Beavertail State Park

The plan was to catch the biggest striped bass available at the location. Got home empty handed. I am sure you will do better. I got there at 4 a.m. on the 16th. of July. Fishing locations are pretty much all around the peninsula so pick your poison. I was on the west side pretty much under the lighthouse. Seems to me like a perfect location and a perfect morning but no bit. There are four free parking lots, each with a trailhead. Two on the western side as you enter the park. Traffic is one way, as you looped around there are two more free parking lots before you exit the park. Dogs are allow but do pick up after them. There still some dog that do not pick after themselves, surprisingly. I see people bicycling but if you have kids there is no way to keep an eye on them as the road is a loop and they will disappear on you once they begin their ride. They will be sharing their ride with car traffic. People are jogging, tanning and obviously fishing. The are numerous signs to stay off the rocks but I doubt it’s doing any good. How can you fish if you can’t go on the rocks. This is a popular fishing spot so fishing is allowed as far as I know. Plenty of restroom so no need to worry. A few don’t that was posted are swimming, grilling and overnight camping. From the signs there are aquarium and museum but it was closed when I was there. A lot of open grassland perfect for kit but do not know for a fact that it is allow. Such a beautiful place but I was disappointed that grilling is not allowed even though I don’t grill.

It's a lovely and vibrant place where you can truly unwind. Bring a chair and take in the ocean view, or enjoy a relaxing picnic. I've even seen artists capturing the scenery on canvas. The lighthouse features a small but interesting museum, and the volunteers are incredibly knowledgeable. It's fascinating to learn not just about this lighthouse, but about others in the area too.

Very nice park to go yourself or woth friends and family. Great scenery with the lighthouse there and sailboats making their way around the tip. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Restrooms available.

Our dog thoroughly enjoyed her time at this park, as did we. Picturesque location with beautiful views of the coastline & a lot of room to roam. We spent a relaxing day here on a Sunday in April & the park was calm & uncrowded.

Such a pleasant place to go to with the waves chopping onto the shorey rocks, very peaceful very serene, it didn't have that terrible ocean smell, smelled beautiful like sea salt air. Nice breeze coming in off the shore. A nice place to visit.

Beautiful State Park … and it was free. I feel it would be a great place for a family day out. Places to picnic , room to fly a kite or play ball. The lighthouse very nice . Definitely wouldn’t mind going there again

Stopped by for a quick visit on the way to Boston. Very pretty! Love the ocean surroundings. The restrooms: not great. No sink, just sanitizer.

I went to think and listen to the ocean so this was at about 11pm, from what I could see it was beautiful and quiet with just the sound of the waves. There were some fishermen there but nobody bothered me and I saw some deer on my way out which was awesome the drive is also amazing I avoided highways to just have a nice drive and definitely a great spot to clear your head and just listen to the waves.

This state park located at the tip of Jamestown island is a favorite for people to walk, hike, picnic, swim, etc. Many people come here to watch the sunrise and/or the sunsets. The park offers some of the most beautiful vistas along the New England coastline. You can enjoy this pristine landscape from one of four overlooks or walk the rocky coastline, which features excellent saltwater fishing. Beavertail attracts scientists of all ages for an exploration of its fascinating geology, ecology, and marine life. The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum offers historical information about the property, Narragansett Bay, and the shipping industry that helped shape Rhode Island. Just a great place to relax. There are several parking lots located throughout, so if you can't find parking in one, just drive over to the next one....hopefully you will be able to find a spot.

Another RI gem I had never been to until today. Walking trails and many scenic views of the ocean. Site of the first lighthouse, its a nice way to spend an hour or so on a nice day. Plenty of parking and picnic areas. A truly incredible area to enjoy.

Beavertail State Park is a great place to have a picnic and catch the sunset! There are clean outdoor restrooms available. You'll occasionally come across an outdoor wedding ceremony, fireworks and plenty of people flying kites! This park is on-leash dog friendly!.

