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I was pleasantly surprised that I got to see this. There's a small parking lot (6-8 spaces), and no street parking is allowed, so I wasn't expecting a spot to be available, but there was. This is, as others have said, a gem. Some great views from an elevated standpoint, and it's not slippery or anything. Not much of a hike, and the path is short, but parking is also limited to 30 minutes, so you have to be quick anyway.
We Ran across this intriguing viewing opportunity when we set out to visit Second Beach. It's easy to miss the unobtrusive sign at the parking lot entrance, but fortunately there's a more prominent sign which says "Historic Attraction" just down the street on Purgatory Road. Tip: The parking lot here is pretty small, with room for 7 or 8 cars max. It's a short walk from the lot through the woods, and the you'll come to an open cliff with some stunning views :-) The view from the cliff is outstanding, but take care when you're there because there's no fence and the rocks can be quite slippery. Legend has it that a beautiful girl with more money than was good for her spent a whole summer rejecting the advances of a young man who was totally smitten with her. They were at Purgatory Chasm one day, and the girl challenged the boy to jump across the ten foot gap in the Chasm; she said if he succeed she'd marry him. The boy jumped across the Chasm and then back again. Then, to his credit, he told the girl that he didn't appreciate the way she'd been toying with his affections all summer. He never courted her again, and apparently she pined over him for years.
Cool spot in Newport. Super easy to park and walk out to view the chasm. It is barely a hike, more like a short walk. Take some time to wander around the area - go over the bridge and hang a left to see a better view. Can also walk over the rocks to view the water. There's a lot of empty bottle here which is unfortunate, so watch your step.
How have I literally never been here before today? I'm trying my best to be a tourist in my own backyard, and today's trip to Purgatory Chasm was so much fun! The views were gorg, and even though the terrain is a bit uneven at times (darn you, terrible balance plus rocks!), the Instagram shots I got were more than worth it! Pro tip - wear comfortable walking shoes when you visit. The chasm is basically a bunch of rocks that you can walk around on, and bridge that people put locks on (so cute!), so you're going to want stable and reliable footwear. That being said, it's definitely worth a visit, and with easy parking and a great location just steps away from Second Beach (best boogie boarding waves on the island!), you're going to want to add Purgatory Chasm to your list of fun outdoor outings for summer!
Lovely mini hiking spot with breathtaking views tucked away near "second beach" In Middletown. We actually drove past it the first time And turned around to find the trailhead, with a small parking lot, waiting to be explored. PLEASE NOTE IF YOU HAVE SMALL CHILDREN: There are vistas aplenty to take in gorgeous coastal views. However, there is nothing between sheer rock edges and a 40 foot drop to the ocean below. If you have a family that likes to run about, you may want to keep little ones very close around here. Our main reason for checking out the spot was the splendid chasm that exists here. My youngest son is also studying geology in middle school and this particular location has probably one of the best examples of pudding stone in the area. (I'm a geek at heart) There are some wooded nooks along a very short path to shelter you from the cool coastal wind. If not for the excessive amount of broken glass, it would be an excellent place to picnic. I wish I had brought binoculars as there were some rocks just below with some beautiful seabirds lounging about. I think that this particular jaunt Is ideal for adults - even someone with mobility issues - and careful families. Great view of the chasm from the "love lock" foot bridge. It's truly breathtaking.
What an beautiful awesome little place We been there on November 7th 2020 we got almost 85 degrees we had an beautiful walk on the beach and put our lock on the bridge and throw our key in the ocean of that our love never "opens" !!!! It was an amazing experience and one of the nicest places around here !!!!
This place is truly a hidden gem. I had remembered someone posting about it years ago, and I figured I'd finally go check it out with all of this extra time on my hands. Parking is VERY limited. There's only about 10 parking spots, so you may have to circle around a couple of times. But there's a 30 minute time limit, so it shouldn't take too long to get a spot. I thought the 30 minute parking would be frustrating, but everything is really close together so it's not so bad. I went on a really foggy day, but it was still magical. The tiny parking lot definitely helps with keeping it empty and quiet while you're there. There's a bridge where people put locks, the chasm, a lookout into the ocean, and a few other small paths. It's definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. I can't wait to go back.
A must-see when staying in Newport. The geology is fascinating, the walk is short, and the views are stunning. The chasm itself is sort of beautiful but terrifying. You can sit on the cliff next to it and look out over Second Beach, enjoying the expansive, calm vista and the waves, waders and surfers far below.
