Born and raised in the ocean state I have been to every beach in RI (public and private) this is one of my top beaches.. it does get a bit crowded with families/kids so if you are looking for a more secluded quiet beach.. go somewhere else or come late afternoon/night. (Just being honest) prices are great just $6 for resident parking, lots of spaces, your car won't be crammed into a spot. Not a long walk from parking to beach. Food is decent.. the kids (well young adults) who work here are so friendly, which you don't find anywhere anymore. Sand is soft and beautiful, water is clear, not rocky or any seaweed.. waves are just enough.. peaceful, fun but won't over power you. read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

I been coming to this beach for over 20 years. It has a more chill vibe. Lucked out, school hasn't ended and the weather was warm but not crazy hot. So the place was on the quiet side, which is a plus in my books. When you're smushed in like sardines I am not a fan. 6 bucks on weekdays can't beat that. Definitely get beach pass it will be worth it if you are in state. read more

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This is my favorite public beach in RI! I am a native Rhode Islander, beach lover, and have gone to every beach in the state. This beach is wayyyy less crowded than the other RI public beaches and has lots of parking, a concession/food stand, bathrooms, and some merchandise for sale. The parking is only $7 for RI residents on the weekend and the parking line is very quick. Also, for the beach-o-holics like me, you can even purchase a beach pass online for all RI public beaches for $30 for the summer season...well worth it if your a frequent beach bum like me! It will save you some money if you go to the beach more than 4x in the summer season. There's usually tons of open spots on the beach to lay your beach blanket down, in your own secluded area - I love being in my own space so this was a huge perk! I took my 8yr old nephew here to enjoy a summer day in little Rhody on the weekend and he loved the swing set... we even purchased a sand bucket at the beach from a local vendor to keep him busy playing in the sand. I'll definitely be back...like literally every hot sunny summer weekend ! Love it here ! read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - RI Summers - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

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This was my first time going to the beach in Rhode Island. It was a decent experience. Everyone tells me the beaches here are nice so I had to see for myself. Parking was easy, $14 on weekends during the summer. The sand was nice and soft. Water was a bit too dirty for my liking so I passed on swimming here lol. It would be nice if there were trash cans on the beach... there were absolutely none which was kind of mind blowing... there are bathrooms and showers so that was a plus. read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

The Roger W. Wheeler State Beach (formerly and still sometimes referred to as Sand Hill Cove) is a public recreation area covering 27 acres on Block Island Sound in the town of Narragansett, Rhode Island. The area offers picnicking, ocean swimming, and a playground and is open seasonally. The beach became state property when it was seized from Tory sympathizers during the American Revolutionary War. Known as Sand Hill Cove, it became Rhode Island's first state beach when 27 acres were transferred to Metropolitan Park Commission in 1929. In 1970, the beach was renamed in honor of Captain Roger W. Wheeler (1907-1969), the founder of the Rhode Island State Life-Saving System. Between 1996 and 1997, a redesign and renovation of the beach facilities at Roger Wheeler produced a new pavilion, coin-operated hot showers, a playground, concession building, a life-guard tower, and an environmental educational area. Our cousins rent a house just a few blocks away, so we have visited this beach several times. In-Season Hours & Parking: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday - Friday and 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM on weekends & holidays. To park in this State beach, there are fees...$6 on weekdays and $7 on weekends and holidays...for Rhode Island residents...for out of state visitors, the fee is about double that... read more

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This was my first time here. I came on a weekday and it was a bit overcast when I got there. Despite this, there was a decent crowd, yet still relaxing and quiet. About 45 minutes into my time there, they announced a child was missing but found them about 10 minutes after. I got into the water and it felt so good. It was the perfect temperature, very refreshing, and not overly salty where it burns the eyes. There's tons of seagulls and I witnessed them snatch food from people so definitely keep it hidden. From time to time I was able to see the block island ferry coming and going which was cool. And, if you keep walking down the beach, you can get to some restaurants and a little Tikki bar. The entrance fee is $6 for residents on weekends and more expensive on weekends and for non residents, or you can buy a season pass. There are changing rooms, bathrooms, paid hot showers, and complimentary free cold showers. The bathrooms and changing rooms were decently clean for being on a beach. They also have a little shop to buy sweaters and stuff and a little beach kitchen with food and snacks for purchase. read more

