One of the most beautiful parks in Rhode Island. I love to visit at dawn or early in the morning when you pretty much have the entire park to yourself and the deer. Be ready to take plenty of photos. It's a photographers dream in every season, any time of day. read more

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One of my favorite parks ever, truly a beautiful, happy place for me. Here's everything I love about it: 1. Easy access to/from Boston, I've never run into bad traffic the way the Cape is perpetually backlogged. Also a convenient location where, if you're coming from the north, you drive through the cute downtown stretch of Bristol by the water filled with cafes and shops. 2. Free entry and parking. I love the state parks in Massachusetts but I don't love the ever-increasing cost of accessing a green space, especially if you're coming from out-of-state. 3. There's so much to do - walk the paved path along the water, bike, check out the small beach, picnic, etc. My favorite spot to park is by the playground/skateboard area and then do a loop around. There's also a forested hiking trail if you want to wander around a forest without any serious elevation gain. 4. The whole place is spotless and lovingly maintained. If you're swinging through Providence and want your fill of nature, definitely recommend this park. read more

This reminds me of California. It's one of the best family-friendly state parks I've been to. It's so clean, well-maintained and just absolutely beautiful! The ocean breeze and passing ships, the clean green areas, the abundant barbecue/family picnic areas, the clean bathrooms, all make it a solid 5 stars. read more

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Was in Bristol and had some time to kill, and realizing I've never been decided to check Colt State Patk out, and made the best of the raw, damp, misty conditions. From my brief time there, it seemed to offer some compelling ocean views, a boat dock, picnic areas, exercise stations, and some fields for athletics. There are also multiple walking/biking trails throughout the park as well. Will have to check it out again on a nicer day. read more

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We always have so much fun here. So much to do. There are picnic sites, bike trails, fishing dock, boat launch, etc. we love seeing the horse shoe crabs, green crabs and fishing! dog friendly on a leash. Everything is carry in and carry out. There are bathrooms. Sometimes dels lemonade truck is there. Lots of parking. Lots of coastline to walk. We even saw a sea turtle this year! read more

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Legit heaven on earth! My heart is so content! I will definetly be back! I am really hoping to go paddle boarding here this summer! read more

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Growing up in RI, this was the park to go to. You won't miss the entrance, there are two stone lions welcoming you. Colt State Park is on 464 acres and has 4 miles of paved trails. You can watch the sunset/sunrise on Narragansett Bay, ride bikes, fish, hike, fly kites, and have a picnic. In the winter, you can snow shoe or cross country ski. In the summer, you can take your boat out from the boat ramp. There are picnic tables, pavilions, bathrooms, fishing pier, and it's pet friendly (just leash your pets for common courtesy). Also, if you carry in your trash, please carry it out. I have memories of coming here for picnics with friends who live nearby and with my family growing up. This is a beautiful and clean park that is a RI gem. This is located in Bristol, RI which has the oldest 4th of July parade in America! If you're looking to be one with nature, I highly recommend. read more

Beautiful, well maintained park nestled in Bristol. Great place for a day outdoors in the sun with family or friends!

Great park, was able to BBQ ourselves and enjoy the Great Lake view! Have bathroom and great grasslands

Colt State Park is clean, peaceful, and beautiful. The park has plenty of benches, picnic tables, trees for shade, and ocean views. The walking path and bike path is of considerable size. The park has plenty of parking and an actual restroom. The park is also close to many of the great restaurants and coffee shops that Bristol has to offer. read more

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One of the most breathtaking parks in Rhode Island, if not the greater region. The walking paths are so nice, although can feel quite chilly or quite warm depending on the time of year, so dress accordingly! Even on a summer night it can feel chilly, but if you're in the sun in the daytime it can feel sweltering. Still, though, Colt Park always seems to run 10-20 degrees cooler than other areas not immediately on the coast, so this is the perfect spot to go on a warm day. The degree of warmth or cold really seems to depend on how windy it is. We particularly love setting our chairs in a quiet spot and doing some reading and snacking or just talking. Going to Colt Park forces you to slow down, relax, and rest which is such a welcome change from the constant go-go-go. Usually the park is super clean, possibly one of the cleanest parks I've ever visited. The policy is carry in, carry out, and it seems like 95% of people follow that. Unfortunately, a lot of people think it's fine to litter. Sadly, a lot doggy bags seem to get thrown or left, rather than properly disposed of. Shame! read more

Colt State Park is a beautiful place. We'll manicured. Lots of space for families and groups to enjoy nature. read more

Colt State Park - Colt State Park near entrance - Parks Near Me - Bristol, Rhode Island

Beautiful park!! We visited for the first time a couple weeks ago and we loved it. Beautiful walk alongside the water edge. Lots of people having picnics, riding bicycles and playing outdoor games. Picnic area with lots of shade. We're planning on visiting again! read more

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9/2/24. Why are RI residents made to pay fees in State Parks like Colt State Park? We were made to move from an unused picnic table by Park Ranger due to not having paid a fee to reserve. There is a very small 8"x 20" sign at the roadside only, that most bayside picnic tables are by permit only. I have been a RI resident for 35 years, aren't we taxed enough? Gas tax including environmental regulatory fee, sales tax, state tax, car license and registration fee, etc..Ridiculous! These state park fees are supposed to pay for maintenance but, there are not even any trash cans for them to empty in the park? I see this enforcement of state park fees as simply a means for DEM police and Rangers to, in a self-serving way, keep getting a salary. These fees should be removed!! Rhode Island is No Picnic! read more

I have enjoyed Colt State Park for years. Some of the best scenery in the area and plenty of places to have a picnic or grill out. No matter how crowded it has been, there has always been a place to park and an empty picnic table. So grab your picnic basket, or order some takeout, and head to Colt State Park for an awesome afternoon or evening! Walk the bike path, enjoy the beautiful scenery and salt air!!! read more

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Beautiful views especially at sunset! Lots of space to walk along the water and some folks fish off the pier. We saw a number of folks picnicking and using grills. We were also surprised to discover a food truck festival on a random Wednesday! Great place to visit. Follow it up with a visit to nearby downtown Bristol to see some cool colonial homes and great restaurants like Aidans Pub and Bristol Oyster House. read more

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Every time I ride through Colt State Park, I can't stop being amazed on how clean and well kept it is. The bathrooms are clean, the grass is always cut and trimmed, the beach has no litter, overall a nicely kept park. The list of activities inside the park are also amazing, you can go walking, hiking, biking, play ball, go sailing, go kayaking, go boating, picnicking, chilling, etc... Love that many benches are laid out strategically around the park, so visitors can enjoy the view of a ball game or the nice bay in front of you.... Just a beautiful jewel in Bristol that makes the residents and visitors of RI love the state even more... read more

Colt State Park - Spring is here ! - Parks Near Me - Bristol, Rhode Island

I love this park! My favorite spot of the park is behind the chapel; there in a huge field of grass that is great for picnics, tanning and to just let the kids run free. There are public bathrooms over there as well. There is also a beach here. They have picnic tables, and some areas have grill setups read more

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Lovely area with plants, trees, fields, rocks, ocean views, and rest areas. Closed from sunset to sunrise. read more

Colt State Park - Spring - Parks Near Me - Bristol, Rhode Island

We enjoyed our brief visit to this park while vacationing in Newport. There is a wonderful paved path that follows the shoreline and can be combined with other trails through the woods. Though it was midweek, there many people of all ages enjoying picnics, sunbathing and other activities though parking was not a problem. I would likely be walking my dog here everyday if we lived nearby. read more

Colt State Park - Parks Near Me - Bristol, Rhode Island

This is one of the best parks you will ever visit! Surrounded by picturesque views of the Upper Bay, picnic tables in the shaded areas or in full sun, charcoal grills, a chapel, a bike path, walking trails, a beach, boat ramp, nice waterfront breeze and so much more. You often see party's and gatherings of all sorts. The grounds are very well kept and many people have their bridal pictures taken here. You are responsible to dispose of your own trash, and people seem to be really good about doing so!! You could spend hours here and be content!! read more

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Absolutely beautiful park. Fantastic views. Great swimming area. Picnic tables. Swings. Bathroom available. Boat launch. Plenty of parking. Skateboard park area. Right next to the East Bay Bike path. Dog friendly but must be on a leash. Such a great park! read more

Been coming here since I was a kid. You've got the ocean, campgrounds where you can bbq or put up a hammock and more! People will come here to fish, jog, cycle, etc. I really love the fact that the park is so large and well maintained. We arrived with the intention of having a picnic...and so we did! We quickly found a table, enjoyed our meal and then slept on the grass to digest it all lol. Afterwards we walked around a bit and grabbed some Del's. Yep, so when we went, because of COVID, they are only allowing a certain amount of cars in each area. Therefore, you may or may not find yourself driving in circles before you can enter a certain area. Keep that in mind! read more

Colt State Park - "Tanning" after a big meal lol - Parks Near Me - Bristol, Rhode Island

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I had issues reaching Colt State Park using the number printed on their website and map. I was, however, successful at reaching a human being at a different number - 401-253-2247 - who was quite friendly and helpful. We schlepped over to Colt State Park in Bristol, RI from the western part of the Boston Metro area in just over an hour or so - not bad. Oddly, my GPS wasn't able to grasp the address of Route 114, so we went with the old fashioned paper route and watched out for signs. If you are headed out to Colt from up north, the entrance at Route 114 is right after a cemetery on your right and is guarded by a pair of bull statues on either side. Head down that a ways, and you'll come upon a guard house where you might be handed a plastic trash bag on your way in. This is both nice and smart of them, seeing as Colt is Carry In/Carry Out designated - yup, there are no trash cans at Colt. Not even in the bathrooms where they offer electric hand dryers. The road that leads around Colt is mainly one way, counterclockwise, so it is hard to get lost, with a smaller two way road that cuts through the center to the parking lot for the outdoor chapel, which is located across the ways from the largest shelter and one of the three park bathrooms. Some areas of the park are first come first serve - those seemed to be on the right side of the main road, as well as by the fields along the stone walls inland after the office - while some sites seem to be available to be reserved for $2 per picnic table; my impression is that those might be the areas to the left after passing by the boat ramp area, but before the loop in the road leading to the office. But take this with a huge grain of salt - I've only been here once! We noticed plenty of cars parked on the grass in an organized manner. Not sure if that's the norm or not, but given the limited parking, I could see why folks might want to do that. When we inquired at the gate, it does sound like certain areas (like by the stone walls) allow for grass parking, but please be ready to move your vehicle if asked. Loads of fields, a nice water view on one end, a cool looking marshy area at the other, bathrooms available with soap and running water (and really thin toilet paper, just say'n) - I can see why folks head on over here in droves, even on a on-off drizzly day. read more

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Ladies, be careful. Almost car jacked exiting the parking lot. Drivers side door half cocked and closed and a man in the passenger seat and back seat exited in the area of the park to exit blocking me in. It's a beautiful park otherwise. Watch out for people there, though. Super scary situation read more

This is probably one of the nicest parks in the state of Rhode Island. It has everything you could imagine in a park. a sports complex (baseball field, multi soccer fields, hockey rink, tennis courts, and skateboarding park) a town beach (with affordable rates), bike path, walking paths, playground, fishing docks,launching dock, picnic areas, historical farm, and even a wedding venue. Each side of the park also has public restrooms during peak seasons and the sports complex has a concessions stand. The park is kept in emasculate condition and is also pet friendly. Visit this park if you can! read more

My favorite area in Rhode Island as a student. No crowds, no hundreds of tourists lining up to take pictures, just the view, cool breeze, and yourself. The state park itself has free parking and it goes on for awhile. They have a Del's lemonade stand here near the parking lot too just in case you're a tourist and want to try to famous New England treat (it's just a frozen lemonade slushy, comes in different flavors). The walkway is smooth, not bumpy or rough on your feet so you don't have to be wearing tennis shoes-flip flops are fine. You find some parents with their little kids fishing by the dock area a lot in the afternoon. Not a bad place to fish. There are picnic benches everywhere and just park peaches to sit and enjoy the water view every couple of minutes of walking or so. Definitely a must thing to do if you're in Bristol, RI. It'd be a great spot to rollerblade as well because there's not a crowd of people on the walkways either. Beautiful spot. read more

Colt State Park - Walkway - Parks Near Me - Bristol, Rhode Island

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Great state park with beach, playground and skate park. It's very well maintained and perfect for walking, hiking or having a picnic. Plenty of parking. read more

Just another place that has great views of the beautiful Rhode Island bay in historic Bristol. Plenty of people also go on walks and play with their dogs since there are walking paths and large open spaces to move around. read more

Colt State Park is a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors! You have sweeping ocean views, tree-lined trails, and picnic benches galore. I went with family a few months back on a nice day and it was easy to both wear a mask and stay socially distant from others in the park while we were walking. The main loop trail we did took around 40 minutes or so at a leisurely walking pace so you may want to do two loops if you're looking for more exercise. If you'd prefer to bike around the trail there is plenty of space for that too, and there's even a spot where the park connects with the East Bay Bike Path if you want to head to downtown Bristol! read more

What a natural jewel. Colt State Park has a little of everything - walking trails, both paved and wooded, picnic areas, bike trail, large open spaces, an outdoor chapel, expansive views of the Bay, a boat ramp...and that's just a few. How much does this all cost? It's free, my friends. That's right, free. Some of the picnic areas can be reserved for a small fee, but there are others that are on a first come, first serve basis. This park is well-maintained. On any weekday you will see workers picking up trash, mowing, clipping branches, etc. There are a lot of benches and picnic tables on the grounds, as well as plenty of spots to lay out a blanket. It can get crazy here on summer weekends, so you may want to get here early to claim your spot. They also have a fair amount of walkathons that they temporarily close the roads for. If you are driving a bit to get here, you may want to check first. I took my daily walk here today and got to watch a lobster boat hauling traps while walking. What's better than that? If you haven't visited yet, do yourself a favor and go explore this wonderful park. read more

Hands down our favorite place to spend the day. This park has everything. There is small concession stand , the ice cream truck comes frequently , the east bay bike path begins here, basketball, skatepark, baseball, soccer, sandy beach, pavilion, picnic, volleyball... So much more, the showers and bathroom are clean. The park is beautiful and large enough that even when crowded you will feel alone. read more

You may easily pass by this beautiful, enormous park by mistake when driving through Bristol. However, you would be missing out on a stunning, multifaceted destination to catch some rays, bicycle, walk, and picnic. The stone-line pathways along the coast as well as the rustic, stone bridges are reminiscent of stone-lined everything highlighted in the movie, Braveheart. You pretty much have access to the coast for the full stretch of the park! Let's just say I loved the natural setting of this park so much that half of my wedding photos were taken here! This is my favorite park in all of Rhode Island. It's got a bit of something for everyone from the woodsy, dirt paths to the stone bridges, docks, and coast! Colt State Park is a wonderful destination for getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city or tourist magnets like Newport. read more

Colt State Park - Wedding photo op with coast, stone walls, and greenery as the backdrop. - Parks Near Me - Bristol, Rhode Island

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SO happy to have found this place...our friends brought us here on Saturday, enjoyed it so much we went back on Sunday for a picnic. Not sure if there is an admission charge, there was nobody at guard shack on either day. Park was very busy, beautiful brides getting pictures taken, several large groups (with deejays!), lots of couples, families flying kites...whole smorgasbord of people. And still, plenty of space to spread out...lots of empty picnic tables with beautiful views. We found the ocean side to be very windy...it was the day after the so-called hurricane 'Earl' so water was choppy and wind gusts were heavy but it was perfect weather for biking, sunning, hanging, bbq-ing. The next day we came back with our portable grill and had concerns about the flame staying lit so drove around the back to the bay side, which is much more calm. Seems to be less busy as well so it was very nice for our picnic for two. Only saw one bathroom but did not use it. Real toilets though...none of this porta-potty nonsense. Garbage cans also seem to be lacking...perhaps it is 'take what you bring'...not sure. We really enjoyed our time here and can't wait to go back. Oh and bonus points for the Del's Lemonade truck making the rounds on both days. Yum. read more

Colt State Park - Parks Near Me - Bristol, Rhode Island

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The amenities are endless...great place for a picnic or a triathlon. Plenty of cooking areas, hiking/nature trials (almost hidden at the south end of the park- about a mile of paths through the woods..and you really can't get lost as all paths lead back out to the start points), bike path, boat ramp, restrooms, etc.. Half-way into the park, by the restrooms, there is a hut staffed with park rangers..during the summer months they have guided eco-tours and are available for information. The park really jams in the summer with events..so you may want to get there early to reserve your special place. Only downside is..If your a beach lover-this not the place for swimmers-rocky shoreline. Overall a "got-to-see" kind of place. read more

Can you believe the entire area of this park once belonged to someone? It's pretty incredible. Colt State Park boasts free admission and extensive ocean-view picnic grounds. You're responsible for removing your own trash (I'd expect that at any park), and there is a long paved walking trail along the edge of the water. The bathrooms have gotten a lot cleaner than the were back in the day, and a LOT nicer than comparable park or beach bathrooms. There are large fields where your family can play soccer, football, frisbee, etc. Dogs are allowed but need to be leashed. Colt State Park is a great choice if you are seeking a nice, clean, ocean-side park with lots of shade and picnic tables. My family has been coming here since before I was born, and their loyalty has never wavered because Colt State Park never disappoints us. read more

Colt State Park - Parks Near Me - Bristol, Rhode Island

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A trip to another state always warrants a trip to a state park, and I picked Colt Park for the stark difference from my normal park experiences. The Good: -Fabulous views of the bay and a dock to get additional perspectives. -Plenty of Picnic spots: whether it be at one of the many benches around the park or just throwing a blanket along the hillside, you're covered for lunch. -Plenty of free parking The Not-So-Good: -Apparently, Rhode Island doesn't care for trash cans (who does, really?). But to be bringing dogs here and to hold on to dog poop while you stroll can put a damper on the state park experience. Plus, not having trash cans is a sure fire way to encourage littering--nothing like a takeout container in the 'ol porta potty. So you are supposed to bring out what you take in (dog poop included) -The trails were a little choppy and not well marked. Some times you'd be strolling along and then find where the trail left off, and this theme was reoccurring throughout my visit. There weren't any trail maps dispersed along the trail either, It's not too big, so getting lost would be challenging--even by my standards. -The informational signs could use a little love. I love a good history lesson tie in with my hike, but the signs by the dock were chipped so bad it was unreadable. All in all, great for the views and the breeze, a little lacking in the trail, but still worth the visit. read more

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Cold state park is a gem. It is a very large waterfront Park. It's free. Plenty of room to relax for a couple of hours and enjoy the view.

Had an extra hour before a flight out of PVD, and found this place randomly on a map. Really cool views of the water! It was super windy, but I'm sure this is an awesome spot during warmer (less windy) times of the year. There were plenty of parking spaces and a boat launch area. read more

Colt State Park - Parks Near Me - Bristol, Rhode Island

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This is a amazing park to spend your day. There is a bike path that runs along the park that is terrific ! The bay runs along the park as well with perfectly kept grounds where you can bring the family for a picnic cookout and any celebration! This is a free day!! There's also a chapel with seating in a cozy area. There are many outside charcoal grills that are part of the park. This really is a place of beauty. FYI you need to bring trash bags as they ask you to please take your trash with you. I think it helps keep the park exceptionally clean! I am happy to do that considering your not spending any money to use the grounds. Between watching the boats in the harbor and enjoying the family what more could you want for a get away from life. Bring a book and get swept away with the scenery of Bristol harbor. read more