Arcadia State Park: North section

 North Section of Arcadia State Park

Photo Courtesy Google Maps

Arcadia State Park located in southwestern RI encompasses approximately 14,000 acres in Exeter, West Greenwich, Richmond and Hopkinton. The park is the largest management area in RI. The park is bisected into north and south sections by Route 165.

This post is covering the north section located in Exeter and West Greenwich. The area includes Escoheag, Mt. Tom, Breakheart Pond, J B Hudson Trail and Reynolds Horseman’s area.

 

Activities in this area include hunting, fishing, trail riding, dog training, hiking, mountain biking, camping (with a permit), climbing, kayaking and canoeing.

There is hunting allowed in the area and fluorescent orange should be worn during required times.

Climbing activities are usually done at the Escoheag and Mt. Tom areas.

For dog walkers and workers there is a training area complete with water fountain, pavilion and picnic tables.

There are numerous streams and creeks that run through the area that are stocked trout waters. They can only be fished during RI’s fishing season. Frosty HollowPond located on Frosty Hollow Road is a pond created specifically for children under 14 to fish. During fishing season only children 14 and under may fish the pond. The waters are stocked with rainbow, brook and brown trout. Bass, bluegill and pickerel are all commonly found in Breakheart Pond.

Frosty Hollow Pond Drained

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The trails range from dirt roads, old unused dirt roads, wide walking paths and hiking paths. The footing is gravel, grass, roots, creek beds and packed earth.

Bees Nest Located on Trail Around Breakheart Pond

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

For the mountain biker there is J B Hudson Trail (see earlier post for an in depth trail report) and any one of the numerous trails that crisscross the area. The trails can range from beginner to intermediate. Due to the size of the area and the number of trails, a trail map is recommended.

There is plenty of parking for horse trailers. The Reynolds Horseman’s Area has an outdoor ring for working a horse. Prohibited activities in the area include, but are not limited to turning out a horse in the cemetery and ring. No tying horses to trees and no temporarily nailing fencing to trees. Most of the trails are cleared and heavily used by trail riders. There is the occasional low hanging limb to look out for. The ramp located at Breakheart Pond is a great place to stop and let the horse drink and wade in the water.

The north section of Arcadia state park offers many activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Take the family, friends, dog or horse and go explore this unique part of southern RI.