Beautiful area, lock bridge adds a wonderful charm. Definitely a worthwhile place to stop by and visit. Only a few minutes away from the beach as well which is always a plus!
A big crack A great little place over looking the ocean. The parking lot is tiny, only holds a few cars but since no one seems to go here we never had a problem finding a spot. Another opinion is to park over at Sachuest and bike over to Purgatory. The chasm is a huge split in the rocks that looks pretty damn impressive especially when the weather's bad and the waves are crashing into it. The area isn't very big, not a place to hike but it does have fantastic views in all directions. When we head out to Sachuest we always stop a spend a few minutes at the chasm to look out over the ocean and admire the great views.
Amazing spot. We come here every year when we stay in Narragansett. Kids love climbing the rocks , fishing, and just looking at the incredible views. Don't miss this great place!
Beautiful spot. 30 min parking only. Bring your sneakers... cause my flats didn't cut it. You want to be careful because there is a steep fall off any of the rocks. There is a cute(safe) lil bride where you can see the actually split in the rock. If you want a itty bitty site seeing this is your kinda place.
8 months ago
This is a small beautiful walking trail with amazing views of Sachuest beach. There is a lock ridge that takes you over the cliff to amazing views! We came in the winter so there was a lot of snow on the ground, but it was still so beautiful and serene. I imagine it's just gorgeous in the summer. There is a small parking lot with very few stalls, but it also has a limited allowed parking time. read more
Purgatory Chasm is such a gem! It's a relatively short hike, but every step packs in gorgeous scenery. There are plenty of little spots where you can slip down to the water for a peaceful view or snag some stunning photos. Bring your camera or your phone at full charge. The chasm itself is breathtaking, massive rock walls that make you feel small in the best way. It's the kind of place that makes you stop and take a deep breath just to soak it all in. One really sweet touch is the fence along the way and it has plenty of space for love or friendship locks, which gives the trail a personal and meaningful vibe. Whether you're here for a quick hike, a photo session, or just to clear your head, Purgatory Chasm delivers. read more
I was pleasantly surprised that I got to see this. There's a small parking lot (6-8 spaces), and no street parking is allowed, so I wasn't expecting a spot to be available, but there was. This is, as others have said, a gem. Some great views from an elevated standpoint, and it's not slippery or anything. Not much of a hike, and the path is short, but parking is also limited to 30 minutes, so you have to be quick anyway. read more
2 years ago
We Ran across this intriguing viewing opportunity when we set out to visit Second Beach. It's easy to miss the unobtrusive sign at the parking lot entrance, but fortunately there's a more prominent sign which says "Historic Attraction" just down the street on Purgatory Road. Tip: The parking lot here is pretty small, with room for 7 or 8 cars max. It's a short walk from the lot through the woods, and the you'll come to an open cliff with some stunning views :-) The view from the cliff is outstanding, but take care when you're there because there's no fence and the rocks can be quite slippery. Legend has it that a beautiful girl with more money than was good for her spent a whole summer rejecting the advances of a young man who was totally smitten with her. They were at Purgatory Chasm one day, and the girl challenged the boy to jump across the ten foot gap in the Chasm; she said if he succeed she'd marry him. The boy jumped across the Chasm and then back again. Then, to his credit, he told the girl that he didn't appreciate the way she'd been toying with his affections all summer. He never courted her again, and apparently she pined over him for years. read more
Cool spot in Newport. Super easy to park and walk out to view the chasm. It is barely a hike, more like a short walk. Take some time to wander around the area - go over the bridge and hang a left to see a better view. Can also walk over the rocks to view the water. There's a lot of empty bottle here which is unfortunate, so watch your step. read more
How have I literally never been here before today? I'm trying my best to be a tourist in my own backyard, and today's trip to Purgatory Chasm was so much fun! The views were gorg, and even though the terrain is a bit uneven at times (darn you, terrible balance plus rocks!), the Instagram shots I got were more than worth it! Pro tip - wear comfortable walking shoes when you visit. The chasm is basically a bunch of rocks that you can walk around on, and bridge that people put locks on (so cute!), so you're going to want stable and reliable footwear. That being said, it's definitely worth a visit, and with easy parking and a great location just steps away from Second Beach (best boogie boarding waves on the island!), you're going to want to add Purgatory Chasm to your list of fun outdoor outings for summer! read more
6 years ago