Jamestown has some lovely scenery. Beavertail is located at one end of the island. Drive past the beach, head up a hill and keep driving. The road makes a loop through the park with a few parking areas along the way. The park includes a walking trail, lighthouse, small aquarium and remains of an old fort. Contact the park through their website for open hours at the lighthouse and aquarium. There are grassy areas to sit, but no beach. Please use care if you choose to climb on the rocks down to the water. Several people have fallen into the water and the waves slam them into the rocks along the slope. This usually does not end well. Best to enjoy the view from the grass. Like all RI State Parks this is a 'carry in/carry out' location. If you plan to bring a group contact the park manager through their website to make arrangements. Bring a chair, a lunch, a book or a bike and enjoy the ocean views. https://riparks.ri.gov/parks/beavertail-state-park

What a stunning experience ~ an absolute must walk in this area. I have trouble with my feet and this walk around the lighthouse area and even venturing down to the rocks, was well worth it. Pro-tip, the restrooms are five larger white porta-potty's located as you approach the lighthouse area from either parking lot two or three. Our visit was prior to the start of the full season so the museum was closed, but much of the fascinating historical information is available online. A couple of fishermen were certainly enjoying themselves near the water. It made for an additional scenic view. I'm so pleased we stopped here in our travels. We do enjoy the breeze and the sounds of the water crashing on the rocks.

For those that love light houses and a romantic walk by the ocean, you can not miss this opportunity. It's free and nature it's breathtaking. I totally recommend this RI natural beauty for those Who love nature as i do.

I didn't spend much time in the park. I was here to check out the Beavertail Lighthouse and I would ordinarily create a new business for the lighthouse but the bright sparks at Yelp will just merge it. So let's save them the trouble, eh? The current Beavertail Lighthouse dates back to 1856 and marks the entrance to Narragansett Bay. It is 64 feet tall and is on the southernmost point of Conanicut Island. It is only the most recent structure here - others date back to at least 1705 though they were either destroyed by fire or vandalizing British sailors retreating from the end of the Revolutionary War. The building is usually open for tours though not at 6pm when I arrived. It was a super clear evening so I had plenty of opportunity to walk around and enjoy the site and appreciate this beautiful lighthouse. [Review 18651 overall - 71 in Rhode Island - 2173 of 2022.]

Beavertail is a beautiful place to visit, relax, and explore. There are walking paths and trails and some museums to explore. There's free parking and many people bring chairs and blankets to sit and simply watch the waves crash on the rocks or watch the boats pass by. It's a family friendly place to enjoy and worth the trip.

Beavertail State Park encompasses 153 acres at the southern end of Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. From the air, the island resembles a beaver's tail, hence the name. At this park, you can visit a historic lighthouse, see the remnants of an old fort, explore tide pools and walk along coastal trails. Many people we saw were simply relaxing in the ocean breeze with the sound of waves crashing against the rocks. We visited the park with our dog. It is a dog friendly place. We walked by the remains of Battery Whiting on our way to the lighthouse. I went into the museum while hubby waited outside with the dog. The museum is staffed by volunteers who show the artifacts to visitors. There are storyboards and a short film. The tower is only open for climbing occasionally. It was closed the day I visited.

Absolutely beautiful park!!! We stopped by recently when we were on a day trip and we couldn't believe how gorgeous it was here!!! The place was packed with cars but we were able to find a parking spot pretty easily. Gorgeous views everywhere, lots of grassy areas to park your chairs and blankets to spend a few hours or more relaxing and/or picnicking. We'll definitely return to spend more time here!

Beautiful, clean, large park. Plenty of places to explore, lay out, climb rocks and see sights. They have clean bathrooms available also which I especially appreciate.

Nice place to walk around on a nice day. There's a lot of people fishing near the lighthouse. Big grassy area for your picnic needs. They have bathrooms and plenty of parking. It's a good little walk for people who are out of town and would like to see the eastern part of the US beaches. Different site from the west coast.

