Burligame State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Burlingame State Park is located in the state of Rhode Island and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.


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Summary

One of the main reasons to visit the park is for its beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Visitors can hike, fish, swim, and camp within the park's 3,100 acres of forested land.

One of the main points of interest within Burlingame State Park is Watchaug Pond, which is a popular spot for swimming and fishing. Visitors can also explore the park's many hiking trails, including the Vince Lombardi Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area. There are also several picnic areas and playgrounds within the park.

Interesting facts about Burlingame State Park include that it was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s as part of the New Deal program. The park was named after Paul Burlingame, a former director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

The best time of year to visit Burlingame State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and visitors can take advantage of the park's many outdoor activities. However, the park is also open year-round for camping and hiking.

Overall, Burlingame State Park is a great destination for nature lovers and anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors in Rhode Island.

       

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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.
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