Iola French Park
Rate this placeNearby: Corliss Park Wanskuck Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Iola French Park is a 91-acre park located in the state of Rhode Island.
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Summary
It offers visitors a peaceful and natural environment to enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, biking, and picnicking.
One of the main reasons to visit Iola French Park is its stunning natural beauty. The park is home to several miles of hiking trails, which wind through dense forests and over babbling streams. Along the way, visitors can enjoy views of the park's many ponds and wetlands.
There are also several points of interest to see within the park, including the historic Stone Arch Bridge, which was built in 1900 and spans the park's main pond. Another must-see attraction is the park's 18-hole disc golf course, which offers a fun and challenging activity for visitors of all ages.
In addition to its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, Iola French Park is also home to a fascinating history. The park was once the site of a thriving mill industry, and visitors can still see the remnants of old mill buildings and dams scattered throughout the park.
The best time of year to visit Iola French Park is during the spring and summer months, when the park is in full bloom and the weather is warm and sunny. However, the park is also open year-round, and visitors can enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and other winter activities during the colder months.
Overall, Iola French Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty, history, and recreational opportunities of Rhode Island.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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
Corliss Park
Wanskuck Park
Prete-Metcalf Field
Hopkins Square
Ascham Street Park