This is a beautiful, must-visit location if you are lucky enough to be in Jamestown RI. Beautiful, majestic vistas are all around you with plenty of grassy areas as well as rocky overlooks available to find a private space to commune with nature. We were lucky enough to visit during the fall migration of the Monarch butterflies. This location is one of the layover spots of Monarch butterflies on their annual journey south to Mexico for the winter. While they were illusive to photograph you will have to trust me to say that there were hundreds of gorgeous orange monarch butterflies flittering all around us. Magical. We struck up a conversation with a man there who said that if you come here at dawn or dusk, the sky is unbelievably filled with the Monarchs and that it is truly a sight to behold. We were sorry to miss those two time slots but will be sure to remember for next time. There were also thousands of dragonflies flying about; I am not sure why. I love dragonflies too...they are such lovely and helpful insects as they eat flies and mosquitos. They are valuable friends. Make it a point to come to Beavertail when you're in Jamestown. If the weather is good plan on bringing a picnic lunch. You will need a couple of folding beach chairs if you care to sit on the rocky outcroppings which bring you close to the sound of the surf and the beautiful, seemingly infinite views. Narragansett Bay is a stunner.

A must to-do while in the Providence/Warwick/Newport area! About a 20 minute drive from the main highway (138) and there isn't much to see along the way. Nor are there many, if any, signs directing you toward the Museum. But, you will be glad once you see the beautiful park grounds. There are lots of parking spaces, both on the right side of the park (west) where you enter and further around on the other side (east) of the park. There was a moderate crowd there on a Thursday early afternoon, most of which were not visiting the museum/lighthouse, but relaxing in the park. The park contains some lovely coastline with amazing views that people were relaxing and fishing on. There are lots of large rocks along the coastline to relax on making for some great photo ops. There are a few port-a-pottys nearby the parking areas. There are a few large grassy areas before you make your way to the lighthouse and museum itself. You have to walk around to the South side of the park to enter the building. Once we entered the museum portion of the building, we were greeted by a staff member who was more than willing to tell us about the lighthouse and its history. He was very informative and friendly. You can tell he really enjoys sharing the information which was awesome. You make your way through a bunch of museum-style exhibits in each of the rooms. Some of the exhibits were interactive which made it more interesting. The lighthouse itself can only be ascended at limited times during the year....about 2-3 times per month during the peak season. So you may want to visit their website to plan ahead if you are interesting in climbing the tower. There is also a gift shop with the typical gift-shop items: magnets, post cards, books and other small trinkets. Overall we had a great time here... even though we couldn't climb the tower, the museum was great and the views of the park were simply breathtaking...and best of all it is COMPLETELY FREE. As always though, please donate to the museum and support the gift shop if you can. (There is also a requested donation of $5 to climb the tower on available days).

Such a beautifulllll state park with lots of history to take in, even when the weather is chilly!! Beautiful ocean-side views, great for brisk walks, flat hikes, and ocean-views. Absolutely must visit if you are a nature lover!

This place has some gorgeous views and walkable trails. The rocky cliffs are amazing and make for some great photo ops. There is plenty of flat space if you want to set up for a picnic or just sit and gaze out over the water. They also have some of the nicest restrooms I've seen at a park. There is also a small lighthouse here. Not sure if you can go inside but it might be worth looking into if you're a lighthouse enthusiast.

Beavertail is one of my favorite places to go watch the sunset in the summer. It's so beautiful & just hearing the waves crash against all the rocks is like music to my ears. I have been going here since i was young & i plan on keep going. Such an amazing view.

Very well maintained grounds and lighthouse located in lovely Jamestown, RI. This is a very large state park with plenty of parking and great spots for a picnic or to just sit back and enjoy the stunning views!!!

A nice, large park full of paths to walk around and enjoy the views of the lighthouse and the grounds. There are multiple large lots, so you are sure to find a spot. It is spread out enough that even on a busy day you can still avoid other people enjoying the park.

All roads on Aquidneck Island lead sooner or later to Beavertail Park and that's a good thing. What a view! Craggy shoreline, open ocean, rock pools, crashing waves - plus plenty of parking, easy walking, spacious and picturesque spots for picnics, gazing, and just plain goofing off. Beavertail never feels very crowded as there are many nooks and crannies to find your own space and wallow in splendid isolation. In addition to the spectacular views, there's also an historical and educational element to the park in terms of the Beavertail lighthouse and lighthouse museum - and the small aquarium highlighting local species. The museum itself is charming and instructive ... and all free of charge. Be forewarned that there's no running water in the park; outhouses are available.

Nice spot to have a picnic or just relax and listen to the waves crashing on the rocks. Bathrooms weren't horrendous for being in a state park. Plenty of parking. No trash cans so take a bag to carry out your trash. Free very small aquarium and museum on site.

