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    Lime Rock Nature Preserve

    4.2 (12 reviews)

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    Hepatica everywhere!
    Ashley P.

    Lime Rock Nature Preserve was the perfect set of trails to stretch my legs and get back into the swing of things following a recent knee surgery. The trails here are extremely well maintained, cleared of most leaves and debris (and wonderful for my recovering lower extremity). There are two trails to visit in the Preserve, Yellow and Blue, that are visibly marked with their corresponding colored blaze. Additionally, there are a number of small green and white arrow-ed signs that point the way so it would be very difficult to get lost here. There were a number of picturesque sights along my hike through the area... most notably among them, the Manton Reservoir. The Yellow Trail opens right up to a ravine with a drop off to each side with views of both the reservoir and river that runs off from it. The entirety of the trail was lined with the pretty purple Hepatica flowers that thrive in the limestone-rich soil within the preserve. (For the medical professionals out there: Hepatica is named from its leaves, which like the liver [hepatic, get it?] have 3 lobes... cool huh?) A very easy, leisurely, short hike for those who might want to enjoy the outdoors but not commit to an extensive walk in the woods. Dogs are seemingly allowed in the area as long as they are leashed. Great for children! If you are into geocaching, there are a couple in the area not far from the marked trails. The trail head is well marked with space for 3-4 cars to comfortably pull off of the road. BRING YOUR BUG SPRAY

    Saige M.

    So gorgeous! It was bug free since it's October and the falling leaves and the trees changing colors were such a beautiful backdrop to our hike. This is a mostly flat (with some uphill) hike that isn't super rocky. It's mostly dirt a path. The little lake is beautiful too.

    All photos by Anna K.
    Brian S.

    Limestone marble and rare plants Lime Rock Nature Preserve is a one of the smallest and newest preserves in the state. Established in 1986 it has become extremely popular with botanists and geologists because of it's unique features. For such a small area it has a huge population of rare plants and unusual stone formations. Because of the dolomitic marble in the soil over 30 species of rare plants call this their home. Unfortunately because of the the cold, rainy and crappy weather we've had this year few of the plants were in bloom. However if you look closely you can see that this is indeed an unusual ecology with lots of different types of flora enjoying the swampy and rocky environment. Even if you take your time the whole place can be hiked in just a little over an hour and the terrain is very easy. An old electric railroad bed runs through most of the preserve that facilitates the walking in nice weather, although with all the water we've had recently a lot of the path was very wet and soggy. You have to take care to attempt to stay on the paths as not to disturb the fragile plant life. Lots of things to look at, including strange bog plants and peculiar rock formations. Lots of limestone ledges with cool looking quartz and marble scattered around. This is not a place that hits you in the face with it's uniqueness, you have to look a bit to see just how cool it is. The trail circles around a small pond with the rather uncreative name of no name or nameless pond. You then cross over an old earthen damn and then return by some more interesting ledges and lots of water. The hike is over way to quickly. Lime Stone Preserve is a very fragile and unique ecosystem that deserves to be protected and appreciated. Not a spectacular or strenuous hike but one that offers small treasures and views that no other place in Rhode Island can duplicate. You just have to take the time and effort to look.

    Kendra N.

    Great hike in the woods, easy to follow trail markers, wooden stairs and planks located periodically. There are a few hills but nothing drastic. The 5 year old loved the hike and lasted the entire time. I noticed when arriving they do allow dogs would be a great spot for Fido as the there weren't a lot of people on the trail on the weekend. Came upon some cool tree tents and a land bridge which expanded for quite some time. Make sure to use some bug spray as it wasn't awful without but would have been helpful

    Allie P.

    A very enjoyable hike! Took us about 40-45 min to take the yellow loop to the blue loop and cut back to the parking lot. Although this is labeled as "lime rock nature preserve" the sign at the parking lot says "Aust family preserve". Some very slight inclines make it an easy but not too easy of a walk. My favorite part was a nice straight path on a ridge with two steep drops on both sides, one of which you could see the pond through the trees. Very pretty!

    Tito M.

    Nice park for a peaceful walk. Nice walking path, cool looking lava rocks along the way, good place to bring the kids, But bring tick spray.

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    Ask the Community - Lime Rock Nature Preserve

    Review Highlights - Lime Rock Nature Preserve

    The trail takes you to a nice reservoir that is tucked away from the roads and is a nice surprise on the hike.

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    Wolf Hill Forest Preserve

    Wolf Hill Forest Preserve

    4.3(21 reviews)
    4.1 mi

    Great hike close to PVD - also a great overlook of the city in the distance! My husband and I hiked…read moreabout 2 miles here. The different trails intersect frequently, which means you can really make a hike however long you'd like. There was a QR code to scan to get the trail map where we started our hike. Everything was well marked and well maintained. There was also a small boardwalk area to keep you out of a swampy area. Parking was a bit confusing. We parked in the Carltons Trail cul de sac which had both "parking for trail" and "no parking" signs on the same pole. We took the risk and parked because the "no parking" sign looked a little less official. The leaves had just come down from the trees, which made the path difficult to navigate at some points; we kept tripping over rocks on the path that you couldn't see. I may reserve this hike more for spring and summer for this reason!

    This is a tough series of trails!…read more Ninety percent of the hike is littered with rocks and roots - mostly rocks. This is entirely on a hill with steep grade changes starting at the very beginning. I gave only 4 stars because there are not enough flashes and there are many side trails not flashed or on a map. There are some amazing rock formations, but not enough to thrill me as the hike was too mentally taxing for a Sunday hike. Be sure to wear serious hiking boots, trekking poles, water and snacks. Trekking poles are an absolute must to help with balance and navigation through the rocky grades. I was guided by the Kostrzewa book, but needed a topo map for actual guidance. I will suggest that for anyone else. I can check this hike off my list of Rhode Island trails. I won't return.

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    Wolf Hill Forest Preserve
    Wolf Hill Forest Preserve
    Wolf Hill Forest Preserve

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    Blackall Family And Ballou Farm Preserve

    Blackall Family And Ballou Farm Preserve

    4.0(1 review)
    4.2 mi

    With the weather warming up, I've been excited to get back out on some Rhode Island trails. This…read moreone was a great spot to soak in the seasonal shift, explore a bit of the state's historical landscape, and breathe some fresh air. The preserve has multiple entrances to its many trails. I parked at the one next to the Dollar Tree on Mendon Road--convenient, though not exactly the most picturesque start to a hike. There's something a little mysterious about slipping into the woods from a shopping plaza; a bit awkward, sure, but I still appreciate these green spaces being preserved, even when they're nestled between businesses. The trail system here is extensive and very well-blazed. I started in the 52-acre Ballou parcel, taking the white trail to the blue loop, which connects to both the red and yellow trails in the 132-acre Blackall parcel. Rock walls crisscross the landscape--remnants of pastures, woodlots, and even apple orchards, according to posted info. The yellow trail is said to follow an old horse ring. Stone piles dot the land, likely cleared by farmers long ago. The trails themselves are impressively maintained, with cleared blowdowns and small boardwalks to help with wetter areas. There are some gentle ups and downs that get your legs moving, and on my early spring visit, the greenery was just starting to come alive. Jack-in-the-pulpits were popping up everywhere, along with skunk cabbage, violets, ferns, blue azures, and wood flowers. I also spotted a small snake sunning itself mid-trail and plenty of squirrels. The area is known for Cumberlandite, so that might be a fun thing to explore further on a return trip. While it's easy to get immersed in parts of the hike, you are reminded now and then that this preserve is surrounded by development. Private homes, old equipment, a large tank structure, and the sound of nearby traffic occasionally pull you out of the nature experience. I also noticed some trash here and there, which I tried to pack out. Two utility corridors--one for electrical lines and one for a gas line--cut across the trail system as well. Not deal-breakers, but worth mentioning. I crossed paths with several other hikers, which is somewhat rare for me on Rhode Island trails. Most had dogs on leashes, and it was nice to see others enjoying the area. I covered about four miles with minimal overlap (just the out-and-back parts that connect the loops). In a state where many trails are short, I really appreciate ones that offer some distance. If you haven't been, I'd definitely recommend checking this place out--especially if you're looking for a longer, peaceful hike with a touch of history. I'll be back for sure, maybe with a magnet to go hunting for that Cumberlandite.

