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Pulaski Recreation Area

Glocester, RI Department of Environmental Management

10.0 miles of trail

Moderate

Close

Very Easy

Trails that are smooth and relatively level with no steps, no roots, stones or uneven ground. These may be paved, crushed stone, continuous boardwalk and similar surfaces. These trails have a route that is quite obvious such as a single point to point trail or an easy loop or network of trails.

Easy

Relatively flat and smooth trails with a route that is quite obvious such as a single point to point trail or an easy loop or network of trails.

Moderate

May have a few hills or steep sections and multiple surface types including rocks and roots. Trails are generally well-marked but following them requires a trail map.

Difficult

Strenuous trails, trail systems that mostly involve multi-mile loops and trails that are narrow and may have obstacles such as stream crossings or rocky areas, some trails are less well marked.

Hunting is permitted here in season. Wear blaze orange during hunting season. More information

Click on the "Trail Map (PDF)" button to download a PDF of the trail map that you can print and take with you on the trail.

Avenza maps are special, free maps that you can use in the Avenza app on your smart phone. These maps let you see your location on the map as you walk. Download the Avenza App for free in the Apple App Store or on Google Play

Click on the Avenza Trail Map button to "purchase" the free map for this trail from the Avenza map store. If this is your first time, Avenza will ask you to set up an account to check out. However, all Avenza trail maps listed on ExploreRI are free.

In Rhode Island the primary hunting seasons typically run from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and from the third Saturday in April to the last day in May, however this can vary from year to year and depends on what game is being hunted. During hunting season you should wear at least 200 square inches (a hat OR a vest) of blaze orange. During shotgun deer season, which is typically in December, you should wear at least 500 square inches of blaze orange (a hat AND a vest). For more information see the RI DEM website.

What’s There:

Approximately 100 acres of the 4,000 acre George Washington Wildlife Management Area is managed as the Pulaski Recreation Area. Except for the park entrance road, there are no paved roads on the property, all are gravel and the ones closest to the park are well maintained. In winter these gravel roads are groomed for use by cross country skiers, and are closed to hikers.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day the beach is open for swimming. Hunting is allowed from September to May in the forest east of the state beach. During winter when there is snow cover the narrow foot trails can be used for snow shoeing. The wider trails are groomed for cross country skiing and hiking is not allowed on them.

The land was acquired during the 1930's by the US Government and developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. During WWII the land was turned over to the State of RI. In the late 1960's Australian Navy sailors on temporary duty in Newport created what is known as the "Walkabout Trail", a series of three connected walking trails blazed blue, red, and orange, that begin in the adjacent George Washington Management Area and extend west into the Pulaski Recreation Area. Near Peck Pond a blue dot blazed walking trail follows Keach Brook east to the Hemlock Glen then returns to Peck Pond via a winding upland trail. These walking trails can be rocky in spots.

The painted trail blazes are maintained by seasonal state employees.

State website with information on all RI State Parks, including the campgrounds.

Dogs: Not on the beach during the summer, but allowed in elsewhere if leashed from April to October.

Horses: Yes, but only on the gravel roads, not on the walking/foot trails. Horse trailers are not allowed in the park recreation area, but may park on the gravel roads beyond.

Bicycles: Not on the narrow foot trails, but allowed on the wide gravel roads (named "Trails" on the map, such as Center Trail, Wood Trail, etc.)

Skiing/Snowshoeing: Yes, snow shoeing is allowed on the narrow foot trails. Only cross-country skis are allowed on the wide trails, which are groomed for that purpose.

Other Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, fishing, and swimming. Electric car charging station at the parking area near the restrooms and beach.

Getting There:

Pulaski Park Beach Parking Lot Trailhead

Google Maps is the mapping system used on the new ExploreRI maps and shows the trailhead located on a terrain view, a street map or an aerial photograph. Clicking on this link will take you to the full Google Maps website, which is not part of ExploreRI.org.
Acme Maps shows the trailhead located on a topographic map. The Acme Maps website is not part of ExploreRI.org.

Driving Landmarks: The address is 2185 Putnam Pike (Route 44), West Glocester, RI. The entrance road into the park is 6.5 miles west of Chepachet village. Watch for a large brown "Pulaski State Park" sign. This is Pulaski Road and is the entrance road to the park. The trailhead parking area is 1 mile up Pulaski Road.

Parking: Yes: , 100 spaces, no overnight parking

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? Yes

Coordinates: 41° 55.86' N    71° 47.76' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Acme Maps


 

Can I bike at your park?

Submitted by: Deborah DeAngelis; August 10, 2018; 3:42 pm

Can I bike at your park?

[Moderator's comment: As I understand it, bicycles are not allowed on the narrow foot trails but are allowed on the wide gravel roads (named "Trails" on the map, such as Center Trail, Wood Trail, etc.). But for a definitive answer check with the RI Parks Department as Pulaski is a RI State Park.]

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This site report was last updated on September 23, 2019

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