Rhode Island State Parks

09/01/2026

Wave goodbye to beach season and catch the last splash of summer at RI state beaches! 👋🌊

The holiday weekend is a great time to get outdoors before we embrace fall. 🍂

🏖️ Labor Day is the last day that state beach facilities, restrooms, and concessions will be open and staffed with lifeguards, rangers, and facility attendants. All eight state beaches are expected to have lifeguards on duty throughout the holiday weekend, but swimming areas will be reduced at several locations.

🛟 Lifeguards are also expected to be on duty at non-surf swimming areas at Lincoln Woods and Pulaski State Parks, but will not be present at Fort Adams State Park, Goddard Memorial State Park, or the Burlingame State Park Picnic Area.

Stay safe this weekend:

• Swim only in designated swimming areas
• Know your swimming limits
• Stay aware of water conditions
• Adults should always supervise children near water

📌 See more safety tips at www.riparks.ri.gov/beachsafety

After this weekend, beach parking gates and lots remain open, weather permitting. Non-food concessions at Misquamicut State Beach will remain open daily, weather permitting, for a few weeks after the holiday. Portajohns will be available at most state beaches as conditions allow.

⚠️Reminder: State Offices are closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day and will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, September 8.

08/21/2026

The newest lawn care crew at Fort Adams State Park has four legs (and a llama boss) 🐑🦙

Ocean Hour Farm, Fort Adams Trust, and DEM have teamed up for a grazing project!

By moving the herd through targeted sections of the fort, the sheep naturally clear invasive species, aerate the soil, and stimulate plant diversity—a practical look at how rotational grazing can revitalize public land and protect coastal soil health.

Visiting the fort? Please give the sheep (and their guardian llama) space and do not approach the animals or electric fencing.

Have questions about the herd or contract grazing? Drop them in the comments below!

08/18/2026

Ready for an outdoor escape? 🌲✨

Join RI State Park Rangers for guided walks exploring some of Rhode Island’s most beautiful and historic spots!

The Details:
• Time: 10 – 11:30 AM
• Free, family-friendly, and open to all (no registration required)
• Runs rain or shine; wear sturdy shoes and bring water
• Well-behaved dogs on a 6-foot leash are welcome ‍

Upcoming Walks:
• Saturday, August 22: Butts Hill Fort, Portsmouth
• Saturday, August 29: Fort Adams State Park, Newport

📌 Visit www.riparks.ri.gov/events for more information.

08/11/2026

Honoring a Rhode Island legend through craft and community 🚣‍♂️🌊🏖️

The new lifeguard dory for Roger Wheeler State Beach is complete, arriving just in time for last week’s RI Lifeguard Tournament!

Handcrafted in Old Mystic by David Snediker of Snediker Yacht Restoration, this vessel was funded through The Dave Hoffer ‘Ultimate Challenger’ Fund via the Summer Safe Ocean State giveback. Dave was a true community legend, a 50-year RI Lifeguard veteran, Tournament Director, Legends team leader, and passionate dory rower.

We are deeply grateful for this partnership and proud to celebrate Dave’s legacy while keeping our beaches safe.

08/07/2026

Rhode Island’s state beaches are gearing up for a wave of visitors trying to beat the heat this weekend 🌡️ 😎 !

🏖️ Beach tips before your trip:

• Be aware of the extreme heat and weather conditions
• Know your limits and check water conditions
• Follow safety announcements
• Always supervise children near water
• Carry in, carry out – help keep our natural places litter-free

🛟 Visit www.riparks.ri.gov/beachsafety for important tips and information

🚗 Plan ahead! Check the real-time status of parking lots and get your pass ahead of time at https://riparks.ri.gov/beach-parking-status

08/06/2026

🚩 Know before you go!

RI State Beaches use a colored flag system to let beachgoers know about the ocean conditions that day. This beach season, be sure to swim only in designated areas, stay close to lifeguards, supervise kids and teens, and always follow safety announcements. Your safety is our top priority.