I've been coming here since I was a small child. Its a great family beach that doesn't attract riff raff. The sand is clean and free from debris. The water is mostly clean of excessive seaweed. The parking is ample. However, I think there should be better control on who's parking in handicap spaces. I saw quite a few cars (10 or more) without placards. As a result a person in my party had difficulty walking to the beach because we had to park far away. read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

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Overcrowded, staff/ lifeguards had radios so couldn't even enjoy the sound of the waves. Seemed to have unlimited parking despite having not nearly enough beach.... read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

Best Family Beach in RI. Easy in & out parking. Concessions, outdoor showers, good sized playground and decent waves. It's the perfect beach to take your children! My son loves the waves and playground and it would also be cool if we could go on the rocks but it's understandable why they don't allow anyone on them. This beach is usually covered in beach umbrellas and tents by 10:30 so try to get here early if you want a good spot! We also got a great parking spot as well! read more

Where have you been all my life?! But really, this is my favorite Beach for numerous reasons. The parking is reasonably priced at $10 during the week and no matter what time I arrive, I always find a spot. You don't have to walk very far even if you park in the back of the lot. The beach itself is beautiful with calm waters and sparkling sand. It is the perfect place for little ones to play without being knocked down by rough surf. They can walk pretty far out without the water getting too deep. One area is a bit rocky witha lot of shells and pebbles but another area is smooth and you can go without water shoes. My oldest son loves to bring a net to catch crabs and other small creatures. The beach area is small but is never overcrowded. The amenities are great as well. There is a small playground that has recently been updated. The bathrooms are always very well maintained and clean even on busy days. There are cold showers outside and the lines are never too long. They are always in working order as well. There are also hot showers inside for .75 for 3 minutes and .25 for every extra minute. There is a machine for change as well. The concession stand has a variety of items such as Del's lemonade, ice cream, iced coffee, and hot foods (chicken nuggets, fries, beach food). The lines always move pretty fast here as well. The beach staff is friendly and helpful. There are mostly families with children, and older adults. The people are all respectful and friendly. I think it's great because my kids always find friends to play with. If you do not like children or are younger and are looking a meat market scene, this is definately not the place for you. No gorilla juice heads in sight. Mostly mom's in tankinis and grannies in one pieces (although I did spot a man in his 60's wearing a black speedo....). I always frequented horseneck beach in Wesport but I have outgrown it (not to mention how gross the bathrooms are). This is the beach for me. read more

Clean beach-always easy in and out for parking-bathrooms are plentiful- concession stand sells Nitro coffee so that's a plus! Playground closed due to Covid..... read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

Known to us as Sand Hill Cove back in the day, we have been coming to this beach for decades. They have a great pavilion with food, bathrooms and indoor and outdoor showers. It's a very convenient place to bring the family. Life guards are on duty. You can walk this beach to the south and arrive at Salty Brine beach and the channel that leads to the marina. Tour boats, fishing boats and pleasure boats come and go through the day there. We would bring a big cooler full of snacks and cold beverages (iced tea, soft drinks, water) a big blanket, chairs and umbrella lots of sun screen, pails, shovels and towels and make a day of it. Best way to tucker out the kids and get lots of smiles at the same time. Any trash you create you take out. The parking lot is large and the beach long. There are a few picnic tables available if you get there early and want to camp out at one of them. Normally arriving early in the morning, it's fairly empty and easy to choose a spot. read more

If you're looking for waves this is not the beach for you. This is a relaxing drift with the current type of beach. It's super family friendly, and very spacious for the not so family friendly. They have a decent snack bar and a jungle gym for the kids or young at heart. I find it to be very clean. read more

This beach has been very accommodating during COVID-19. Everyone's super cautious and careful. Keeping our distance, on the beach and in the water. Great job Rhode Island read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - Beach shots - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

