Fort Nature Refuge

While my central focus here on my blog is on Rhode Island's Land Trust lands, there are also a number of wonderful hikes to be had in some of the state's other conserved lands. The two largest groups of these are managed by either the Nature Conservancy or the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, and it's  a reserve of the latter organization that I'd like to describe today.

The Fort Nature Refuge is in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, just off the Providence Pike north of its intersection with Route 104. A small sign indicates the refuge, and the entrance is via the driveway of an adjacent property owner.  There's fairly ample parking, but if the lot is full, please choose a different hike; this is one of the sites that -- particularly due to the increase in trail use during the pandemic -- is threatened by overuse.

You'll see a large friendly kiosk with all manner of signs and information, and one of particular note: No Dogs. This is the policy at all Audubon preserves in the state; after all, they're operated first and foremost as refuges for birds and wildlife. While some Audubon properties in other states allow leashed dogs, those in Rhode Island don't -- so please respect this policy. They also don't allow mountain bikes, or even trail running (this last prohibition seems a little odd -- but so be it).

Beavers at work

Abiding by these rules will make one welcome in a variety of their remarkable trail systems, and the one at Fort is among the best. The main loop that you'll start on from the parking area is the Blue trail; by itself it makes for a pleasant half-hour walk through stands of mature pine mixed with oak and other hardwoods. There are also two trails that cut through the loop to offer a little variety. However, the real gems of the Fort preserve are its lakes, and to see those you'll want to head off on the yellow trail, which branches away near the far end of the blue loop. Crossing the cut of a power line, yellow takes you down a dirt road and then into a dense pine forest, silenced with thick needles, to a beautiful beaver pond. If you want to see the evidence, chewed stumps abound.

The path crosses on a low bridge near the dam, and there's a lovely viewpoint with a wooden bench where you can take in the prospect. Continuing on, you'll come to the red trail, which like blue forms a loop. Partway along that loop, you'll see a spur trail, also blazed red, which will take you to a secnd pond, where two plastic chairs offer a place for fresh reflections on the beauties of this place. The spur trail ends a little past this point; the blazes vanish and you'll come to a muddy crossing rutted by ATV tracks. Turn back, and see the same sights with a different eye. On returning to the main red loop, take a right, and you'll pass along a ridge which forms a berm between the two lakes, then descend to close your loop. Follow yellow again to blue, and take the rest of the loop trail; all together, these paths offer more than an hour of modest hiking. There are vaster Audubon lands -- one of these days I'll post about Parker Woodland in Coventry -- but none lovelier.