Rhode Island may be small, but between our sweeping coastline, coastal salt ponds, and hundreds of acres preserved by the Westerly Land Trust, you could spend days exploring without walking the same path twice.
Whether you are looking for a breezy beach walk, a quiet stroll under a canopy of hardwoods, or a scenic trek across glacial ridges, these are the Rhode Island hiking trails we love sharing with guests staying at our New England bed and breakfast.
Napatree Point Conservation Area
Fort Rd, Westerly
Extending from the edge of Watch Hill village, this narrow spit of sand stretches out between Little Narragansett Bay and the open Atlantic Ocean.
The path leads you about a mile out along the shoreline toward the ruins of Fort Mansfield. Along the way, you’ll enjoy uninterrupted views of the Watch Hill Lighthouse, Stonington, Fishers Island, and Montauk off in the distance. Because it’s entirely exposed to the ocean, it feels wild and open in every season. If you time it right, the sunsets from the point are some of the best in Rhode Island.
Wilcox Park
44 Broad Street, Westerly
If you’re not up for a true hike or just want an easy walk before dinner, Wilcox Park in downtown Westerly is one of our favorite places to be and features 15 acres of winding paved paths, specimen trees, a stone fountain, and manicured gardens.
Fun Fact: The park was designed by Warren Manning, the very same landscape architect who laid out the original grounds and garden layout here at Margin Street Inn.
Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park
5 Kettle Cl, Westerly
Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park has a mix of woods, wetlands, rocky ridges, and kettle ponds left behind by the glaciers that shaped this part of Rhode Island. The trails wander through the preserve rather than following one long route, so you can choose how much ground you want to cover.
As you climb the higher ridges, the trees open up to offer elevated views over Winnapaug Pond and Block Island on a clear day.
Lathrop Wildlife Refuge
102 Shore Rd, Westerly
Managed by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, this 86-acre refuge sits along the northern shore of Winnapaug Pond. The trail here is short (less than a mile round-trip), leading gently through coastal shrubland and freshwater wetlands down to the edge of the salt marsh.
It’s an easy, flat walk that’s particularly popular in the early morning for birdwatchers. Keep your eyes open for egrets, willets, and songbirds along the water’s edge.
Avondale Farm Preserve
Grassland Wy, Westerly
If you’d rather walk through wide-open fields than thick woods, head to Avondale Farm. It’s 50 acres of former pasture land right near Avondale village that’s been allowed to return to coastal meadow.
The property features a smooth, wide 0.6-mile paved loop alongside mowed grass trails that crisscross the fields, so footing is solid and easy for almost anyone. The trails take you past historic stone walls, vibrant wildflower meadows, a stone memorial monument, and scenic overlooks of the tidal marsh. Because there aren’t heavy tree canopies in the way, you’ll regularly see bluebirds, swallows, and bobolinks flying over the fields.
Barn Island Wildlife Management Area
End of Palmer Neck Road, Stonington, CT
The 1,013-acre Barn Island property stretches along the coast in Stonington, with an extensive 15-mile trail system that crosses everything from wooded uplands to open fields and tidal marsh.
The trails include both single- and double-track sections, and some take you right alongside the marsh and shoreline. The landscape changes quite a bit as you move through the property, with pockets of forest giving way to wide-open views across the wetlands.
Barn Island is also a popular spot for spotting coastal wildlife and birds, so bring your binoculars! And because it’s a wildlife management area, you may encounter hunters during the appropriate seasons, so make sure to check the regulations before heading out.
Westerly Town Forest
32 Laurel Ave, Westerly
If you want to get out into the woods without driving very far, Westerly Town Forest is a good place to do it. There’s a small parking lot with trail access on Laurel Avenue, and once you’re on the trail, it feels much more removed from town than you might expect.
The trails wind downhill through the woods toward the Pawcatuck River, with a few different loops and connecting paths along the way. You’ll walk beneath a pretty dense canopy for much of the hike, cross a few small bridges, and eventually come alongside the river. There’s also a section that follows beneath the power lines, which opens things up a bit and gives you a different view of the surrounding woods.
The whole trail system is only a few miles, so you don’t need to set aside half a day for it. You can make a shorter loop or spend a little longer exploring the connecting trails. Just make sure you take a picture of the trail map when you get there or download one beforehand.
Barlow Nature Preserve
449 Westerly Bradford Rd, Westerly
This is where the Westerly Land Trust keeps its main offices, and it’s one of the easiest places in town for a quick morning walk. The property spans about 80 acres, anchored by an active working farm, a tiny farm stand right by the parking area, and a Little Free Library near the trailhead.
There are two main loop trails here, both completely flat and easy to navigate. The eastern loop runs behind the old farmhouse through quiet woods with trees labeled along the path, eventually crossing a wooden boardwalk over a swampy section. The western loop loops around a wooded peninsula along Newton Swamp.
Wahaneeta Preserve & Woody Hill
118 Moorehouse Rd, Westerly
Wahaneeta was a Girl Scout camp for decades, and you can still see parts of its past along the trail, including an old wooden cabin, an open pavilion, and a quiet pond. The main blue-blazed loop covers 73 acres of easy, shaded woods with a mix of tall pines and hardwoods.
The trails connect with the larger, 700-acre Woody Hill Management Area, giving you the option to continue on for a much longer hike rather than turning around at the preserve. The woods here are a mix of pine and hardwood, with some sections following old roads and others narrowing into typical New England woodland trails.
It’s one of the quieter spots in town, perfect if you’re looking to trade the beach crowds for the sounds of rustling leaves and birdsong.
Grills Preserve
198 Bowling Ln, Bradford
Grills Preserve is one of the largest properties protected by the Westerly Land Trust, with more than 500 acres and about six miles of trails. The trails run through the woods and wetlands and along the Pawcatuck River, with quite a bit of variety depending on which way you go.
The Orange Trail passes through pitch pine forest and by a large glacial rock called Big Rock before crossing a long boardwalk through the wetlands. You can also make your way toward Big Hill and Polly Coon Bridge, for a longer walk and explore the higher ground in the preserve.
A Few Tips for the Trails
- Wear Appropriate Footwear: Coastal walks like Napatree mean soft sand, while forest preserves like Champlin and Grills feature typical New England terrain with exposed roots and rocks. Comfortable walking or hiking shoes will make your trip much more enjoyable.
- Trail Maps: The Westerly Land Trust maintains a fantastic, up-to-date collection of printable trail maps on their website. Downloading a copy before you head out is always a good idea. Find them here:
https://westerlylandtrust.org/properties/trail-maps/ - Tick Safety & Bug Spray: Like much of coastal New England, ticks are active from spring through autumn. Stick to marked paths, wear bug spray, and do a quick check after walking through tall grasses or woods.
Walk the Trails, Then Unwind at the Inn
After a morning on the trails, there are plenty of ways to spend the rest of the day in Westerly. Stop for lunch downtown, head toward the coast, or simply come back to the inn and enjoy some time along the Pawcatuck River.
With so many preserves and trails close by, you can make hiking a small part of your stay or build an entire weekend around getting outside. And if you’re not sure which trail makes the most sense for your plans, just ask us. We know the area and are happy to point you in the right direction.
Plan your stay with us at Margin Street Inn and explore Westerly from the trails to the shore.