Cocumscussoc State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cocumscussoc State Park is located in the town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island.


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Summary

The park offers visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty of Rhode Island, with over 85 acres of forests, marshes, and wetlands to explore. There are several reasons to visit the park, including hiking, bird-watching, and fishing. The park also offers a variety of educational programs and events throughout the year.

One of the most popular attractions in the park is the historic Smith's Castle, which dates back to the 17th century. Visitors can take a guided tour of the castle to learn more about its history and the role it played in the development of Rhode Island. Other points of interest in the park include the Cocumscussoc Brook, which is popular for fishing, and the park's extensive network of hiking trails.

Interesting facts about Cocumscussoc State Park include the fact that it was once home to the Narragansett tribe of Native Americans, who used the area for hunting and fishing. The park also played a role in the American Revolution, with the nearby Smith's Castle serving as a strategic location for British troops.

The best time of year to visit Cocumscussoc State Park is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities and events throughout the year. Visitors are advised to check the park's website for current information on hours of operation, events, and other important details.

       

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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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