Ninigret Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Ninigret Park is a popular attraction in the state of Rhode Island, offering a variety of recreational activities and natural beauty.
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Summary
The park boasts over 227 acres of land, including a freshwater pond, beach, and walking trails. Visitors can enjoy swimming, kayaking, fishing, and picnicking in the park.
One of the main points of interest at Ninigret Park is the Charlestown Rathskeller, which is a historic building that dates back to the 1930s. The Rathskeller has been restored and is now used as a venue for events and concerts. Other notable attractions in the park include the Ninigret Conservation Area, which offers opportunities for hiking and birdwatching, and the Frosty Drew Nature Center and Observatory, where visitors can learn about astronomy and stargaze.
Interesting facts about Ninigret Park include that it was once a naval air station during World War II and that it is named after the famous Native American sachem, Ninigret. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and ospreys.
The best time of year to visit Ninigret Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the beach and water activities are most enjoyable. However, the park is open year-round and offers seasonal activities such as ice skating and cross-country skiing in the winter. Overall, Ninigret Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty 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.
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Fort Ninigret
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