📌 Learn more beach safety tips and plan your next adventure at http://www.riparks.ri.gov/beachsafety

🚗 Headed to a state beach? Plan ahead! Check the real-time status of parking lots and get your pass ahead of time at https://riparks.ri.gov/beach-parking-status.

HOLIDAY - DÍA FERIADO In observance of Victory Day, our offices will be closed on Monday, August 10, 2026. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, August 11, at 8:30 a.m.En conmemoración del Día de la Victoria, nuestras oficinas estarán cerrados el lunes, 10 de agosto de 2026. El horario ...

07/27/2026

That’s a wrap on another incredible horseshoe crab spawning season! 🌊🌕

Over the past two months, horseshoe crabs gathered along Rhode Island’s shores under the full moon to lay their eggs and spark the next generation.

Thanks to a collaboration between DEM’s Division of Marine Fisheries, The Watch Hill Conservancy, dedicated volunteers, and RI State Park Naturalists, who hosted public tagging events, this year’s surveys and tagging for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Cooperative Tagging Program were a success!

RI State Park Naturalists welcomed over 900 participants to experience horseshoe crab spawning firsthand. Through the tagging events, volunteers helped document:

📊206 total horseshoe crabs counted (more than half during our May 17th East Beach survey alone!)

🏷️ 74 tagged to help track their long-term movements and population health.

🏖️5 sightings of crabs previously tagged, all spotted at East Beach in Charlestown, proof that they love returning to these same shores!

A huge thank you to our staff and everyone who dedicated their time and energy to learn about these remarkable “living fossils” while contributing to conservation science! 💙

Remember, if you spot a tagged horseshoe crab, report it at www.fws.gov/crabtag to help ongoing research, and you’ll even earn a cool thank-you pin!

07/24/2026

🌊 This weekend, join in the 37th annual celebration of Governor’s Bay Day!

🚗 Sunday, July 26: Free parking at all eight Rhode Island state beaches
🚌 Sunday, July 26: Free round-trip rides on RIPTA’s South County Express Beach Bus
🎣 Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26: Recreational saltwater fishing without a license (size and possession limits still apply: https://dem.ri.gov/marinesizes)

Before you head to the beach, check parking availability at https://riparks.ri.gov/beach-parking-status

Learn more about at https://riparks.ri.gov/beaches/governors-bay-day

We hope you join us outdoors to enjoy all Rhode Island’s beautiful coast and Bay has to offer!

Governor's Bay Day An annual celebration that invites everyone to get outside and enjoy Rhode Island's beautiful coastline and Narragansett Bay. Prev Next Slide 1 Slide 2 Slide 3 Slide 4 Slide 5 Slide 6 Slide 7 Slide 8 Governor's Bay Day Summer is a magical time in Rhode Island.  Our beautiful wat...

07/22/2026

🌊 Today, Governor Dan McKee signed an Executive Order at Rocky Point State Park designating Sunday, July 26, as Rhode Island’s 37th Annual Governor’s Bay Day, celebrating the beauty and value of Narragansett Bay.

Bay Day perks:
🏖️ Free parking at all eight RI state beaches on Sunday, July 26
🎣 License-free recreational saltwater fishing from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26
🚌 Free roundtrip rides on RIPTA’s South County Express Beach Bus (Sunday only)

Narragansett Bay is at the heart of the Ocean State’s environment and way of life. Governor’s Bay Day was created after the 1989 World Prodigy oil spill near Newport, spilling nearly 300,000 gallons of oil. The impact was devastating, killing fish and sea birds, closing beaches and shellfishing beds. It serves as a reminder of why protecting waters matter. Our waters are much healthier today thanks to strong environmental laws and major investments.

💙 This weekend, get outside, cast a line, take a dip, and celebrate the progress we’ve made to restore and protect the bay. Let’s honor the past by caring for the waters we all enjoy.

Learn more: riparks.ri.gov/beaches/governors-bay-day