Living in New England might mean having to deal with unpredictable weather and long winters, but every fall it suddenly becomes worth it! Autumn gives way to gorgeous changing foliage with vibrant shades of reds and orange, fantastic seasonal attractions like apple and pumpkin picking, hay rides, ghost tours, and so much more. One of the very best fall activities to enjoy is most certainly hiking through our beautiful old forests to catch the gorgeous changes in scenery. Knowing where to go to make the most of this time of year is important, so here’s a list of 10 of the best hikes in Rhode Island!

 

1. Weetamoo Woods, Tiverton
Weetamoo Woods & Pardon Gray Preserve, E Rd, Tiverton, RI 02878, USA
Derrick Devinney/AllTrails.com
Weetamoo Woods, a lovely lush forested area in the East Bay area of Little Rhody, is among the best hikes in Rhode Island. It offers fantastic interconnected trails and gorgeous scenery. Choose between three different trailheads and seven acres of combined trails.
2. Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge - Parking, 99 Pardon Joslin Rd, Exeter, RI 02822, USA
Marty Andrews/AllTrails.com
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge is a charming refuge that offers diverse habitats and wildlife, a waterfall, historic cemetery, and so much more! Find it off route 102 in Exeter.
3. Arcadia Management Area, Richmond, Exeter, Hopkinton, and West Greenwich
Arcadia Management Area, 260 Arcadia Rd, Hope Valley, RI 02823, USA
Tim Spindler/Flickr
The 14,000 acres making up this amazing state recreational area offer countless trails to experience the most of fall. Each trailhead at Arcadia Management Area offers something a little different, but just as wonderful.
4. Glen Rock Reservoir, South Kingstown
Glen Rock Reservoir, South Kingstown, RI 02892, USA
Peter Rintels/Flickr
The walking trails surrounding the reservoir near historical Kenyon's Grist Mill offer beautiful scenery and easy-to-navigate terrain. If you're feeling extra adventurous, we suggest renting a kayak and taking it through the Queen's River to see the foliage by kayak.
5. Lincoln Woods, Lincoln
Lincoln Woods Road, Lincoln Woods Rd, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA
The Celebrated Mr. K/Flickr
Lincoln Woods, one of the most scenic hikes in Rhode Island, is situated within a fantastic state park that is a perfect place for a casual stroll through the woods. It offers 627 acres of beautiful forest, a massive and beautiful pond, and other exciting features.

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6. Fort Nature Refuge, North Smithfield
Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge, 1445 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI 02896, USA
Chris Depta/AllTrails.com
Fort Nature is a small, but stunning preserve in North Smithfield. It is conveniently located off Route 5 and so worth visiting.
7. Lime Rock Preserve, Lincoln
Lime Rock Preserve, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA
Serg Aragao/AllTrails.com
Walk through a gorgeous forested bed of bright orange and yellow leaves at the fantastic Lime Rock Preserve in Lincoln. In case you're a city dweller, it's also just 10 minutes from Providence so you can experience the fall without traveling far. It is also one of the most kid-friendly hikes around Rhode Island.
8. Goddard Memorial State Park, Warwick
Goddard Memorial State Park, 1095 Ives Rd, Warwick, RI 02818, USA
Gary Brownell/Flickr
If you search for "scenic hikes in Rhode Island," Goddard Memorial State Park will certainly rise to the top of the list! When here, you can choose a hike around breathtaking small streams painted with the fallen leaves, stroll along the beach, or walk through the field! Goddard Park offers so many beautiful choices off Ives Road in Warwick.
9. Ell Pond Preserve, Hopkinton
Ell Pond Preserve Trailhead, 445 North Rd #433, Hopkinton, RI 02833, USA
Christopher West/AllTrails.com
Offering one of the most scenic hikes in Rhode Island is the spectacular Ell Pond Preserve. You'll also experience eye-catching Red maple and Atlantic white cypress lining the trail at this beautiful kettle hole area of Hopkinton.
10. Bowdish Lake, Glocester
Bowdish Lake Camping Area, 40 Safari Trail, Chepachet, RI 02814, USA
Adam Jerscheid /AllTrails.com
Hiking around Bowdish Lake is a perfect way to take in the changing foliage. Staying for the weekend at the Bowdish Lake Camping Area is also highly encouraged!

Have you been to any of these wonderful places? Which ones were your favorites? We’d love to see your photos and hear about your experiences!

If you’re looking for other amazing things to experience in The Ocean State, check out this awesome lighthouse road trip itinerary.

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Best hikes in Rhode Island

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | July 30, 2022

Are there any waterfall hikes in Rhode Island?

You’re in luck because there are quite a few beautiful waterfall hikes in the Ocean State. Among them are Shannock Falls, Stepstone Falls, and the falls at Slater Mill Dam, just to name a few places. Each offers its own unique scenic beauty so be sure to pack your camera along with your hiking boots! 

I’m looking for a romantic getaway in Rhode Island.

That’s an easy one because everywhere you look in Rhode Island you’ll fall in love! It is truly one of the most beautiful states in the country. If you’re in the Providence area, you might try booking a few nights at the Christopher Dodge House Bed and Breakfast Inn. The setting is very historic, in that the structure was built in 1858. Guests here stay in beautifully appointed rooms and enjoy some of the most amazing breakfast fare. A romantic getaway here will not soon be forgotten. 

Can you suggest a place to go for a swimming hole?

The Ocean State is awash in fun and picturesque swimming holes. There is a really cool one that is sort of a hidden gem in Pulaski State Park. It’s called Peck Pond, and although most people refer to it as a swimming hole, it is actually a 13-acre lake. Nonetheless, it is one of the best places to get cool in the summer and enjoy the foliage in the fall. Heck, any time is a great time to come here!

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