You don’t have to give up on your fitness goals while enjoying your vacation because there are plenty of spots to walk in South County.
The region is full of places to get your steps in, whether you’re looking for a hike in the woods, a stroll through a scenic park, a wander to a secluded beach, or a trek around some historic downtown streets.
You can walk as long and far as you wish while experiencing these locations, and they are also full of unique places to stop as you explore. Here are five places to get your steps in while vacationing in South County, Rhode Island.
1) Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge
The Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge in South Kingstown features 787 acres of habitats, woodlands, beaches, and dunes, making it a great place to exercise. The park has four main trails – Farm Field Loop, Other Point, Red Maple Swamp, and Osprey Point – that provide plenty of different landscapes to appreciate as you stroll.
The trails here are easy to moderate in difficulty, making the refuge accessible for most visitors, and you might even see some snapping or painted turtles during your travels. Parking for the Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge is just off Matunuck School House Road, and the trails are easy to find because they begin right next to the main lot.
2) Wickford Village
Wickford Village is pretty small, but you’ll still do a fair amount of walking while exploring the community. Most visitors start on Brown Street or Main Street, which are full of boutique shops and restaurants in historic buildings, before continuing to other locations.
You can also wander to Wickford Town Dock and check out Gardner’s Wharf Seafood before heading around Wickford Cove to North Kingstown Town Beach. Once on the beach, the Wickford Art Association might call your name, or you can head north to the Poplar Point Lighthouse before returning to your vehicle.
There are plenty of places to visit in Wickford Village, and parking your car and walking to them is the best way to explore.
3) Wilcox Park
Downtown Westerly is an excellent spot to walk because you can head to the riverfront, visit the shops and restaurants on High Street, or cross the Pawcatuck Bridge into Connecticut. This area is also home to Wilcox Park, a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places and full of monuments dedicated to local heroes.
The park is large, scenic, and a great spot to wander while you get your exercise in the morning. It’s also right beside the historic Westerly Library and many other buildings you might want to check out while getting to know the town.
4) Central Street Historic District
Another history-filled region worth strolling through is the Central Street Historic District in Narragansett. This area extends from Ocean Road to Town Hall and was one of the country’s wealthiest neighborhoods in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Historic mansions still line the streets, some of which now host restaurants and other businesses, giving you plenty of spots to check out. Central Street is also home to the St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, a beautiful building from the late 1870s that will remind you of a grand European temple as you approach it.
It’s also possible to continue your walk to The Towers, Narragansett Town Beach, or the sea wall, if you’re motivated, as you can spend an entire day walking through this historic section of Rhode Island.
5) Ninigret Conservation Area
Perhaps the most scenic spot on this list is the Ninigret Conservation Area, which extends along the oceanfront between Blue Shutters Beach and the Charlestown Breachway. This spot features the secluded East Beach, a rustic location where you can find a section of private coast to call your own for the day, and access to Ninigret Pond.
Because the Ninigret Conservation Area extends so far, you can walk for hours while enjoying the various sights and sounds you encounter along the way. You can also drive on the dunes if you have an adequate vehicle and know of a particular section of the park you wish to explore.
Don’t Forget Your Walking Shoes
You’ll always have places to hike or walk when visiting South County, Rhode Island, so there’s never an excuse to neglect your exercise. Take the time to research some of the best places to get your steps in before booking your vacation rental, and remember to pack your walking shoes when visiting this scenic part of the country.