What a beautiful place! We got to see the lighthouse even though we didn't go inside and we got out to see the stone foundation of the original Beavertail's 1749 lighthouse - so cool! The granite light tower was built a little bit further away from the shore line. Half a dozen porta-pottys close by for your convenience. Honestly, this place is so pretty, we got out and walked a couple of times. Will definitely go back.

An incredible oceanfront state park with panoramic views of the ocean. Probably some of the best views in the state. The lighthouse at the end is stunning and is accessible only by foot now, since the road that looped around it has been closed due to erosion. There are soooo many amazing trails, hidden beaches, rock ledges, grassy areas with people, sunbathing, hiking, picnicking, sitting in small groups chatting and enjoying being outdoors. There are soooo many spots to explore and discover here that you will want to be sure to leave plenty of time to fit it all in! This for sure is one of my favorite spots in RI.

This was a beautiful landmark with stunning views. It was a little out of the way on our sisters weekend but we were so glad that we stopped by.

Can't rate higher stars because I wasn't able to tour the lighthouse itself. While that wouldn't warrant a hit usually, it's not well noted online that Beavertail lighthouse is only open mid-June to Labor Day. That being said, there are informational placards around the area and great views.

Beautiful state park with a lighthouse to boot! This is the perfect place to pack a picnic lunch and some chairs and even a good book and just go and sit by the water. Lots of fishing to do here as well. Great place for photography, I've done some senior portraits here and have seen wedding photos being done as well. If you haven't been, you should definitely check it out!

For a small point on a map, there is a bunch to do and see. The coast line is of course the most amazing scene. There is a couple miles of Rocky coast and pretty accessable for the adventurous. This seems to be a good spot for catching stripers. In the 15 mins we sat watching a fisherman he caught (and released) a few smalls. Dead center is the Beavertail Light house. A Google search will tell you some, but during peak season a $5 donation (cash) will get you a hands on experience. Walk through the museum, tour the light tower, visit the oil house, and there is even a small aquarium with local species. There is another Yelp page for the aquarium too. There is a really neat Oil House where they used to store the whale oil to fuel the light. It is now part of the museum​ piece and has some cool interactive monitors and information. I'd say it's cooler by the coast, always bring a sweater. People do, but it's not a great spot for kite flying simply because it's mostly rocky coast. A Dels truck tends to hang in the area, but otherwise be prepared to drive a ways to the closest food or drink joint. Be careful of fleeing wildlife and children. There is a lot in the area. Parents forget it's a road and they're walking down the middle. Rabbits, fox etc roam the area. Be careful of things jutting in and out and drive slow.

This park, besides being full of natural beauty, is very nostalgic to me. As a teenager, I used to fish off the rocks for bluefish and stripers, and caught my first buzz on a six-pack of beers here. More recently, Beavertail is where I took my wife (who was then my girlfriend) on our first motorcycle ride together. Beavertail is one of Rhode Island's natural treasures. It's an easy drive to get to, yet is very secluded and unspoiled by development. There's something for everyone: recreational fishermen; sunbathers; rock jumpers; dog walkers; history buffs; hikers; etc. Years ago, they used to have trash barrels, but now visitors just carry out their trash; still, the park seems to remain fairly clean. The park has added amenities over the years; perhaps one of the most welcome additions are public bathrooms, in the form of eco-friendly composting toilets that resemble upscale porta-jons. There is also a marine biology museum with a small aquarium, and a lighthouse museum, in the buildings next to the operational lighthouse. It's a great place for a picnic lunch, or to walk the rocks and perhaps wade in one of many tidal pools - if you do venture on the rocks, be careful for two things: wet rocks are very slippery, and the waves can be rough and have been known to sweep people away. Still, the ocean views are spectacular, and the best part is, there is no entrance fee to the park.

we went to james town this morning. i wanted to get a picture of the james town bridge. as we were looking around, we discovered this beautiful park. they have a beautiful ocean view. a beautiful view of new port. they even have a beautiful light house.

This place is absolutely stunning! The views are incredible and there were a lot of people out enjoying it (I was there on a beautiful day in June), but there are so many different sections to explore that it really didn't feel crowded. It seems to be a popular gathering place to watch the sunset and I would love to do that on a future visit. The lighthouse is really interesting, but the shoreline and ocean steal the show.

One of the most beautiful spots in New England. Not to be missed. Site of 3rd lighthouse in The New World. It's original foundation was exposed by Hurricane of '38, and recently restored. Lighthouse Museum open seasonally. On certain days, you can climb the stairs to the existing, 1856, light house tower.

Beautiful spot for a picnic or to sunbathe on their rocks with views of the ocean. Love coming here on a summer day for a picnic! You can't beat the views.

Beautiful park space and lighthouse! Clean restrooms, nice gift shop and free admission.

Spectacular views and vistas plus lots of lighthouse history. A must-see state park. Although the museum wasn't open when we went during the week, I would return to visit and plan to hang out there. There are several parking lots, and you can easily walk around the relatively flat roads - no sidewalks though. This is also a great place to climb down onto rocks overlooking the ocean.

Ever seen a square lighthouse? Well, here's your chance! I really love Beavertail Lighthouse because of its unique construction. It's the third oldest lighthouse in all of North America. The original lighthouse was wooden and burned down 4 years after construction. A stone tower was built to replace it, however, the British burned it in 1779 and the tower was eventually replaced again in 1856. That tower still stands today, all 10x10x10x10x64 feet of it. Today was a rainy day, so I didn't get very many pics, but we did get to see the old foundation of the original tower. It amazes me the force in which the ocean waves crash against the surrounding rock cliffs. I can't imagine what it must be like to see a storm in all its full glory roaring through here. Really must have been a scary job to manage places like this in severe weather back in the 1800's. I don't think they could have paid me enough! FINAL THOUGHTS It's a beauty! Unique because of its stone facing and squared walls. A definite must see for your lighthouse photo collection.

Here is a little-known fact for you: Beavertail is the third oldest lighthouse in the U.S. Cool huh? Things to do at Beavertail: fish off the rocks fly a kite have a picnic read next to the ocean learn some history check out the small aquarium people watch go for a hike Beavertail is really a very cool place to go and explore. Located at the Southernmost point of Jamestown, the lighthouse was originally constructed in 1749. At one point it was burned by British troops (the bahstads!). Definitely a neat place to spend some time. Plus, the views are majestic! Not to be missed. Especially during times where the waves are kicking up. If you are in RI make sure you take the time to visit. You will be glad that you did.

Beavertail Lighthouse is a spectacular lighthouse located right on the southern most tip of Conanicut (Jamestown) Island. The light is not open to the public but there is a small museum that is open during the summer months. The museum has charts, photographs and even includes the original 4th order Fresnel lens. This location marks the spot of the first lighthouse in Rhode Island and the third to be build in Colonial America. The entire area is fantastic, with great views in every direction. To the east Newport, to the west Narragansett and off in the distance the smashed remains of Whale Rock Lighthouse, which was crushed during the 1938 hurricane. The remains of an early lighthouse can be seen only a few yards from the present one. it's location was lost for years but uncovered during the 38 storm. Many people come here to fish and climb down onto the rocks but this can be extremely dangerous and people do occasional get caught by rogue waves. This water around the tip is wild and unpredictable and best for looking and not swimming.

After brunch at English Muffin yesterday Brian and Cindy dropped us off to pick up our rental car, then met us at the hotel to drive us around Jamestown and to show us the lighthouse. It's an unusual, square shaped tower w/ a light still flashing. As you can see from the photos, it's beautiful. The present lighthouse is the second one, built in the 1850s after the original one was destroyed. The house itself is now a museum, but won't reopen until June, so we couldn't go in. The foghorn is in front of the lighthouse, enclosed in a chain-link fence w/ a sign warning about the sound and advising visitors to stay 50 feet away. We agreed 500 feet would be better, 500 yards better still. Fortunately, though it was overcast, it wasn't foggy, so we were fine. The views are stunning in all directions.

Nothing anyone else hasn't already said in the reviews! So, the Cliff Note version goes like this: Pro: views, ocean, picture taking, free, good picnic area (on non-windy days) Con: island weather (there's never a non-windy day), seasonal lighthouse is the only attraction, can be crowded Need to clear your mind? Grab a coffee at East Ferry Deli, go to Beavertail, and sit on the rocks. If you're fully relaxed by the time the coffee is done, success!

