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West Greenwich, Exeter, Hopkinton and Richmond, R.I.
(401) 539-2356
[Location, Habitat, & Wildlife] [Trail Descriptions] [Trail Maps]
[Rules & Regulations] [Identifying Bird Songs] [Related Books]
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Arcadia Wildlife Management Area West Greenwich, Exeter, Hopkinton and Richmond, R.I. (401) 539-2356 [Location, Habitat, & Wildlife] [Trail Descriptions] [Trail Maps] [Rules & Regulations] [Identifying Bird Songs] [Related Books] |
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Hiking Trail System |
The Arcadia Management Area boasts of an extensive trail system where scenic vistas and wildlife abound. There are 30 miles of hiking trails, maintained by the
Narragansett Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Department of Environmental Management, with 12 strategically located parking areas. The trail
segments run from 1.6 to 9.6 miles and are relatively easy hiking with occasional moderate relief. An average adult can expect to hike one mile in 30 minutes.Yellow Dot Trail SystemYellow Dot Trails comprise the major trail system through the Arcadia Management Area. All trails within the system are marked with yellow blazes. There are fireplaces, picnic tables and toilet facilities at the recreation areas, two ponds with beaches, overnight shelters, and a backpack camping area.1. Arcadia Trail Distance: 6 miles (3 hours) Starting Point: Front of the Division of Forest Environment headquarters, Arcadia Road. Description: The trail leads first through a forestry demonstration area, crosses Spring Brook, extends westerly along a trail built by the Youth Conservation Corps to Browning Mill Pond Recreation Area and continues NW, slabbing a hillside to Appie Crossing. 2. John B. Hudson Trail Distance: 1.6 miles (1 hour) Starting Point: Starts north on an old logging road from the John B. Hudson sign on RI 165 about 2.5 miles west of RI 3. Description: The trail passes an observation tower overlooking the entire Arcadia Area, leads to Breakheart Brook, then goes upstream to Breakheart Pond. (Note: 1 mile from Appie crossing, a White Dot Trail leads to Frosty Hollow Shelters. From the Shelters another White Dot Trail leads to Breakheart Pond). 3. Breakheart Trail Distance: 5 miles (2.5 hours) Starting Point: Austin Farm Road, a short distance east from the bridge below the Fish Ladder Dam at Breakheart Pond. Description: Trail skirts east side of Breakheart Pond, crosses Breakheart Brook, goes through woods and two lovely pine groves, crosses Acid Factory Brook and Phillips Brook, then ascends a shoulder of Penny Hill which affords a fine view of surrounding country. Trail then descends to Falls River Bridge and junction with Ben Utter and Escoheag Trails. 4. Ben Utter Trail Distance: 1.7 miles (45 minutes) Starting Point: Falls River at junction of Breakheart and Escoheag Trails or can be reached by car from RI 165, about 3.5 miles on Brook Trail and Austin Farm Road. Description: Trail follows west side of brook then bears northwest to Stepstone Falls Backpack Area. On the way, foundations of an old grist mill and vertical saw mill may be seen close to trail as it leads to the falls. (Note: Shortly before the backpack area, a White Dot Trail leads to the falls). 5. Tippecansett Trail Distance: 9.6 miles (5 hours) Starting Point: Fire tower on Escoheag Hill Road about 2.5 miles north of RI 165, or the Stepstone Falls Backpack Area. Description: The longest trail in the system, broken into three nearly equal sections by two highways. Trail leads first from the fire tower and cemetery, on through the woods to Paris Brook, and after 2 miles continues along to a high bluff at Beach Pond and down to the beach on RI 165. (Note: Before reaching Beach Pond, notice a Blue Dot trail which is the Pauchaug Trail in Connecticut). Trail crosses highway and continues through woods to Connecticut/Rhode Island line and on to RI 138. (Note: A short White Dot trail leads to the top of Hemlock Ledge which affords a fine view of Beach Pond). South of 138, trail leads to beautiful mountain laurel and interesting rock formations on private property owned by the Boy Scouts, and eventually comes to Yawgoog Road. (Note: A Blue Dot trail connects the Tippecansett to Connecticut). 6. Narragansett Trail Distance: 4.5 miles (2.5 hours) Starting Point: State line on Yawgoog Road Description: Follows the west shore of Yawgoog Pond, ascends to junction with Boy Scout trails, and on to native rhododendron thickets, mountain laurel country, and to a high point with pines, blueberry bushes and a view of Ell Pond. Trail continues to a prominent view of Long Pond, and to the Hopkinton Recreation Area. White Dot Trail SystemWhite Dot Trails which are appropriately marked with white blazes are cut-off trails which provide access to facilities or particularly attractive scenic vistas.1. Mt. Tom Trail Distance: 3 miles (2 hours) Starting Point: Appie Crossing on RI 165 at the junction of Arcadia and John B. Hudson Trails, 2.5 miles west of RI 3. Description: Starts south on Arcadia Trail, turns through woods to parking area on Wood River just south of RI 165. Trail then crosses Wood River Bridge, heads south through young pines, crosses bridge over Parris Brook, follows brook to another bridge then turns left and up Mt. Tom slope along the edge of a steep cliff to Mt. Tom cliffs with a truly beautiful view. Trail continues over rocky ledges, crosses RI 165, and goes on to junction with Escoheag Trail. 2. Escoheag Trail Distance: 2 miles (1 hour) Starting Point: Take Escoheag Hill Road north from RI 165 at Escoheag Post Office 0.9 miles to Austin Farm Road. Trail starts at parking area. Description: Trail leads first to an open shelter with nice views, goes east through forest with interesting ledges and crosses two valleys. From there the trail goes through open country on to junction with Ben Utter and Breakheart trails. Blue Dot Trail SystemBlue Dot Trails connect RI hiking trails to the Pauchaug Trail System in Connecticut. |
Related Books(The Tomorrow Fund, A Rhode Island based Nonprofit Charity For Kids with Cancer, Gets a Portion of Each Book Sold) | |
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Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island: A Guide to the Natural and Historic Wonders of the Ocean StateWalks and Rambles in Rhode IslandBy Ken Weber A Rhode Island hikers resource for over ten years, Walks and Rambles provides descriptions of forty natural areas including maps, driving directions, and descriptions of sights on the trail. Other important information such as degree of difficulty, time, and best time of year to visit are described as well, making Walks and Rambles a knapsack necessity. A number of Arcadia Wildlife Management Area trails are featured. |
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More Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island:More Walks and Rambles in Rhode IslandBy Ken Weber If you enjoyed his original Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island, you'll enjoy this companion book with forty additional walks described. These walks include more of the hidden gems of Rhode Island you wouldn't want to miss. |
