Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

When my husband and I are looking for an easy “hike” with great views, one of our first thoughts is the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Middletown, RI. It is the perfect spot to enjoy beautiful water views and a lot of wildlife. While I am not a bird watching aficionado, I do know it is a great spot for seeing loons, gannets, harlequin ducks and even the endangered piping plover. Between the birds, the blooming plants and the views throughout the refuge, make sure to have your camera ready!

We love to take visitors to this spot because they always want to be near the ocean but also be active. Sachuest Point gives us both.  There are nearly 3 miles of trails and includes 40 acres of salt marsh lands and steep rocky shorelines. It is a mostly flat trail, so you won’t get too tired if you want to combine this with some shopping or eating in nearby Newport. But you can also spend time and energy climbing the rocks around the perimeter. (I hear it is a great spot for saltwater fishing too!)

The Visitor Center is the perfect place to start or end your walk. The volunteers and exhibits are fantastic!  (And the air conditioning and bathrooms don’t hurt either.). Make sure to bring water with you if visiting on a sunny day. There is NO shade here.  (And no dogs allowed.)  But don’t let that deter you. The views are incredible, and you can get even better views on the elevated observation platforms along the trail. It truly is a Rhode Island gem.

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center is open 10am-2pm.  You can get more information at: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sachuest-point

-Robin Lake, Director of Client Services