Review from September 3, 2025…read more For years I've had this place in mind because a friend recommended it, only to find out I had been once before. There isn't too much parking options (about 3, maybe 4 spots), but I also doubt it gets packed. We had our lunch on the rocks by the waterfalls before taking on the Ben Utter trail. One thing I noticed that's new is that there is a rope to swing on over the water. I tried it and it felt pretty secure. We were initially worried we'd get lost but there's essentially only one way there and back. The path does split a couple times into two different avenues but they eventually meet in the same location (I think it has to do with level of difficulty). Definitely bring good shoes with thick soles because the path is pretty rocky. My favorite part of the hike was seeing a black bear! We heard some rustling to our right and thought it might be another hiker, but then we saw that it was a bear walking around in the woods, about 40 feet from where we were. It did not even look our way, so I just stared in awe. The trail is about 1.5 miles together - there and back. We were tired after but we had done a different trail prior, and it was mostly because of the rocky terrain. It is very peaceful, and between the water and plants, there are good views.

Two ways to visit Stepstone Falls. One, you can simply park at the falls right off the road. I…read moreprefer the second option which is Ben Utter Trail for a quick up and back to enjoy! A short drive down Plain Road you will find the trail head and small parking options. Please note this is rock/dirt road and there was a gate (not sure of hours open/closed). The path follows the waterway for portions of the way up. Chances to view beaver activity and other wildlife along the way as you traverse up to the falls. While it is an easy short hike (approx 3 miles up and back) there are areas with downed trees and a lot of rock within the trail path to note for those that may have weaker ankles or slower movers. Good way to enjoy a quick afternoon in the woods with small falls to relax!

A hike that won't…read more break your heart The Breakheart Trial is one of the many trails in the the area that ends up (or starts) at Breakheart Pond. This is one of the main trails and despite it's imposing name really isn't very difficult. Sure some hills, rocks, roots and water but certainly nothing that is going to break your heart or any other part of your anatomy. I heard the name actually stated many decades ago when the oxen had to haul the corn and other farm veggies up a huge, rather steep hill and of course struggled to get up it. The hill may be tough if you're hauling a wagon full of rutabaga but for a hiker it's really not much of a challenge. The old names given to places usually have interesting stories behind them. I have heard that Roast Meat Road in Connecticut received it's name because of a rather unfortunately incident in which a wagon of dry hay being dragged by a couple of oxen was hit by lighting. A rather unpleasant scene developed but I imagine the farmers did eat well that night. The actually Breakheart trail is pleasant with lots of water views including, rivers, steams, swamps and of course Breakheart Pond. In the spring it does get very muddy but there certainly are worse places. Of course because of the water, birds and many small animals make this their home. Lots of turtles, frogs and water snakes can be seen basking on rocks if you thread quietly. Unfortunately a vast number of stinging and biting insects are also present during certainly times of the year. Strong Deet is an absolute necessity if you dare venture here in the late spring, The main trail is poorly marked but easy enough to follow. If you want a challenge you can try some of the very small paths that lead off in all directions but you probably will get lost. Some of the paths just lead into old stone cellar foundations and then stop, Others meander into large open fields or into swamps. A reminder that in days gone by this whole area was once productive farm land. The Breakheart Trail is a well used path that is the most fun in the winter. Easy to follow the tracks of various critters in the snow and of course the horrible bugs are gone. It still is pleasant enough all year long if you don't mine sharing the woods with some insects and lots of mud. An ancient and well traveled path that may break an ankle if you're not careful but it certainly won't break your heart.

We found this trail via the AllTrails app and glad that we visited. This trail has some pretty…read moreviews (see pictures attached) around the Breakheart Pond. There is adequate parking at a few points around the trail. The paths are wide but there are quite a bit of rocks and roots so you need to be careful with your footing. Other than the rocks and roots the walk is relatively flat (no hills to climb). We took the trail directly around the pond because we weren't sure how long it was (approximately 2 miles). The trails are marked but this could be improved on to indicate the mileage on each trail. Overall we really enjoyed this hike and its views and will be visiting again.

Online it says it's permanently closed, but it's not. Nice trail, although I didn't go very far…read moredue to getting a little spooked by some bear scat on the trail What I did hike was well maintained and easily accessible.

Go take a…read more hike Mount Tom is a well known hiking trail that is part of the Arcadia Wildlife Management Area. Like many of the trails in this part of Rhode Island it is maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club and is well marked and easy to follow. Even though over 8,000 acres of woods in this area were destroyed by a devastating fire in 1951 the only evidence now of that horrible event are the numerous pines that were replanted over the years. Nature returned with a vengence. The entire trail is only a little over five miles but it crosses many other paths so you can walk all day in Arcadia if you desire. The hiking isn't difficult even though it does ramble up and down for most of it's length. Very few ruts, roots or loose rocks to trip you up and no extremely severe climbs, with a little care you can make good time on this path . Even though there are several nice places for distant views you never really know exactly when you get to the summit. It doesn't really matter because it's not very high, probably only around 500 feet or so and the woods are pretty thick. There are some nice cliffs and ledges and numerous rock formations but nothing dangerous or spooky unless you decide to do something really stupid. There are several parking areas but the most convenient is the Acadia Canoe Launch and Check Station. A huge sign marks the parking lot and there are plenty of parking spaces, nice bathrooms and even a pleasant brook to sit by after the hiking is done. The Mt Tom Trail might not be the highest or longest or most scenic hike in the state but it is one that I always find pleasant, entertaining and interesting.

