There were more than 7 million visits to RI state parks in 2023. These 5 are most popular.

Katie Landeck, Providence Journal
·4 min read

With 13 state parks, Rhode Island has its share of green space for people looking to get outside, and plenty of people took advantage in 2023. There were more than 7.6 million visits to the state parks, according to the Department of Environmental Management.

But some of the parks are more popular than others.

The Providence Journal asked DEM which state park was the most popular in 2023, based on attendance. This is measured by car counts, which is then multiplied by 3.2 persons per vehicle to estimate attendance. It's the same measurement used by the National Park Service.

"These estimates are probably low, because we do not count patrons who walk, bike, bus or rideshare," DEM spokesman Michael Healey said in an email. "Since COVID, we’ve observed many more people ridesharing to parks and beaches than previously."

Here's the list. The top two, according to Healey, have "typically" been the most popular.

The most popular state parks in Rhode Island in 2023

5. Beavertail State Park

Beavertail State Park in Jamestown. Beavertail Point was the site of the first lighthouse built in Rhode Island, the third in America, in 1749.
Beavertail State Park in Jamestown. Beavertail Point was the site of the first lighthouse built in Rhode Island, the third in America, in 1749.

Number of vehicles: 168,701

Attendance: 536,843

Address: Beavertail Road, Jamestown

What to know: With views of the sea so breathtaking that wedding photographers recommend it as a spot to get engaged, it's no wonder that Beavertail is a favorite spot. In the summer, you'll often see people sitting out on the lawn, enjoying the view while playing games, and all year round you'll see fishermen casting from the rocks. The hiking trails that loop around the park make for an easy hike and offer plenty of lookouts for birders. And, of course, we would be remiss not to mention the Beavertail Lighthouse, which does open to the public, and the seasonal aquarium.

There are 21 lighthouses in Rhode Island What to know and which ones to visit

4. Goddard Memorial State Park

Sally Rock Point includes a series of rocks that stretch from the beach into Greenwich Bay from the northeast corner of Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick.
Sally Rock Point includes a series of rocks that stretch from the beach into Greenwich Bay from the northeast corner of Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick.

Number of vehicles: 204,674

Attendance: 654,957

Address: 1095 Ives Road, Warwick

What to know: Billed as the state's "most popular metropolitan park" by DEM, this park that overlooks Greenwich Cove and Greenwich Bay has horseback riding trails and saltwater swimming, and it's home to the state's golf course. The hiking trails are not to be missed, but it's also a great spot for just enjoying a picnic and relaxing.

Walking RI: High-flying history of Goddard Memorial State Park

3. Lincoln Woods State Park

Sunset over Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park.
Sunset over Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park.

Number of vehicles: 270,673

Attendance: 866,154

Address: 2 Manchester Print Works Road, Lincoln

What to know: If you want to take a walk or a run through a lovely wooded area, this is the park for you. There's a paved loop around the pond, with dirt trails breaking off to the side. There's also a beach area in the summer for freshwater swimming, and in the winter it's one of three Rhode Island state parks that's tested for ice safety if you want to go skating.

Walking RI: Winter blahs? Make tracks for Lincoln Woods

2. Fort Adams State Park

A portion of the Fort Adams Bay Walk is a paved road that runs parallel to the west wall of the former coastal defense installation, completed in 1857.
A portion of the Fort Adams Bay Walk is a paved road that runs parallel to the west wall of the former coastal defense installation, completed in 1857.

Number of vehicles: 292,955

Attendance:  937,456

Address:  80 Fort Adams Drive, Newport

What to know: The centerpiece of this park is, of course, the fort it's named after. An Army fort for more than 100 years and a Navy base for another 10, the massive structure was once the perch from which Newport Harbor was protected. Tours of Fort Adams are available, for a fee, through the Fort Adams Trust. Other big draws are the Newport Folk Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival, which bring huge crowds to the park every summer. But even if you're not going for the fort or a festival, the park itself has grounds that are worth visiting, just to hang out at, take a walk, ride a bike, picnic or do some fishing.

Walking RI: Heading to Newport? Get some exercise and water views in this easy walk around Fort Adams

1. Colt State Park

Anglers cast from the pier at Colt State Park in Bristol.
Anglers cast from the pier at Colt State Park in Bristol.

Number of vehicles: 520,546

Attendance:  1,665,747

Address: Route 114, Bristol

What to expect: Sweeping views of Narragansett Bay? Check. Spots pretty enough to get married at? Absolutely. Bike paths that can take you all the way to Providence? It has those, too. Saltwater fishing? Boat ramps? Swimming? Places to play? Check, check, check and check. Colt State Park is called the "gem" of the Rhode Island state park system for a reason, and people obviously agree, as it's the most popular park by far.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Have you visited all 5 of RI's most popular state parks? Read the list