This place is breathtaking. They have a cove for whatever mood you're in. If you feel like swimming they got you, sunbathing on rocks, fishing on rocks, there's a grassy area as well we're people chill. Some of the cliffs seemed scary/ suspenseful climbing and walking down in some areas are tricky but totally worth it. They don't charge parking or admission. The best things in life are free. I will say the other week a whale washed up in one of the coves. It was removed but the blubber or some whale flesh was left behind and it was wicked putrid. It was cool in the same weight because I often don't see random pieces of whale around. The lighthouse and port a potties are a neat feature. Some retirees other times chill people in their 20s sharing beer and going topless. Nice for rock collecting if that's your jam too.

Looking for something to do one evening during our stay in Jamestown/Newport, we decided to drive down to Beavertail State Park. It wasn't that far of a drive, and fortunately was easy enough to find with the one main road that heads south on the Jamestown island. We got some spectacular views of the water, climbed down on the rocks, and got some great photos. I thought it would be a great place to sit and read a book. Lo and behold, a girl came along, climbed out on the rocks, and did just that! It looked like the perfect, peaceful setting.

One of the Best place in our amazing little state. Always refreshes my soul, mind & body. So many photo ops. Little museum & nature conservatory for kiddos. Been coming here as long as I've lived here since 1997.

You wanna take a nice outdoorsy girl on a scenic date? Here! This place is gorgeous. They have a lighthouse (3rd oldest), a small aquarium w the local fish to see, great paths, access to large seaside rocks to climb on, beautiful views of Newport, Narragansett, etc. My suggestion, bring a couple camping chairs, a blanket (its windy), a bottle of wine and some cheese and park yourselves in front of the scenic ocean (parking lot is right behind you so no heavy walking unless you wanna) Bring bikes to if you wanna putz around the grounds. There are bathrooms, outhouses really, and they actually are clean and don't smell.

Been here many times as I live 10 mins from here.. never disappoints!! Great place to just go for a walk hang out and enjoy the view!!

What a great park! It's easy to get to, free parking, and equipped with several outdoor restrooms. From what we could tell, most of the park is made of up of huge rock formations that stretch out into the water with some short trails through the brush. The rocks were really easy and fun to 'hike' across yet still a little challenging. I think this is a great place for anyone wanting to be outdoors-y without being too overwhelmed yet still getting to push themselves. If you've been to Acadia in Maine, this is like a junior version of the rock/cliffs along the hiking trails in the main area. I think the only thing that could improve the park would be if there was some area for trash. It's a take in - take out place and while MOST dog owners were picking up after their pets, many would then just leave the colorful baggy laying around the park. This can't be held against the park, of course, but it would be a nice additional feature.

Beautiful, sweeping views of the Atlantic. My sister and I came here to do some geocaching and to shop at the gift store but it was closed. We expect to keep returning to this historic light house and never, ever get tired of the views, the charm and the light!

i am being a little bias when I give this park 5 stars. I got married here in June so it holds a special place in my heart! This park is beautiful! My husband and I searched out our spot a week before we had a judge come out and marry us and it was perfect! Just the two of us and 2 witnesses- plus everyone sunbathing that day! This park is also really nice for some ocean fishing!

This is a great day trip whether you're in Providence, Newport, or any other place in RI. The rocks around the Newport side of the point are easy to walk along and give you a great view of the Newport Bridge and the bay in between. If you don't feel comfortable walking along the rocks there are a few wooded paths that take you from one parking lot to the next. I like that there are random benches throughout to just sit and take it all in. People come here for picnics, kite flying, or just to check out the small museum, aquarium, and lighthouse. The proprietors of the the museum are friendly and ready to tell you all about the history of the lighthouse and the area. Even the bathrooms (small outhouses in a field behind the lighthouse) are nice to look at, and are eco friendly as well. Bonus!

This place is beautiful, serene, and I wish I could have spent my entire day here. Parking is so easy to find. I honestly had no idea Rhode Island was this beautiful! I loved that people were bringing their chairs and just parking themselves on some rocks to just watch the waves. If you're going- BRING CHAIRS! so you can just soak in the beauty of this place.