Wow, I've never ever given an outdoor spot a one star review, but this place is just awful. The parking lot is dangerous and there were so many people here you couldn't hear a damn thing except screaming children sliding down a boulder as their negligent parents looked at their smart phones. The chasm itself had an injured hiker removed the day before we got here and looking up online after, hundreds of people have been injured here and some have died. It's nothing but a series of boulders and cliffs so crowded with people you can barely move through it. It is in no way a place for nature lovers, a peaceful place to be alone and would be impossible for children, the elderly and most unfit people to even utilize anything here. I don't know how this place is even allowed to be open to the public. Purgatory is a great name for it because for the brief time I was here I just suffered. read more

Fun place to go with the kids. I didn't know they had such a great playground. Our girls love to climb and run around, this is a great place for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. read more

I used to come here a lot when I was younger, in the Boy Scouts. It's a great area for hiking, a little rock climbing and exploring the various cave systems. Definitely recommend it for a nice family day trip with children over the age of 7 or 8. read more

This is a terrific length hike for kids. I started bringing the kids here when my youngest was about 3. It was enough to give me a heart attack watching him climb over the rocks. Now he's 7 and it is really one of everyone's favorite hikes. There is lots of climbing over rocks and it's not for worrywarts. There are some very steep cliffs that I don't let the kids near. The area is striking with huge rock cliffs and gorgeous pines. There is a great picnic area and terrific playground covered with giant pine trees shading the area. Don't miss sliding rock, read more

Oh how dangerous I came here with my family and they have a very cool playground for kids.then once I got on a rock"Slip"I feel flat down.we then walked about 5 minutes into the chasm and my kids played on playground very big and then we left to go home. read more

This reservation was just a short 30 minute ride from Providence down 146. I went on a nice fall day for a hike and a great time climbing the rocks through the chasm and exploring the trails. I saw a few people picnicking while enjoying the nice views and quiet woods. I would like to visit when there are less slippery leaves on the ground, but still had a great time on this mini adventure! read more

i grew up going here, Than I took my kids who are 50years old now, my grand kids and my great grandbaby all love this place , Get the kids off the games and explore the wonders in purgatory, take a Frisbee, bring lunch there is a beautiful hiking trail great place to take your kids for a family day of fun and adventure read more

This is truly an enjoyable place and it is absolutely amazing. A great place to hike around during a warm afternoon. Bring your bug spay though, its swampy and mosquito infested! read more

Perfect place to wear your Devil costume from last Halloween. You can sign autographs!

Great place to admire see first hand the effects of the ice age. At its deepest point, it feels as if you are walking in a mini Grand Canyon while the temperature dips like 20 degrees or so, maybe more. Be advised though to bring your hiking/walking shoes though Also, "Little Purgatory" is amazing in itself, as are the trails around it. On the Little Purgatory trail is a hidden stream, that looks like it comes right out of a Hollywood film (If you ever seen "The Emerald Forrest," that's how it looked). At the end of Little Purgatory is a beautiful waterfall. Surreal read more

Simply the greatest place to spend your summer . There's nothing that could possibly be WRONG with such a beautiful place - it's clean, well maintained and peaceful. I spent hours and hours here in the summer w my friends. I love purgatory. read more

This hiking location is just off the 146 exit 6. Very easy to get to from Providence. There is ample parking, bathrooms, benches, bbqs and a playground. We took the few trails offered and had a lot of fun. The best part is hiking up and over the rock formations in the chasm. You definitely need to wear shoes with some traction because it can be slippery. Lots of different types of mushrooms and frogs along the way. Very peaceful and beautiful. Trails aren't too long, so don't expect to get a great workout, but def worth going once to check it out. read more

Absolutely beautiful. Went here for a day of hiking. Well-marked trails, ample parking, plentiful picnic tables. Granted, it was a weekday. The rock formations are amazing. Decent indoor bathroom available at welcome center. read more

ive been going here since i was a little girl. still go to climb rocks and just have fun. sometimes the ice cream dude is there. theres a park for extremely lil kids. basically you go here to chill and enjoy the nature around you haha :) read more

Wow cooler than I thought. Pictures cannot describe he grandeur. But def bring a camera. The trails are beautiful, enough to feel like your the only one there. Plenty of caves to kiss your S/o . Dog friendly, and kid friendly but it is dangerous so I wouldn't bring small children. A lot of moms looked worried the whole time lol! Pack a lunch, there's a kids park and picnic tables too... And go down the road to the mini golf and ice cream stand! read more

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My family and I have been coming here for years. Since before I was even born. We take day trip every year around Columbus Day Weekend and climb through the rocks in the Chasm. They have a big sliding rock for kids to slide down. They also have this thing called Fat Man's Misery, or the lemon squeeze as my family likes to call it. It's two giant cliffs really close together with a small space just big enough for a person to fit through. You have you shimmy your way through and climb out the other side. They have various picnic areas and a playground for kids. It's a great place for a family outing. read more

The walk is nice. Many chipmunks cross the paths. Brought my 8 year old. He enjoyed climbing the rocks however this was a more difficult, more physical than a typical path. However we had a great time, enjoyed the hike, and the scenery. It will be good when the moths finish their life cycle. read more

