Beavertail State Park

8/10 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

Smiling Approved Mommy Faces

http://riparks.com/Locations/LocationBeavertail.html

Beavertail Road

Jamestown, RI 02835

Beavertail State Park is a great location.  It is a nice size (345 acres) with green space and trails throughout.  The park houses one of the country’s oldest lighthouse with a museum with an aquarium that I have yet to visit. (From what I found on-line, the aquarium is actually FREE, small and quite good for kids, offering education and animal encounters from animals found outside on the rocks /ocean of Beavertail Park-another draw to get me back I guess!) The views around the lighthouse and throughout the park are breathtaking.  If you like Maine for it’s rocky coastline, you will like Jamestown because they are similar in the regard.  The Narragansett Bay is a cobalt blue that is visible all around you.  You can even walk onto some of the low-lying rocks with caution.  Going with my kids who never 100% listen was a bit nerve-racking.  They loved the breezy ocean air and were intrigued by all the tide pools because they love searching for creatures.

Besides admiring the water and climbing the rocks, we hiked.  It started out being wide enough for 3-4 people and then narrowed as we got further into the trail, only allowing for  single-file at that point.  There were many simple natural benches throughout the hike that overlooked a water view or just positioned in the grass to allow for relaxation.  Some of the trails were a bit muddy which is to be expected in spring.  This was the best for my 5 year old daughter who came prepared in her new rain boots and my 3 year old son who doesn’t care what he has on his feet, he is going in muddy puddles!

We saw several small groups of people sitting in beach chairs at their car looking into the ocean, sun bathing, kite flying, biking and hiking.  This is a leashed-dog friendly park so we also saw several dogs.  They all looked very content strolling along the coastline with the wind in their fur.

At this park, we didn’t make it  through the entire hike which is a 2.3 mile loop.  With kids, you just never know what the day will bring.  Sometimes they are happy and cooperative and other times not so much.  Today they were just pokey and wanted to check out all the plants, bugs and birds (who can blame them), so we called it quits after a couple of hours of exploration.

 

 

THE SKINNY:

• Weather : Unless you don’t mind being in rain or snow, I would say pick a nice warm and dry day to go.  Besides the museum and aquarium, this is a completely outside park without shelter.  You can also sit in your car to enjoy the views if the weather is not ideal.
• Admissions and Parking : FREE and ample parking
• Hours : Sun up to sundown
• Tips and Recommendations :
  1. Bring bug spray if you want to hike.
  2. Wear shoes that are okay to get muddy and also good enough to trek down a rocky pathway to the tidal pools for exploring.
  3. Pack food, there is nothing to eat sold on site. ( unless there is at the museum? )
  4. It gets so windy here by the water so bring some layers even if it is a warm day back home inland.
  5. Wear sunscreen always by the water.

Jewel Approved 👍🏼  Jamison Approved 👍🏼

 

Please follow and like us: