Looking to catch the best of Rhode Island’s fall colors? Head out to one of these great hikes perfect for the fall season! Escape into the woods for a few hours and enjoy the crisp air and fallen leaves crunching beneath your feet. If you’re not sure where to start, here are five great spots for that autumn hike in the Ocean State.
With four connected trails, Tillinghast Pond is the perfect place to spend all day hiking. You’ll pass by benches and scenic spots where you can stop for a moment and enjoy nature before continuing on your walk. For those who like to understand what they’re seeing on a deeper level, Tillinghast also has placed signs around the area that describe the native plant specimen to visitors.
Enter deep enough within the layers of foliage and you’ll find a war memorial located in the center of this forest preserve. You’ll want to follow the World War II Memorial Trail for half an hour until you stumble upon the memorial, which was the site of an army airplane crash in 1943. In addition to the memorial, you’ll also discover great views of Providence and the surrounding landscape.
This historical refuge (protected by the Audubon Society) comprises over 1,000 acres of diverse forest and wetland ecosystems, like beech forests and cedar swamps. The wetlands are nestled within geographic features called kettle holes, which were created thousands of years ago by chunks of ice breaking away from the glaciers that swept over the entire state. Today, you might also stumble upon a cemetery once you’re within the forest.
Beautiful fall scenery can be accessed without having to traverse difficult terrain! The trails around Glen Rock Reservoir are more like walking trails than hiking trails—making it a nice spot to bring the family or your dogs. If you’re not too intimidated by the threat of chilly water, rent a kayak and take it along Queen’s River to explore more of the fall foliage from the water.
Though you won’t be able to enjoy the beach during the fall, Lincoln Woods has plenty more to offer. Located in Blackstone Valley near routes 146 and 123, this state park doesn’t take long to get to when coming from Providence. The dense forests throughout the park turn to a bright yellow during October—you won’t want to miss hiking there.
