RINature.com

Silver Spring Fishing Area

2009-03-25T13:39:00Z

Stump Pond Fishing Area

2009-03-25T13:38:00Z

Mercer Lookout

2009-03-23T22:58:28Z

Hannah Robinson Observation Tower

2009-03-23T22:48:22Z

Rhode Island's shortest - and very likely highest - nature walk. The tower that makes Tower Hill what it is provided a fantastic view of the area and is well worth the three-minute stair climb to the top.

Shady Lea Grove

2009-03-23T22:35:38Z

Shady Lea Grove is a small picnic area on the side of Route 4, right at the intersection of Route 4 and Route 1. Not huge and not quiet, given the proximity to the highway, but a good place to sit and eat a sandwich.

Welcome to RINature.com!

2009-03-23T14:40:00Z

RINature.com is your guide to nature activities in Rhode Island. You'll find information about state parks and beaches, wildlife refuges and nature preserves. Whether you're a hiker, a birdwatcher or just looking for a quiet place to take a stroll, we can help you find the perfect place to enjoy the Rhode Island outdoors.

Our feature attraction is our map of nature locations in Rhode Island. You can use this map to quickly find great places to enjoy the outdoors near you. You can also use the category tree to the right to find places by town, county or type.

Please rate locations you've visited, and post comments about any you find noteworthy. We all want to hear what you think!

Here are some handy links to entry categories:

Popular Types
• State parks
• Audubon wildlife refuges
• National Wildlife Refuges

Locations in...
• Southern Rhode Island
• Northern Rhode Island
• Newport/Jamestown

Locations for...
• Hiking
• Wildlife observation
• Learning

Locations by entry date
• Most recent entries
• Archives by month

We want your input!
To submit information about a location, book, product or activity you'd like to see listed on RINature.com, please use our contact form.

Also, please create an account! Doing so will make it easier to post comments and (in the future) to enter information about new locations.

RINature Locations Map

2009-03-23T14:30:00Z

The map below shows all of the locations entered on RINature.com.

ON THE MAP YOU CAN:

• hover over a marker to see the name of the location
• click on a marker to see more information about that location
• double-click on the map to zoom in or right-click to zoom out
• click-and-drag to move around to different locations on the map

Cascade Brook Conservation Area

2009-03-21T23:43:51Z

Another secluded gem owned by the town of Smithfield. Cascade Brook is nestled just off Route 44 and features a nice circular path around the 27-acre property. The path crosses the area's namesake brook fairly early on and later, at one edge of the area, borders an apple orchard. The entire area is nicely wooded but also very open and airy.

The path is very rocky and hilly, though not necessarily difficult; our 4 year old had no problem with it, though younger children might. All in all a great place for a relaxing but not boring hike.

Durfee Hill Management Area

2009-03-16T02:13:37Z

We took a pleasant hike through part of Durfee Hill in early March. The (unpaved) road we walked on was easy to follow, even with a bit of snow on the ground. It's not necessarily the easiest walk, but the area is certainly quiet and peaceful. The only interesting thing we saw was a man-made waterfall, though apparently there's a good place to go rock climbing somewhere inside Durfee as well. All in all a good place to go for a hike in the woods.

According to the maps I've seen (here and here) there are apparently four or five separate areas that comprise Durfee Hill. We were clearly in the largest section; I look forward to exploring the others.

Cumberland Monastery

2009-03-10T02:22:08Z

Former home of a Cistercian monastery, the grounds now surrounding the Cumberland Public Library provide abundant opportunity for outdoor fun. The numerous dirt trails are fairly flat and well-packed, enough so that you can easily push a child in a stroller. The grounds contain both woodlands and fields as well as a stream and a few ponds, and even during our pre-spring walk we saw numerous birds and ducks. Some of the trees are even marked with their types, so walks can be both fun and educational.

In front of the library there is also a large and well-equipped playground that even includes a small outdoor theatre. After our most pleasant walk we unleashed the kids into the playground and enjoyed watching them play while we relaxed.

The monastery was a true delight, even on a cool mid-March day. I look forward to exploring it when the trees are green and the air is warn.

Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island: 40 Trails for Birders and Nature Lovers

2008-04-07T17:58:00Z

Who knew there was an entire book about scenic hikes in Rhode Island?! But that's just what Ken Weber's Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island: 40 Trails for Birders and Nature Lovers is. Each walk includes a map, difficulty ratings and a simple but complete description of what to expect. There were a few places in here I'd already heard of and been to, but by and large this is a great resource for new places to go for a hike. Well worth the money.

Buy a copy at Amazon.com or borrow a copy from your local library!

Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island

2008-04-07T17:55:14Z

The first of the books by Ken Weber, Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island: A Guide to the Natural and Historic Wonders of the Ocean State is a handy guide to many quiet spots in Rhode Island to walk or hike. Each location includes a map, brief description and driving directions. A great way to see some hidden parts of L'il Rhody!

Buy a copy at Amazon or borrow a copy from your local library!

Queen's River Preserve

2008-04-06T15:08:02Z

Pasquiset Pond Preserve

2008-04-06T15:00:37Z

Headwaters of the Wood River

2008-04-06T14:52:50Z