Lovely mini hiking spot with breathtaking views tucked away near "second beach" In Middletown. We actually drove past it the first time And turned around to find the trailhead, with a small parking lot, waiting to be explored. PLEASE NOTE IF YOU HAVE SMALL CHILDREN: There are vistas aplenty to take in gorgeous coastal views. However, there is nothing between sheer rock edges and a 40 foot drop to the ocean below. If you have a family that likes to run about, you may want to keep little ones very close around here. Our main reason for checking out the spot was the splendid chasm that exists here. My youngest son is also studying geology in middle school and this particular location has probably one of the best examples of pudding stone in the area. (I'm a geek at heart) There are some wooded nooks along a very short path to shelter you from the cool coastal wind. If not for the excessive amount of broken glass, it would be an excellent place to picnic. I wish I had brought binoculars as there were some rocks just below with some beautiful seabirds lounging about. I think that this particular jaunt Is ideal for adults - even someone with mobility issues - and careful families. Great view of the chasm from the "love lock" foot bridge. It's truly breathtaking. read more
6 years ago
What an beautiful awesome little place We been there on November 7th 2020 we got almost 85 degrees we had an beautiful walk on the beach and put our lock on the bridge and throw our key in the ocean of that our love never "opens" !!!! It was an amazing experience and one of the nicest places around here !!!! read more
6 years ago
This place is truly a hidden gem. I had remembered someone posting about it years ago, and I figured I'd finally go check it out with all of this extra time on my hands. Parking is VERY limited. There's only about 10 parking spots, so you may have to circle around a couple of times. But there's a 30 minute time limit, so it shouldn't take too long to get a spot. I thought the 30 minute parking would be frustrating, but everything is really close together so it's not so bad. I went on a really foggy day, but it was still magical. The tiny parking lot definitely helps with keeping it empty and quiet while you're there. There's a bridge where people put locks, the chasm, a lookout into the ocean, and a few other small paths. It's definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. I can't wait to go back. read more
A must-see when staying in Newport. The geology is fascinating, the walk is short, and the views are stunning. The chasm itself is sort of beautiful but terrifying. You can sit on the cliff next to it and look out over Second Beach, enjoying the expansive, calm vista and the waves, waders and surfers far below. read more
6 years ago
Beautiful area, lock bridge adds a wonderful charm. Definitely a worthwhile place to stop by and visit. Only a few minutes away from the beach as well which is always a plus! read more
18 years ago
A big crack A great little place over looking the ocean. The parking lot is tiny, only holds a few cars but since no one seems to go here we never had a problem finding a spot. Another opinion is to park over at Sachuest and bike over to Purgatory. The chasm is a huge split in the rocks that looks pretty damn impressive especially when the weather's bad and the waves are crashing into it. The area isn't very big, not a place to hike but it does have fantastic views in all directions. When we head out to Sachuest we always stop a spend a few minutes at the chasm to look out over the ocean and admire the great views. read more
7 years ago
Amazing spot. We come here every year when we stay in Narragansett. Kids love climbing the rocks , fishing, and just looking at the incredible views. Don't miss this great place! read more
Beautiful spot. 30 min parking only. Bring your sneakers... cause my flats didn't cut it. You want to be careful because there is a steep fall off any of the rocks. There is a cute(safe) lil bride where you can see the actually split in the rock. If you want a itty bitty site seeing this is your kinda place. read more
7 years ago
Really cool surprise to come upon this while driving. Chasm is super deep. Stay back from the edge as no fence for protection. Love to know more about the geology of this spot read more
I discovered this spot during a short road trip when I saw its amazing name on a sign and insisted that my friend stop the car so we could check it out. We found a small strip of land with a narrow chasm, rocky cliffs, plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, and stunningly beautiful views over the Atlantic. There are cookout areas and trails for short hikes (emphasis on short; don't come here expecting a workout), but we preferred to just sit, breathe in the ocean air, and gaze out over the water. Funny that a park named for the underworld would turn out to be one of the prettiest places in Rhode Island. read more
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Would be a fantastic place for a picnic lunch! Just make it quick because it's 30 minute parking - though the lot was completely empty for the duration of our visit. Fun to watch the surfers below. It is not exactly where marked on the Yelp map. Take Purgatory to Walcott - head toward the ocean. This dead ends into Tuckerman, take a left and keep an eye out for the lot on the left. Beautiful view. read more
12 years ago
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11 years ago
A must place to visit! Around a 10 minute drive from Newport. Free 30 minute parking and a short walk to the cliff. Absolutely breath taking views. Great place to sit and take it all in. read more
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Middletown, RI 02842
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