Hiking with kids has challenges, especially if you are taking the trip with little ones. You need trails that aren’t too long, not too steep, and not too rugged. Well just like Goldilocks was able to find a chair that was just right, here are some of the best hikes in Rhode Island that are short and kid-friendly and that are a perfect fit for the smaller members of your family.

1. Dundery Brook Boardwalk Trail, Little Compton

AllTrails/Hope Rymszewicz This inland boardwalk trail crosses wetlands on a scenic wooded journey. The boardwalk section is just 1/2 mile long and easy to traverse. This family-friendly trail is located at 29 Meetinghouse Ln., Little Compton, RI 02837. Dundery Brook Trail, 29 Meetinghouse Ln, Little Compton, RI 02837, USA

2. Rodman's Hollow, Block Island

TripAdvisor/Takemetoalaska Explore Rodman’s Hollow on a trail that is just 0.9 miles. The scenery is stunning with water views and bountiful berries and wildflowers in the summer. If you are out on Block Island, be sure to make time for this short and sweet hike. Visit Rodman’s Hollow off of Cooneymus Road. Walk down Black Rock Road and you’ll see a turnstile and wooden gate that are the entrance to the trail. Rodman’s Hollow, New Shoreham, RI 02807, USA

3. Avondale Farm Preserve, Westerly

Kevin Emery/Google Local Fresh air is in no shortage on this beautiful paved trail. The 0.6-mile loop is a great place for walking or biking and can accommodate strollers with ease. The native grasses whisper in the breeze as you traverse this loop. Find parking at the end of either Quail Run or Grassland Way in Westerly. Avondale Farm Preserve Parking, Westerly, RI 02891, USA

4. Mowry Conservation Area Red Trail, Smithfield

TripAdvisor/Emmjaie The delightful little red trail is less than 1/2 mile long and perfect for little legs. Cross a charming footbridge over the water and continue on a loop through the scenic pine grove. Visit this fantastic spot north of Stump Road on Old Forge Road between Farnum Pike (Route 104) and Log Road. Mowry Conservation Area, 41-199 Old Forge Rd, Smithfield, RI 02917, USA

5. Melville Park Blue Trail, Portsmouth

AllTrails/Sara Shevlin Melville Pond Nature Preserve has a variety of trails to choose from. The Blue Trail is perfect for little guys at just under a mile. Walk the loop for a new sight at every corner. Kids will love the little footbridges and tiny waterfall. Find this fun hike at 181 Bradford Ave., Portsmouth, RI 02871. Portsmouth, RI, USA

6. Jerimoth Hill,Foster

Google Images/Victor Martin Enjoy a quick 0.3-mile hike to a pretty cool spot. Jerimoth Hill is Rhode Island’s highest elevation. The trail itself only gains 10 feet in elevation so even small kids can handle this hike to the top of the world. Access to the trailhead is off of Route 101 in Foster and is marked by a sign on the road. Jerimoth Hill, Foster, RI 02825, USA

Which of these short kid-friendly hikes have you taken? Do have another favorite hike for the family that you’d like to add to this list. Share your trails and photos in the comments section below.

AllTrails/Hope Rymszewicz

This inland boardwalk trail crosses wetlands on a scenic wooded journey. The boardwalk section is just 1/2 mile long and easy to traverse. This family-friendly trail is located at 29 Meetinghouse Ln., Little Compton, RI 02837.

Dundery Brook Trail, 29 Meetinghouse Ln, Little Compton, RI 02837, USA

TripAdvisor/Takemetoalaska

Explore Rodman’s Hollow on a trail that is just 0.9 miles. The scenery is stunning with water views and bountiful berries and wildflowers in the summer. If you are out on Block Island, be sure to make time for this short and sweet hike. Visit Rodman’s Hollow off of Cooneymus Road. Walk down Black Rock Road and you’ll see a turnstile and wooden gate that are the entrance to the trail.

Rodman’s Hollow, New Shoreham, RI 02807, USA

Kevin Emery/Google Local

Fresh air is in no shortage on this beautiful paved trail. The 0.6-mile loop is a great place for walking or biking and can accommodate strollers with ease. The native grasses whisper in the breeze as you traverse this loop. Find parking at the end of either Quail Run or Grassland Way in Westerly.

Avondale Farm Preserve Parking, Westerly, RI 02891, USA

TripAdvisor/Emmjaie

The delightful little red trail is less than 1/2 mile long and perfect for little legs. Cross a charming footbridge over the water and continue on a loop through the scenic pine grove. Visit this fantastic spot north of Stump Road on Old Forge Road between Farnum Pike (Route 104) and Log Road.

Mowry Conservation Area, 41-199 Old Forge Rd, Smithfield, RI 02917, USA

AllTrails/Sara Shevlin

Melville Pond Nature Preserve has a variety of trails to choose from. The Blue Trail is perfect for little guys at just under a mile. Walk the loop for a new sight at every corner. Kids will love the little footbridges and tiny waterfall. Find this fun hike at 181 Bradford Ave., Portsmouth, RI 02871.

