Connor's Farm Conservation Area is by far, one of my favorite places for hiking in Rhode Island…read more Described as a hidden gem within the state, the main trailhead for this area is nestled in a nice neighborhood in Smithfield. If you are looking for a little bit of elevation, this is your place. I traipsed around here for approximately 2 miles and enjoyed every moment of it. Ponds, birdhouses, brooks, glacial rock formations, caves, overlooks, beech groves, a wild cranberry bog, stone bridges and so much more. The trails are marked by color - red, green, blue, and yellow. It is very easy to stay on trail here as everything is very well marked and their are signs at most intersections identifying where you are on the map. It is the one hike I've taken lately where the maps at the trailhead were actually stocked! This land was once part of the Connors family farm (surprise!). The trail system was built by the Boy Scouts in the 90s. My favorite view was from the top of the boulder field. Do expect some strenuous sections but its worth it! Beautiful in the spring/summer!

Nice place for a quiet, peaceful lunch and meditation, or hike. Not very long or strenuous. Limited…read moreparking.

I wasn't impressed with this site. It's in the eastern half of the state and you hear almost…read moreconstant noise from planes, a train, and automobiles. We took the Chasm trail but the trail off it to the chasm itself was closed for repairs. Hit the Summit trail and didn't see an overlook at the top, just an ugly concrete water tower. My now my knee was bothering me as I am not a spring chicken, so we went back down to the parking lot. Looked at the map and saw it was quite a ways beyond the water tower to the lookout. I probably could have made it to the outlook and back if I hadn't gone off on the chasm trail. Maybe this is a better site for younger folks, though they did have reading glasses at the kiosk for older folks like me, which I've never seen anywhere before and which, along with clearly marked trails, got them a second star.

I came and did the yellow trail counterclockwise starting at the trailhead off oak hill rd. The…read moretrails were really well marked and easy to follow. The 3.3 mile trail was pretty easy and took me an hour to complete. When I came at 3:30 on a Thursday there were only 2 cars in the parking lot. When I left at 4:30 there were 7 cars at the trailhead. Nice place. I was staying at the minuteman campground and it was only a 5 minute drive from there.

If you're looking for a peaceful outdoor escape in Central Mass, Blackstone River & Canal State…read morePark is a hidden gem. Spring is the perfect time to visit. The trees are just starting to bud, the landscape has that first hint of green, and--best of all--the bugs haven't shown up yet. Add in a warming sun, and it's ideal for a long, relaxed walk. The canal and scenic trails along the Blackstone River are great for walking, running, or biking. If you take your time, you'll spot plenty of bluegills in the water, and occasionally bass or carp. You'll also see fishermen scattered along the canal and river, adding to the laid-back, local feel. What really stands out is how quiet it is compared to other state parks. Unless there is an event, there are no large crowds, and little noise--just open space and nature. Perfect for a casual stroll, a bike ride, fishing, frisbee, a picnic, or just clearing your head.

A slightly secluded walkway. Paved and straight, it's good for a quick little run/walk. There…read morewere about a dozen people walking in the area I was in when I was there even with it being late afternoon, so I would imagine its even busier during peak times.

Easy to find. Small pakring lot for about 12 cars. I headed straight up to the top of the hill…read more It seems like it is about 10

This is a very popular spot for some easy climbing and hiking...a popular hangout for high…read moreschoolers as well. Lovely view from the top, the climb is steep but not difficult with wooden rails places up the trail to help with the climb. A few picnic areas with benches, streams and woided and rock trails, unmarked but easy to follow.

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.

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.

This review is for the Chauncy Lake trail which runs alongside Chauncey Lake in Westborough, MA…read more Note that the trail does not go all the way around the lake to where the beach is. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful, easy hike in the fall! In order to get to the trail if you're going south on Lyman, you'll turn off on Hospital Road and go towards the lake. There is a paved parking lot. Note that there are no bathrooms or water fountains at the trail. There may be some at the beach area but we didn't make it there because the trail ended and we turned around. As a Floridian, I really enjoyed the lakeside hike to see some gorgeous fall colors!

The beach is for Westborough & Northborough residents only & during the summer season there are…read morelifeguards on duty. It's clean & kid friendly with a decent playground area & a covered picnic table area. There is a walking/hiking trail on the backside of the lake that is dog friendly (most are off-leash) . . . unfortunately many people with large dogs don't pick up their dog's s#!t, so watch your step. Boats are allowed & people occasionally wake-board or waterski on the lake, but jet skis are prohibited.

The Ephraim Hunt Ministerial Land is a conservation area maintained by the Rehoboth Land Trust that…read moreoffers several well maintained pathways through the local woodlands. At approximately 64 acres, this land is a quiet, peaceful place to stretch your legs. Tucked away on Pond Street, there is a dirt parking lot that allows several cars to pull in off the road. The land was purchased by the Rehoboth Land Trust when the Congregational Church at the center of town required funds to repair their sanctuary ceiling and steeple. Wanting to maintain the land as undeveloped, this area remains open to the public to soak in the sights and sounds of nature. Hunting is allowed on the property in-season so be sure to take precautions, as appropriate. Swamps, old fields, brooks, and a high knoll mark the land. A map of the area greets you when you pass through the main gate, though I feel like there were more trails than what was pictured. All-in-all, there are only so many ways to go so its hard to get lost. There are some ups and downs and a lovely little boardwalk that helps you traverse some of the wetlands. The trails were very well maintained and easy to traverse - the blue to orange path gives you a nice loop through the land. The furthest end of the loop skirts the Rehoboth Village Cemetery if you want to make a quick detour.

Wonderful morning on trail to frog pond. 22 bird species including Great Blue Herons, Wood Ducks…read moreand swans along with Downy and Red Bellied Woodpeckers. This place is a special gem. Sheryl was esp. helpful. So glad we stopped!

Great flat trail reservation with lots of little critters for the young ones(frogs, snakes,…read morebeetles,..) and a few small ponds for the kids to throw rocks into. We caught a majestic hawk as we paused to take a deep breath in (w/o our masks for a few seconds). It reminded us of how nature puts a pause to time and that trees indeed heal the weary soul. Our 6 yr old made some good memories here.

this is a cool spot to go on a walk. there's some places where the trail breaks off and there's…read morealso a loop path around the water which is rly nice! would recommend

This place is awesome!! Great trails but we technically only hiked for a half hour but beautiful…read moreand lush with trees and it wraps around a beautiful lake with kayak launching spots. I parked in the private lot that was next to the gated playground. Playground was small but had great stuff.