Having lived in the area all my life this is a great not so hidden gem. It has multiple trails with terrains for all skill levels and at some points the view is just amazing. It was a free state park until a few years ago when they started charging during peak season, but well worth the fee to park. I have always found the staff helpful and friendly. It can get very busy on nice days so show up early. They have multiple parking lots but they fill up fast. If it is really busy it can get overcrowded in the chasm, my best tip if that is the case is to take one of the many side trails. Spots are available for picnics and cooking on fire/ grill pits. read more

Great for hiking and admiring nature, also great to bring some food and have a picnic (they even have grills you can bring charcoal and cook there). I'd give them a 5 but its got ALOT of visitors and it can get quite busy making your 1 on 1 time with nature a bit limited. Tons of rocks to walk over in the chasm which is a cool sight to check out. read more

pretty, great for light hiking, small caving and wandering around the woods.

It is a big, beautiful park with plenty of parking and trails. The chasm was inexplicably filled with screaming children though, so even though this is obviously an unsafe place for little kids, avoid if you want a quiet day. read more

Rocks were a little slippery today due to rain conditions

This was a lot of fun, packed a lunch and hiked, rock climbed, crawled, scaled and shimmied throughout the entire park. We had a blast. The suggested trails are very easy and if you want a challenge you can easily find it. Good day and only a few hours, kids enjoyed. read more

place is awesome, great way to make a cheap day fun. Great for the adventurer type or someone just looking to do something a little bit different than a normal walk or hike. Treking the rocky terrain can be fun and treacherous. Overall great time read more

Great fun for all ages. Easy free parking and walking paths for any level or age group

My wife and I dropped in on this place one lovely Saturday afternoon in June. We had no idea what to expect, and were not dressed for hiking. The floor of the chasm is littered with huge glacial debris, mostly slanted with narrow passageways to negotiate. In my tennis shoes, I was at a disadvantage but challenged by all the young people scrambling around with ease on all sides. I think I was probably the oldest person in the chasm by 30 years. If I had been properly attired for hiking with boots and sturdy trousers I would have had more fun. My wife cannot negotiate these rocks so I didn't spend a whole lot of time exploring but may come back someday on my own. It certainly is a challenge and beautiful in its own dramatic way. The place is very well kept up and properly signed. It is also quite popular. I can recommend it highly if you keep in mind the terrain. An ice cream truck stood nearby, almost all sold out by three o'clock. read more

What a great place to spend a few hours (or a half day if you bring the family and a picnic). Coming from Colorado, I didn't think I would be easily impressed by any rock formations or things like that, but Purgatory was a pleasant surprise. The Chasm itself is a fun place to explore what nature carved out back during the ice age (I believe that is when it said it was formed). The chasm's walls loom high above as you climb and wind your way through the path of rocks and caves (if you choose to go in any). Fat man's misery is a fun one to go through (unless maybe if you are indeed on the hefty side). Remember to wear shoes with good tread, because it can get quite slippery, especially after it rains. There are several different paths you can take once you get through the chasm and most circle back towards the parking lot. There are also several picnic tables scattered throughout the park where you can either eat in the woods or out near the parking area. Just beware that on weekends during the summer there can be droves of screaming children everywhere, so arrive early if you want to hike in peace. read more

awesome place. gets packed with little kids so it's best to show up when they're in school. i did some rock climbing (permit required) here but it's kind of annoying when you have groups staring at you unless you like the overwhelming attention. It's also kinda sketchy setting up your anchors where people are walking around up top. The place is free and has plenty of parking. Excellent for a picnic when it's not crowded but great for people watching from above when it is. read more

Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Beautiful, fun, adventurous, great for young children! We went on a holiday weekend and had a blast. It was our first time here, we brought our three children (barely 3, 4 & 6) and a friend (9). All the kids loved it as did my husband and I. The younger two needed some assistance in some of the area, but more watching out for them in case they started to slide or fall. Our 4 year old is low in self confidence when it comes to physical activities, I have noticed a huge change since we went and learned how to maneuver the rocks and trails herself. The park was beautiful, lots of wonderful trails. An awesome playground for the kids with lots of shaded picknic tables and fire pits for lunch. Indoor restrooms at the visitor center. Highly recommended!! My friend use to go with a baby in a backpack regularly and said it is completely manageable that way as well. read more

One of the nicest natural wonders in "The Valley." Great place to spend a day for young and old. Great staff and a nice visitor center.

My young boys and I have really enjoyed this place each time we've been. They love scrambling up and down rocks, peeking in holes, getting muddy and dirty, and generally racing around the chasm. There are a few dodgy places for little kids, but nothing really dangerous if you are reasonably alert and careful. read more

This place is sort of awesome -- it has a handful of short easy trails through a wooded area (nothing over 1 mile; mostly flat, but a few small hills) and one short trail (0.5 miles) through a giant, rocky chasm. Parking isn't bad and there are lots of picnic tables/seating around, if you're inclined to take a break. While the wooded trails are VERY kid/dog friendly, I'd HIIIIIIGHLY advise against taking your dog into the chasm. Getting through it literally involves climbing over boulders (some with sharp edges), leaping from rock to rock, etc. While it's probably do-able for a dog (or a kid), the risk of injury seems pretty high. Overall, though, a really cool place. read more