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A beach for everyone Roger Wheeler State Beach is also called Sand Hill Cove Beach or just Sand Hill Beach. I have also heard it referred to as Kid's Beach or occasionally Old Ladies Beach. It was named after Captain Roger Wheeler, one of the early pioneers of the life saving system and techniques in Rhode Island. The beach is located on the very southern tip of Narragansett and is not as crowded as the more popular Scarborough Beach a few miles north. I have seen times in the summer when Scarborough is absolutely packed and Wheeler virtually empty. A nice place to go if you don't like the chaos, confusion, sight, sounds and smells of a horde of people. The beach charges six dollars for parking during the week and seven during the weekend. Of course it's free during the off season so it's a nice place for a winter walk along the ocean with great winds and views during snowstorms and heavy weather. The parking lot is fairly large, holding several thousand cars so there is almost always some parking available even during the tourist infested summer months. The beach is a great place to bring kids and families because it's well protected by the break waters and seldom gets the huge surf or rips of other beaches. Of course this makes it a very poor place to surf but even if you are a poor swimmer you can safely go in the water even during the worse weather and probably won't drown. Wheeler has dozens of picnic tables, a play ground and bathrooms. The crappers never seem to get quite as disgusting as the more crowded beaches and the atmosphere tends to be quieter and more relaxed. A nice beach to sit around and enjoy the ocean with the family and do a little swimming but certainly not as exciting or dangerous as other beaches in the area. read more

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My boyfriend's sister rented a beach house a few blocks away so we ended up spending the afternoon on Sunday. Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach is kind of a mouthful so I'll just refer to it as the beach. Anyway, there's ample parking ($10 although we parked for free on a side street), a small playground for kids, plus concessions (yum, Dell's lemonade) and clean enough public restrooms. It's an extremely family friendly scene - which worked for us because we were accompanied by 5 & 7 year olds. It gets a bit rocky as you wade into the water but other than that, no complaints. Calm waters, go elsewhere if you're looking for waves! read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - Perfect beach day - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

Solid beach. Free beaches are important to me. I find it absurd beaches charging for public good. There's a playground,some sand and the oceans! You can see boats in the distance. The food at the restaurant was overpriced and not good but this is about the beach!! Attentive lifeguards. Red seaweed in some places regular in others. read more

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Despite its lengthy official monniker, I've always known this beach to be Sand Hill Cove. It is part of the RI State Parks and there is a charge to get into the lot. The waters, while coming off the ocean, are calmed being within the Point Judith harbor of refuge (behind the breakwater). The surf is never out of control and the undertow has never been an issue. I also like that the sand level walking into the water is gradual and the kids and I can get waist-deep and get out beyond what little seaweed finds its way to the shore. The sand is nice, the water clean and the people are usually pleasant. Huge snack bar here that sells Del's, grilled stuff, ice cream and the like. I've never had any of the stuff but I guess it's a good back up plan if you forget to pack your own goodies. They have the outside cold rinse showers but hot showers are 75c for three minutes inside the private changing area. Kinda nice when you feel like a rinse. Bring your own quarters because the change machine NEVER works. There is always a spot to park your blanket. Parking is expansive and I've never been turned away for a full lot. A great spot to take just about anyone of any age. Hassle free beach going. read more

Had a great time at this beach on Tuesday the 28th of July! It is a hidden gem that not a lot know about! Got there early about 10 am got a great spot set up and had a great time! The water is amazing and the beach is clean!! People are pleasant and mind their own business...that's a plus! Stayed for about 4 hours and the whole time it was awesome!! I love that place got it from my good friend!! read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - Just relaxing on the beach! Life's a beach - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

Great beach! Clean, excellent proximity to local, classic, RI seafood joints, and Fisherman's Memorial Campground. Be aware. Lifeguards pack it in, and bathhouses close at 6PM. No fee to go on beach, just car parking - so ride your bike and beat the system! Snack bar at pavilion for burgers and whatnot. read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - About 5PM on a Wednesday during High Season. - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