A great place to…read more get lost The John Hudson Trail, named for one of the saints of Rhode island hiking, is technically only about a 3 to 4 miles long round trip. Hardly worth the effort of finding the place. However it's part of the huge Arcadia Wildlife Management Area so there are a vast number of side trials that go off in every possible direction. Some are practically roads, others are barely visible ancient paths. Some go somewhere, others go nowhere. The whole area can be extremely confusing and hard to follow, If you you stay on the Hudson Trial and follow the yellow marks you will end up at Breakheart Pond. A beautiful place for fishing or just viewing. A lot of different types of wildlife are attracted to the water and if you are quiet and observant you will see a multitude of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Mountain laural is everywhere and in places so thick that if actually forms a tunnel. If you are adventurous you can then catch the Breakheart Trail and continue your hike or backtrack the way you came. Or if you are very adventurous you can try one of the small unmarked side trails. If you take one of the larger ones you probably will eventually come out to a marked trial or road but on the smaller trails you take your chances. People get lost in here all the time. The whole area has lots of streams, ponds and waterfalls. Since this is ancient farmland stonewalls divagate back and forth and many old foundations are still visible. Remnants of a different time and reality. Of course the omnipresent ancient Rhode Island cemeteries are scattered about in unexpected spots. Unfortunately because of the soft sandstone and abundance of water in the area the inscriptions on most the ones I looked at could no longer be read. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The John B. Hudson Trail is one of the oldest and shortest hikes in the state system. But in those 3 or 4 short miles you will see a lot of history and nature. And if you decide to brave one of the side trials you will probably get lost and end up seeing more history and nature than you wanted. But then getting lost is half the fun. A great place to get lost

Yellow trail wasn't a whole lot of fun but if you loop your way back on the white trail it hugs the…read morebank of the stream and gets interesting. A lot of things to explore out there.

A short trail that…read more goes forever The Escoheag Trail is a three and a half mile loop that is one of the many trials that make up the Arcadia Management Area. The entire area is well maintained by the Rhode Island chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club and is used by hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and snow shoers and cross skiers in the winter. Since most of Rhode Island is water you won't find any severe climbs in the state. However like many of the trails in Arcadia, the Escoheag Trail is seldom level. Lots of ups and downs and rights and lefts. Certainly not difficult but the variation does make it interesting. Lots of cool rocks and boulders scattered about everywhere, survivors from the glaciers. At one time this was a very popular picnic and camping spot called Ledges Picnic Area and several cool old buildings and foundations are still visible. I'm not sure exactly why they were abandoned. Perhaps because of the devastating fires that swept the whole area back in the 1951. The fires destroyed thousands of acres and changed the entire complexion of the region. Although it's a pleasant little hike in all weather I find it most enjoyable in the dead of winter, especially when it's snowing. Absolutely dead quiet, a very cool place to for some solitude and peace. If you stay on the marked loop, the Escoheag Trial ends far to quickly. However, one of the great things about the trail is that it links to other trails. The Mount Tom Trail, Barber Trail, Step Stone Falls Trail and The Ben Utter Trail as well as numerous others are all accessible from the Escoheag. So rather than thinking that the hike ends after the three and half miles you should think of it as just beginning. Hook up to one of the many other trials and you can hike, bike, ride or ski forever.

Easy hiking and swimming in the pool formed in the falls. Easy road access or a short and lovely…read morehike from the Ben utter trail along the wood river. My 2 year old enjoyed the streaming shallow parts and hunting for frogs.

Woods farms and…read moregolf The Sakonnet Greenway Trail was finally completed in Oct of 2012 and is over ten miles in length. It actually consists of many different sections that were connected together. It's the longest hiking path in Aquidneck Island but then it's probably the only real hiking trail on the island. The trial is flat and easy in most places and rambles through woods, old farms, marsh land and every along the side of a golf course. Certainly has a lot of varied terrain but nothing difficult or challenging. This is a pleasant and relaxing hike that even gives distant views of the ocean in places. No bikes are allowed on the trail but horses and dogs are welcome as long as they are kept under control, and when there is snow the trail is a great place to cross country ski and snow shoe. The trail has a bunch of trailheads so parking is always available somewhere and is open all year long unless there is a really wet and muddy spring which closes parts of it. A very pleasant and scenic if flat trail to hike on. The most enjoyable thing about the trail is all the different terrains and types of landforms that you go through as you meander along.

So if you've ever seen the Wes Anderson movie "Moonrise Kingdom" - and you've hiked this trail to…read moreLong Pond - you'll recognize the scenery around the pond from the top of a massive glacial boulder. Regardless of its Hollywood connections (and my hats off to the camera crew and actors for getting up there!), this is quite the hiking area, though not for the faint-hearted. It does involve a bit of clambering up and down boulders, so be sure to bring a stout set of hiking boots or shoes ... and I'd recommend long pants to deal with the rocks and branches as you're more than likely to be finding yourself scooching down them on your butt at some points. (Yours truly wore only cross-trainers and boy did I regret it: I could not get any traction to summit that huge glacial formation and had to settle vicariously for the distant oohs and ahhs of wonderment from my wife and daughter). We started at the North Road trailhead for the main Narragansett Trail which is marked by yellow blazes but be aware (or beware?) that the turn-off to this spectacular view of the pond - while marked by a big red arrow on a rock - is an unmarked trail, so be sure to take mental pictures of the turns and forks so you don't get lost on the way back. But it sure is worth making this deviation! The main trial can be quite the hike and the opposite direction will take you into Connecticut if you so wish. There is supposed to be another unmarked trail opposite the one going to Long Pond which will take you to Ell Pond, but we weren't able to find the entrance to that trail from the main one - we're guessing probably because it's less traveled and maintained. In addition to Long pond, we were impressed by the large amount of rhododendrons in the forest - we promised ourselves to visit in the spring when they'd be blossoming as that must be a sight to see. This Narragansett Trail area is definitely worth repeat visits! Please note that there are no privys or running water at the trailhead - and parking areas are sparse.

The Long Pond-Ell Pond Nature Area is a spectacular location to stretch your legs and take in some…read morefantastic views of rural Rhode Island. As an avid hiker in the White Mountains of New Hampshire... it was wonderful to find beauty in one's own backyard. It was a crisp Saturday afternoon that I found myself driving down a dirt road in Hopkinton to the Long Pond trailhead. The drive down North Road (aka Old Rockville Road) itself was even enjoyable. The narrow dirt road meandered through branches, heavy with yellowed leaves until the obvious intersection of a couple of cars with several pull offs. There is room for 2 cars at this trailhead, with a pull off for another 2 just before the small parking area. The trail is well-marked with yellow blazes on the trees. Be mindful of who is participating in this hike... it isn't quite simply a leisurely walk in the woods. There are many rock scrambles, some elevation gain, and quite a bit of maneuvering to go to and fro. As you head down the trail from the parking area I mentioned, you reach a crossroads of sorts. If you turn left you hike a short ways until you reach a very large rock formation. At the top is wonderful outlook onto Long Pond. It is a great place to lunch. If you turn right you head toward views of Ell Pond (I didn't go this way on my trip). If you head "straight" which is actually kind of towards the right as well you descend into a forested valley and towards other adventures in the area. The hike to this crossroads is quite manageable and a quick trip. The beauty of this area is that you can make your hike as long or as short as you'd like. It is not a loop so you can decide to turn back at any point and be quite aware of how far and long it will take you. Great in any season I am sure... Fall was perfect. Wish I had gone when there was a bit more foliage to look at but stunning none-the-less. Quiet, serene, a joy to visit. I will most certainly visit this area again and traverse more of its trails. Be sure to wear your blaze orange during hunting season, September to February generally. I'm not sure how much hunting is allowed in this area but I'd rather be safe than sorry!

No more rattlesnakes…read more but still very cool Wickaboxet Management Area is a great hiking and nature trial that virtually nobody uses. I have been here many times in all weather and at all times of the year and seldom see any traces of people. I'm not sure why because this is a great place for a hike. The most interesting part of Wickaboxet is called Rattlesnake ledge. Perhaps at one time the place had lots of rattlesnakes but I've never seen any and I suspect they are long gone. The ledge does have lots of crevices and holes and you can easily understand why snakes would love this place. I have no compunction about crawling all over the rocks and ledges but I still try to avoid sticking my hands or head into any of the dark places. You never know if one of the snakes decided to stick around. The ledge is a great place to fool around although people do fall off on occasion. It can get slippery in snow and ice or in wet weather. Beside Rattlesnake Ledge Wickaboxet has lots of other cool things to see. If you look around you will see lots of pines trees of all different sizes. These were planted after the horrific forest fire in the 1950's that destroyed the entire area. The trees are doing well and most signs of the fire and now just a distant memory. Another cool thing to see is the remains of the old fire tower. Nothing but the cement legs are left and you have to look carefully to find it. Ironically it was destroyed in the great fire so I guess it didn't do it's job very well. The parking lot is pretty small but that doesn't matter because nobody goes here anyways. Wickaboxet isn't a very long hike, with climbing around the ledges and poking around the side trails you can do it in a couple of hours. But just checking out the views from the top of Rattlesnake Ledge makes it worthwhile. Just don't go sticking your hands into any of the holes. You never know what could still be living there.

Great place. Lots of rocks. Rattlesnake ledge looks like a cool place to see but I'll have to do…read morethat on another trip. Lots of rocks and stone walls. Trails are pretty easy to follow. A couple of nice preserved cellar holes. Will be back soon.