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    Blackall Family And Ballou Farm Preserve
    Blackall Family And Ballou Farm Preserve
    Blackall Family And Ballou Farm Preserve

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    Otis Smith Farm and Rowbottom Preserve

    Otis Smith Farm and Rowbottom Preserve

    4.0(2 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    The Otis Smith Farm and Rowbottom Preserve is a 55-acre preserve comprised of two parcels of land…read morefrom the Cumberland Land Trust. Located on the historic Otis Smith Farm land acquired from Brown University and the Kenneth and Barbara Rowbottom land, this preserve is a wonderful setting for some Rhode Island hiking. There are 4 color-blazed trails at the time of this review: --Yellow & White = Otis Lippitt Trail --Red = Rowbottom Trail --Blue = Rocky Ridge Trail There are technically 3 trailheads to delve into these interconnected trails, both the Otis Smith Trailhead on Scott Road (2 of them) and the Rowbottom Trailhead on Lippitt Ave. I started on Scott Road and found the White trailhead very easily, pulling my car off at the pictured/numbered green sign labelled "Cumberland Land Trust"...a big American flag waving in the wind. I spotted the Yellow trailhead on Scott Road as I was driving away marked with a very small homemade sign and no clear pull off for cars. I suggest driving down the road a bit and catching the White trail, much easier. All in all, the trails cover about 1.7 miles. Not a strenuous hike, but there are some interesting sights and changes in the landscape as you make your way through. Many of the trails follow historic farmer's cart paths and are intersected frequently with stone walls. There are signs of the old farm all over the place... look for the irrigation ditch that flowed from Little Pond to bring water to the fields. The trail markers are mostly well placed. There were a couple of times that I had to backtrack because I was following what looked like a path but in actuality I was straying from the trail. Take it slow and look around to be sure you are headed in the right direction. The White Trail brings you through a darkened area of the forest lush with ferns. It was really neat making my way through this dense green part of the woods (especially since the caterpillars have been feasting on the green overhead all spring/summer this year). The Red Trail brings you through a number of pine needle beds, soft and squishy underfoot. Lastly, the Blue Trail boasts some large rocky outcroppings of greenstone... and one really large, angry, bird going through feather molt who was not happy to have my trekking near his/her nest. Although this is a very beautiful area of Cumberland (and what drops this preserve down a star for me), on the Blue Trail there appears to be a makeshift wooden shelter up against the rocks. I wouldn't mind so much seeing this here but it is clear that teens trek out to party in the middle of the night. Evidence of campfires against the rock, broken glass, and trash were strewn about this area. I also came across some disturbing makeshift weaponry (think... thick sticks with nails and screws driven into one end, brandished like a medieval mace). A Lord of the Flies-type scene fluttered through my mind and I scurried away, finishing the loop and heading back for my car. Overall a decent hike... I simply wouldn't recommend poking around the shelter too much, especially with children in tow.

    This is a fun little trail! It's about 0.6 miles if you take the Otis Lippitt trail. It's a nice…read morelittle walk for the dog or family. Bring big spray though!

    Photos
    Otis Smith Farm and Rowbottom Preserve
    Otis Smith Farm and Rowbottom Preserve
    Otis Smith Farm and Rowbottom Preserve

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    Lime Rock Nature Preserve - hiking - Updated May 2026

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