Even the most extroverted among us will likely agree that a little bit of quiet is oh-so-good for the soul. Finding that quiet, on the other hand, can pose some problems, especially in a world where we’re always connected. That’s what makes nature so perfect. We can turn off our phones – or maybe just lower the ringer – and spend time soaking up everything that’s around us – the flowers, the trees, and the birds. One wander along this nature trail, one of the best hikes in Rhode Island, will likely have you coming back again and again.

Sprawled across 1,100 acres, Francis C. Carter Memorial Preserve is the second largest nature preserve in Rhode Island, and it's the perfect place for getting lost in nature.
All Trails/John Calia
Spring hikes in Rhode Island aren't difficult to find; this is one of the best.
While four loop trails wind through the lush Rhode Island nature preserve, the 3.6-mile Moraine Loop & Pasture Loop Trail is perfect for both the kiddos and the pups.
All Trails/Christopher LeBlanc
If you bring your pooch on one of the best spring hikes in RI, make sure he's leashed and pick up after him. Follow the pack-in pack-out mantra. Whatever you take with you on your hike, bring it back out.
The trail snags an easy rating, although it does have slight elevation along the way, so keep that in mind before setting off.
All Trails/Christopher LeBlanc
A sturdy pair of hiking shoes will serve you well as some areas may be overgrown and there are sometimes tree roots jutting out of the ground. Keep an eye on the ground, so you don't trip or twist an ankle on one of those rocks or roots.
One of the highlights of the trail, if you're hiking during the warmer months, is the fields of some of the prettiest flowers in Rhode Island.
All Trails/Tim Mooney
Remember to stop and smell the flowers, but leave them as you've found them.
If you like variety, you'll love this picturesque path that winds through fields and forests.
All Trails/Kimberly Sullivan

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You might even pass bushes of wild blueberries and...
All Trails/Lori Baltruchitis
Grassland as far as the eye can see. This is one trek you do not want to forget your camera, sunscreen, bug spray (especially in the warmer months, it can get really buggy), and plenty of water.
All Trails/Christopher LeBlanc
Unique rock formations, formed by glaciers, dot the landscape.
All Trails/Dawn Converse
Make sure your smartphone is charged or bring a camera. So many photo-worthy moments await along one of the best hikes in RI.
One important thing to note for your visit. You must wear florescent orange - a hat or a vest - during bow hunting season, which runs annually from September 15 to January 31.
All Trails/Jordan Diminich
Please note that bow hunting is not permitted in all areas of the preserve.
Learn more about Carter Preserve on the Nature Conservancy website.
All Trails/Michael O’Reilly

Have you followed Moraine Loop and Old Pasture Loop? What did you think? Do you agree that it’s one of the best hikes in Rhode Island? Share your experience in the comments! Then discover why Charlestown is perhaps the most peaceful place in Rhode Island. When you’re ready to explore more, check out all of the best hiking trails in Rhode Island on AllTrails.

Charlestown Is A Small Town In Rhode Island That Offers Plenty Of Peace And Quiet

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More to Explore

Spring In Rhode Island

Beth Price-Williams | March 31, 2024

What are some of the best spring hikes in Rhode Island?

After a long cold winter, there’s little more we want than to spend as much time as we can outdoors. One of the best ways to do that is on one of the best spring hikes in Rhode Island. Here are a few to get you started.

  • Cliff Walk – Newport
  • World War II Memorial Loop – Smithfield
  • Carr’s Pond and Tarbox Pond Trail – Coventry
  • Stepstone Falls via Ben Utter Trail – West Greenwich
  • Rome Point Trail – Saunderstown


What are some of the best things to do in Rhode Island in spring?

Spring is the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy all that Rhode Island has to offer. Here are just a few of the best things to do in Rhode Island in spring:

  • Tiptoe past the tulips – and pick ‘em – at Wicked Tulips Flower Farm in Johnston and Exeter. (There’s even a location in Connecticut.)
  • Pick your own flowers at Dame Farm and Orchards in Johnston.
  • Stroll past breathtaking rhododendrons and azaleas at Kinney Azalea Gardens in Kingston.
  • Enjoy a day out with the family at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence.

 

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Francis C Carter Memorial Preserve, Narragansett Trail, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA