Trail Tour

The East Branch: Rhode Island
Pulaski State Park to Massachusetts border

Pulaski State Park and the George Washington Management Area contains some of the finest lakeshore walking in the state. The proposed New England Trail route would begin with a visit to Bowdish Reservoir, with its extensive camping area, swimming beach, and beautiful shoreline. The landscape here is very rocky, and there are plenty of natural stone piers that extend out into the water, providing ideal places to fish or simply relax and read a book (right).

From here, the route would join the Walkabout Trail for a bit, as it winds around Bowdish Reservoir and Wilbur Pond. The Walkabout has an interesting history. In 1965, the crew of the Australian Navy vessel H.M.A.S. Perth, was waiting in Rhode Island for their ship. Their commanding officer decided that his crew should be "usefully employed" during their wait, and asked the Rhode Island Division of Forests for some ideas. The result was the construction of the Walkabout Trail, as well as other improvements to the park. The route would include Pulaski Wildlife Marsh and a covered bridge. 
 

Buck Hill Wildlife Management Area is a green gem nestled the northwest corner of the state. The North-South Trail route passes near the top of Buck Hill, then traverses the high fields of Badger Mountain and Benson Mountain. The fields are maintained to attract wildlife. During  late summer, they're also a good place to watch for butterflies (left) and birds of all sorts. The contrast between the high fields and  oak- hickory forests are interesting, and make for a very enjoyable, leisurely hike. North of Buck Hill, the North South Trail becomes the Midstate Trail in Massachusetts. 

Resources

Greenways Alliance of Rhode Island
Rhode Island Greenways Council
Rhode Island Land Trust Council
Rhode Island Division of Parks and Recreation
North-South Trail maps 
Appalachian Mountain Club--Narragansett Chapter

George Washington State Park
George Washington State Park map
Pulaski State Park
Buck Hill Wildlife Management Area map

......

[ Back to Start Tour]  [Top]