Pequot Woods Public Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Pequot Woods Public Area is a 177-acre protected area in the town of Westerly, Rhode Island.
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Summary
The area is managed by the Westerly Land Trust and offers visitors a chance to explore a diverse range of habitats, including wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands.
One of the main reasons to visit Pequot Woods is for hiking and nature observation. The park has several well-maintained trails that range in difficulty and offer beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The area is also known for its diverse bird population, making it a popular spot for birdwatching.
Some of the specific points of interest to see within Pequot Woods include the historic Fox Hill Farm, which was once an important dairy farm in the area, and the Quonochontaug Pond Overlook, which provides stunning views of the pond and surrounding wetlands.
Interesting facts about the area include that it was once used as a Native American hunting ground and that it is home to several rare and endangered plant species.
The best time of year to visit Pequot Woods is during the spring and fall when the weather is cooler and the foliage is especially beautiful. However, the area is open year-round and offers visitors a chance to experience the changing seasons in Rhode Island.
Overall, Pequot Woods Public Area is a beautiful and diverse natural area that is perfect for hiking, birdwatching, and nature observation. Whether you are a local resident or a visitor to the area, it is definitely worth exploring.
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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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