Great beach to hang out in with plenty of families around. It's definitely geared more towards families and locals rather than a young crowd. Regardless, the sand is powdery and the waves are very minimal. Sometimes the water gets dirty if there's seaweed but some days, it's clearer. There's a big parking lot and you pay by the car. Overall, I'll repeatedly come back to this beach because it's clean, friendly, and water is calm. read more

Roger Wheeler is a great little beach sandwiched between Point Judith and Scarborough. There is plenty of parking with easy access to the beach. This is the perfect beach for families with small children, the sand is soft and the waves are small due to the sea wall about 500 yards out. There are plenty of shells and critters to find and it even has a small playground with swings and slides. The amenities are convenient with free showers and big restrooms. The food is standard beach fare, mostly fried. We usually get some lemon ices (some Del's knockoff) and the clam cakes (which are more cake then clam) but are a nice way to carb up whilst you chase the shorties around trying to prevent them from going out to far. 8/10 awesome spot if your in the area read more

Excellent beach! Perfect for families with or without children. The beach is very clean and the water is crystal clear. They have a playground for children with concession stands and a ton of bathrooms. Lifeguards are on duty and it's a take in/take out trash policy. Admission is $7.00, well worth it! One of my favorite beaches in Rhode Island. Very family friendly. read more

Very affordable beach day with surprisingly clean bathrooms. Quiet spot without too much overcrowding

I really liked this beach. The day we went the parking lot was not full and the price was cheap. I wish the sun was out more but it's okay, we'll try again next time. This beach was clean and so was the water, which is very important to me. I usually go to First beach in Newport but this is a close second place for me. read more

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This is the ideal beach for kids. Or should I say... this is the beach you come to if you have kids. Wheeler Beach (known to RIers as Sand Hill Cove) has all you could want from an ocean beach... without the breakers that will kill your kid. The cove and the multiple rock jetties allow the ocean waves to roll gently in, as your toddler splashes around in the warm, but seaweedy, sea foam. It also boast a large beachfront of fine soft sand that adults as well as children love. The bathrooms are clean, and they have a decent snack bar with "lemony ice" (not Del's) if you need to bribe your child. I love to take my kid here... ahem... just to be perfectly clear... DON'T COME HERE IF YOU DON'T LIKE KIDS! This place gets MOBBED with children occupying every possible square inch of sand, with random pails and shovels littering the tidal zone. Boogie boards are everywhere with oblivious pre-teens ramming strangers at every turn. It is not the beach to go to to find tranquility.... it is the beach you go to to allow you children to run around like maniacs so they will go to bed at 7pm! read more

This is the best family beach in the New England Atlantic by far. The waves are perfect for the younger humans, and is roomy enough for the adults to swim as well. We loved this beach. And Salty's beach food stand was super delicious. read more

I echo a lot of what Brian S said about this beach being calmer in terms of crowds, music, etc than the nearby Scarborough State Beach. I really like the vibe of this beach because it is not a secluded beach but it's not a crowded one either. This beach and Salty Brine state beach are the bookmarks to a stretch of beach with private homes in between. This means that you can walk a fair distance and you don't have to deal with weaving in and out of people to do it. The reason that Roger Wheeler is not going to receive 5 stars from me is the random piles of large rocks in the water. After you wade up to your waist in the water, all the sudden there are these piles of rocks (not pebbles, not stepping stones) randomly spread out in the water. Because there are intermittent waves, it is hard to see down to the water's bottom to try and avoid them. In the end I broke my toe on one of the piles, so that definitely put a damper on the day. Outside of the piles of rocks, the beach and the ocean floor are quite soft and clean. read more

R-dub formerly Sand Hill Cove is a great beach for those who don't want an overwhelming expanse to traverse, guidos and big waves while at the beach. This is a very family oriented beach with a small playground and rock formations out in the water to break the waves making the waters far friendlier for smaller or more fearful patrons. No real judgement is gonna be passed here and the worst part might be the fact that there are a lot of children but the amount of crying isn't anywhere near as bad as one might expect. read more

Roger Wheeler State Beach makes me thankful for being a Rhode Islander. What an absolutely gorgeous spot, with sand that literally sparkles, and water that's calm and inviting. The facilities are generally clean (as clean as you'd expect at a beach pavilion, that is) and the snack area is fun with lots of beachy treats for the taking. Because of the calmer waters, Roger Wheeler tends to have a lot of families visit - if you're looking for more adult activities, this might not be your cup of tea (or any other beverage you're seeking). Though a bit longer of a drive for me than some other beaches, it is certainly worth the trip! read more

Let me say this beach gets 4 stars only because I have children. If you don't have children 10 and under your experience will be very different then mine. Why do I enjoy this beach for a family fun day: 1. No waves so the little ones are happy and safe 2. Clean restrooms and showers 3. Snack bar if I don't feel like packing lunch 4. Parking is ample and close to the beach 5. There is a playground when they get tired of the water 6. Everyone that is there is also accompanied by children so you don't feel as bad when your child decides to run right over a blanket freshly laid out to sunbath on. read more

Absolutely gorgeous beach! Great for kids, as they have a playground. Nice pavillion with restrooms/showers and a snack bar. The beach is very clean. Big parking lot with plenty of access points to the beach from the lot. Parking only cost us $20 for the day. There are ramps from the pavillion, which is great for beach carts and strollers. They seem a little strict with rules. They don't allow ball or Frisbee throwing. You can rent lounge chairs. Very enjoyable beach. read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - Kicking off the holiday weekend at the beach! - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

Pretty beach with a big parking lot. I probably won't hang out here during the busy season myself because I avoid all the family friendly places like the plague, but it is a nice beach in itself and close to many restaurants read more

Very kid friendly beach is protected by sea wall keeping surf down for the little ones and very clean pavilion with showers. Sand is soft some picnic tables are available if you get there early enough. They now have chairs and umbrellas for rent. Short walk to Gallee for ice cream food and gift shops. There is a snack bar with an assortment of things clam cakes chowda fries the usual beach snacks. read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - Beautiful beach day - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

Pretty fantastic beach, especially for kids. Gentle waves, plenty of sand, convenient parking, non-horrific bathroom... This is our go-to family beach. read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

Ocean sunshine sand sailboats and working lobster boats happiness! Unlike most of the RI state beaches, there were mostly RI license plates, not out of state license plates! It was a very warm day with a perfect bit of breeze, not at all crowded. Ease of access a bit challenging. Long walk to get to a long ramp. My service dog was accepted just fine, no questions. Just a perfect little New England beach! Quite clean on the sands and in the facilities! read more

Captain Roger Wheeler State Beach - Our view of Capt Roger Wheeler State Beach back in June 2014 - Beaches Near Me - Narragansett, Rhode Island

This beach is prefect for families and kids. Small, soft sand and no waves. It has a small clean park for the kids entertainment. It has a snack bar that I have never been to because honestly aunt Carries is down the street! I like this beach also because there are virtually not waves as my kids are still small and big waves aren't the best for them just yet! Perfect family beach. read more

This is a great family friendly beach. We usually bring my nephew to this beach because in addition to the obvious beach amenities, they also have a nice playground here which he loves. The water isn't too rough (at least not on average) so it's definitely a good beach if you're bringing children, but not bad either if you're an adult who doesn't mind children :) read more

Decide to go this beach when my boyfriend and I saw how really crowded the Narragansett town beach was. Being a wekend, we expected that but we decide to try here instead. Parking lot is huge, pay only $14, they give a bag to put your trash in which you are responsible to carry out with you. There is a playground for the kids, place to shower, the area to get the food as well. My only complaint would be the rocks, the section we went to had tons of rocks. I don't know how the other side is but when you go and pay for parking, just try the right side, the left side is where the rocks are. read more

fourteen dollars for a bottle of sunscreen at the snack bar. Unbelievable!! Price gouging at its finest. Beach is nice though.