadia Management Area

Flickr/Tim Spindler As the state’s largest and most magnificent recreational area, great hiking trails are not only diverse, but also magical. The whopping 14,000 forested acres have dozens of trail options. I suggest exploring them all! To learn more, check out the website for Arcadia Management Area. Arcadia Management Area, 260 Arcadia Rd, Hope Valley, RI 02823, USA

What are your favorite state parks to visit in Rhode Island? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. And if you want to visit even more spectacular places, these nine state parks in Rhode Island will knock your socks off.

Yelp/Paul M.

Found at 151 Pulaski Road in the charming town of Chepachet is this wonderful park. This gorgeous natural escape is set on 1000 acres of beautiful forest amidst George Washington Management Area. There are many different hiking trails to choose from, and even a pristine swimming hole. To learn more, visit the website for Pulaski State Park.

151 Pulaski Rd, Chepachet, RI 02814, USA

Yelp/Brian S.

Just a few miles south of Providence in Barrington is Haines Memorial State Park. Baseball fields, picnic areas, and boating facilities all make this place so worth exploring. Find it off Haines Park Road. To learn more, visit the website for Haines Memorial State Park.

Haines Memorial State Park, Haines Park Rd, Barrington, RI 02806, USA

Yelp/Anne C.

Yelp/Kim U.

This lovely park pays tribute to the beloved amusement park that once stood here. The walking path is an easy-going walk through some memorabilia with lovely oceanic views. Find it off Rocky Point Avenue in Warwick. Check out the website for Rocky Point State Park to learn more.

Rocky Point, Warwick, RI 02889, USA

Wikipedia

This 14 acre park occupies an area of the city of Woonsocket known as the “social flatlands.” Textile mills once operated in this part of the city and the park is now known for its annual Autumnfest celebration on Columbus Day Weekend. Find this park on Social Street in Woonsocket. Visit the website for World War II Veterans Memorial State Park to learn more.

World War II Memorial Park, Social St, Woonsocket, RI 02895, USA

Yelp/Cathy L.

This nature preserve occupies a sprawling forested area in the small town of North Kingstown. Enjoy lovely hiking through historic New England forests at its location on Boston Neck Road off Route 1A. Visit the website for John H. Chafee Nature Preserve to learn more.

John H. Chafee Rome Point Preserve, 1344 Boston Neck Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852, USA

Flickr/Tim Spindler

As the state’s largest and most magnificent recreational area, great hiking trails are not only diverse, but also magical. The whopping 14,000 forested acres have dozens of trail options. I suggest exploring them all! To learn more, check out the website for Arcadia Management Area.

Arcadia Management Area, 260 Arcadia Rd, Hope Valley, RI 02823, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

state parks to visit in Rhode Island January 17, 2022 Elisa Regulski What are the most beautiful hikes in Rhode Island? Don’t be fooled by the size of this state. There are so many wonderful things to do outside in Rhode Island. We especially love visiting Lime Rock Preserve in Lincoln. This gorgeous area is home to some of the best hiking trails in Rhode Island! Plus, these trails are super easy and great for the whole family. To learn more, check our top 10 easy hiking trails in Rhode Island. Are there any swinging bridges in Rhode Island? Yes! And if you were to visit just one swinging bridge in Rhode Island, make it the Claiborne Pell Bridge. Not only does it span some mesmerizing views, it’s also the longest swinging bridge in the state! What are the best beaches in Rhode Island? Eager for a beach day? Why not? It is one of the best things to do outside in Rhode Island, after all. Mackerel Cove Town Beach, located in Jamestown, is home to gorgeous sands and blissful horizons. Goosewing Beach Preserve, located in Little Compton, has some rocky areas, but the views are unbeatable. We also love relaxing at Blue Shutters Town Beach in Charlestown. Need more ideas? Check out these seven pristine hidden beaches in Rhode Island.

The OIYS Visitor Center

state parks to visit in Rhode Island

January 17, 2022

Elisa Regulski

What are the most beautiful hikes in Rhode Island? Don’t be fooled by the size of this state. There are so many wonderful things to do outside in Rhode Island. We especially love visiting Lime Rock Preserve in Lincoln. This gorgeous area is home to some of the best hiking trails in Rhode Island! Plus, these trails are super easy and great for the whole family. To learn more, check our top 10 easy hiking trails in Rhode Island. Are there any swinging bridges in Rhode Island? Yes! And if you were to visit just one swinging bridge in Rhode Island, make it the Claiborne Pell Bridge. Not only does it span some mesmerizing views, it’s also the longest swinging bridge in the state! What are the best beaches in Rhode Island? Eager for a beach day? Why not? It is one of the best things to do outside in Rhode Island, after all. Mackerel Cove Town Beach, located in Jamestown, is home to gorgeous sands and blissful horizons. Goosewing Beach Preserve, located in Little Compton, has some rocky areas, but the views are unbeatable. We also love relaxing at Blue Shutters Town Beach in Charlestown. Need more ideas? Check out these seven pristine hidden beaches in Rhode Island.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Don’t be fooled by the size of this state. There are so many wonderful things to do outside in Rhode Island. We especially love visiting Lime Rock Preserve in Lincoln. This gorgeous area is home to some of the best hiking trails in Rhode Island! Plus, these trails are super easy and great for the whole family. To learn more, check our top 10 easy hiking trails in Rhode Island.

Are there any swinging bridges in Rhode Island?

Yes! And if you were to visit just one swinging bridge in Rhode Island, make it the Claiborne Pell Bridge. Not only does it span some mesmerizing views, it’s also the longest swinging bridge in the state!

What are the best beaches in Rhode Island?

Eager for a beach day? Why not? It is one of the best things to do outside in Rhode Island, after all. Mackerel Cove Town Beach, located in Jamestown, is home to gorgeous sands and blissful horizons. Goosewing Beach Preserve, located in Little Compton, has some rocky areas, but the views are unbeatable. We also love relaxing at Blue Shutters Town Beach in Charlestown. Need more ideas? Check out these seven pristine hidden beaches in Rhode Island.