Portsmouth, RI, USA

Google Images/Victor Martin

Enjoy a quick 0.3-mile hike to a pretty cool spot. Jerimoth Hill is Rhode Island’s highest elevation. The trail itself only gains 10 feet in elevation so even small kids can handle this hike to the top of the world. Access to the trailhead is off of Route 101 in Foster and is marked by a sign on the road.

Jerimoth Hill, Foster, RI 02825, USA

To spend a little bit more time outside on a longer walk in the Ocean State, take one of these hikes that are 3 miles or less.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in Rhode Island March 22, 2022 SKS Best hikes in Rhode Island Rhode Island is a pretty small state, but don’t be deterred by its size. Within this small state are hundreds of hiking trails that are some of the best in New England and the entire northeast. Whether you like hikes along the ocean, lake, or through the forest, Rhode Island has lots of hikes that are a perfect way to spend your day. Cliff Walk The Cliff Walk is probably Rhode Islands’ most famous hike. At 7 miles long, this trail is bordered on one side by the ocean, and on the other side, by some of the biggest houses, you have ever seen. As you walk along the cliffs, you can admire the views and all the dogs that are out being walked. A majority of this trail is paved, but there are some rocky parts where you will want to have good shoes and walk carefully! World War II Memorial Loop If you are looking for a hike through the forest, the World War II Memorial Loop is the hike for you. At 4.5 miles long, this hike is the perfect opportunity to get outside for a relaxing stroll through the towering trees. Open year-round, this trail is popular with hikers and runners in the warmer months, and popular with snowshoers in the colder months.  Long Pond Woods Trail In the Rockville Management and Public Fishing Area you can find the Long Pond Woods Trail. This is another 4.5 mile hike that will give you great views of Long Pond from multiple points. Our favorite viewpoint is from above, but this trail will also take you closer to Long Pond for a portion of the hike, giving you a chance to walk along the water for a relaxing stroll. There are a few steps and rocks that you have to cross for this trail, so just be careful if it’s slippery!

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in Rhode Island

March 22, 2022

SKS

Best hikes in Rhode Island Rhode Island is a pretty small state, but don’t be deterred by its size. Within this small state are hundreds of hiking trails that are some of the best in New England and the entire northeast. Whether you like hikes along the ocean, lake, or through the forest, Rhode Island has lots of hikes that are a perfect way to spend your day. Cliff Walk The Cliff Walk is probably Rhode Islands’ most famous hike. At 7 miles long, this trail is bordered on one side by the ocean, and on the other side, by some of the biggest houses, you have ever seen. As you walk along the cliffs, you can admire the views and all the dogs that are out being walked. A majority of this trail is paved, but there are some rocky parts where you will want to have good shoes and walk carefully! World War II Memorial Loop If you are looking for a hike through the forest, the World War II Memorial Loop is the hike for you. At 4.5 miles long, this hike is the perfect opportunity to get outside for a relaxing stroll through the towering trees. Open year-round, this trail is popular with hikers and runners in the warmer months, and popular with snowshoers in the colder months.  Long Pond Woods Trail In the Rockville Management and Public Fishing Area you can find the Long Pond Woods Trail. This is another 4.5 mile hike that will give you great views of Long Pond from multiple points. Our favorite viewpoint is from above, but this trail will also take you closer to Long Pond for a portion of the hike, giving you a chance to walk along the water for a relaxing stroll. There are a few steps and rocks that you have to cross for this trail, so just be careful if it’s slippery!

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Rhode Island is a pretty small state, but don’t be deterred by its size. Within this small state are hundreds of hiking trails that are some of the best in New England and the entire northeast. Whether you like hikes along the ocean, lake, or through the forest, Rhode Island has lots of hikes that are a perfect way to spend your day.

Cliff Walk

The Cliff Walk is probably Rhode Islands’ most famous hike. At 7 miles long, this trail is bordered on one side by the ocean, and on the other side, by some of the biggest houses, you have ever seen. As you walk along the cliffs, you can admire the views and all the dogs that are out being walked. A majority of this trail is paved, but there are some rocky parts where you will want to have good shoes and walk carefully!

World War II Memorial Loop

If you are looking for a hike through the forest, the World War II Memorial Loop is the hike for you. At 4.5 miles long, this hike is the perfect opportunity to get outside for a relaxing stroll through the towering trees. Open year-round, this trail is popular with hikers and runners in the warmer months, and popular with snowshoers in the colder months. 

Long Pond Woods Trail

In the Rockville Management and Public Fishing Area you can find the Long Pond Woods Trail. This is another 4.5 mile hike that will give you great views of Long Pond from multiple points. Our favorite viewpoint is from above, but this trail will also take you closer to Long Pond for a portion of the hike, giving you a chance to walk along the water for a relaxing stroll. There are a few steps and rocks that you have to cross for this trail, so just be careful if it’s slippery!