Beavertail State Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Beavertail State Park, located in Jamestown, Rhode Island, offers visitors stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

Some of the top reasons to visit the park include hiking, fishing, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. One of the park's main attractions is the lighthouse, which dates back to 1856 and is open to the public during the summer season.

The park also features several walking trails, with the most popular being the 3/4 mile Beavertail Point Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the coastline. Visitors can also explore tide pools and watch migratory birds, seals, and whales from the park's rocky outcroppings.

Interesting facts about Beavertail State Park include that the area was once used by Native Americans for fishing and shellfishing, and it was also used as a lookout point during World War II. The park was established in 1959 and has since become a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

The best time of year to visit Beavertail State Park is during the summer season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when the lighthouse is open for tours and the park offers a range of activities. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy hiking and wildlife viewing during the offseason.

Overall, Beavertail State Park is a beautiful and historic destination that offers a range of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks