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Pack a bag of trail mix, strap on your hiking boots, and head out to one of Rhode Island’s beautifully scenic hiking trails! You’ll love the breathtaking views and lush natural forest you’ll find on your hikes at these five spots.
The Arcadia Management Area has it all for the outdoorsperson in your life. Wood River has great canoeing, there’s plenty of fishing and boating allowed, and there are miles and miles of clearly marked trails for hikers! Make sure to share the trails with the horseback riders and mountain bikers who also frequent this park.
While you’re exploring the trails of this wooded preserve, you might stumble across a World War II memorial hidden deep within. It will take about a half hour of walking along the World War II Memorial Trail before you come along this fascinating site, where in 1943 an Army Air Corps airplane crashed, killing three servicemen who are now honored there. Though the trail offers plenty of its own intrigue, you’ll want to stop by Mercer Lookout to catch sight of the Providence city lights in the distance.
Make sure to check out the thriving biodiversity on show at Ninigret Wildlife Refuge. You’ll love visiting in the fall, too, when the woods are exploding with color. At Ninigret, you’ll find over three miles of natural trails featuring interpretive panels, kiosks, and viewing platforms to get a great look at the surrounding wildlife.
This trail is a perfect spot for beginner hikers who aren’t trying to exhaust themselves. You’ll walk along easily navigable, flat trails that will take you to great bird-watching spots. Want more birds? Then add the nearby Norman Bird Sanctuary to your walk.
This charming 2.3-mile pond loop will take you on a beautiful waterside walk. Take a break on a bench or near an observation area, and then get right back up as there are four trails and 2,000 whole acres to explore!
