Dark Swamp – Glocester
- Dark Swamp
- Willie Woodhead Road, Glocester, RI
- Trailhead: 41°54’3.72″N, 71°45’48.62″W
- First Time Hiked: September 16, 2017
- Last Time Hiked: September 1, 2018
- Approximate distance hiked: 3.6 miles
- Moderate due to navigation, otherwise fairly easy with some elevation.
In November of 1923, two young explorers set out from Providence to find the swamp that for years was reputed to be cursed. The stories date back to when the colonists were settling the area. It is believed that they were warned by the Natives of this area and its curse to keep the colonists from this land. It is also said that several of the colonists who did not heed the warning were never seen again. These two young explorers never did reach their destination that day. They were Clifford Eddy and H.P. Lovecraft, (at the time unknown) horror story authors. In September of 2017, a group of hikers led by members of the Northwest Rhode Island Supporters of Open Space set out to Dark Swamp ignoring the heeded warnings. They were successful! Dark Swamp was found and they all made it out to tell the story. It is suggested however, that if you do head out for this hike, be sure to use a GPS device as most of the trails are not marked and there are plenty of side trails and spurs. Starting at a cul-de-sac at the end of Willie Woodhead Road we made our way along the trail in a southerly direction as it climbed slightly uphill. Ahead this trail meets the North South Trail. Bear to the right and follow the blue blazed trail. There are trails to both the right and left that are mostly grass covered. Ignore them and continue straight. At the half mile mark there is a trail on the right with a cellar hole. You will return on this trail. Continue straight passing over a large outcrop of a rock believe to be a threshing rock. Shortly after this rock on the left there is another narrow and grassy trail. Take it, the trail splits, stay to the left and follow the narrow trail. It leads to old ice pond. From here retrace your steps back to the blue blazed North South Trail and continue south. Starting looking for a trail on the right (about 9/10 of a mile into the hike). Take the right, then almost immediately left. Continue straight, passing yet another spur trail on the right, the trail vanishes into a field of ferns. Ahead and below is the first glimpse of the Dark Swamp with its near black water covered with a twisted and interlaced brush over it. This area offers many other sights of swamps. Turn around passing the spur trail (now on your left) and instead of turning right onto the trail you came in on, turn left. This trail, unmarked, winds to the west and then north passing some stone walls before ending. Take note of your surroundings here. At the intersection you will exit to the right when you return. For now turn left. This trail will lead you into the depths of Dark Swamp. Shortly you will see another swamp on the right. Just beyond this swamp you will start to see piles of rocks. These are cairns, similar to the ones in Parker Woodland. Locals believe they may be from the Native Americans. Continuing ahead you will come to another trail intersection. Stay to left here and soon you will catch a glimpse of the swamp once again on the left. At the time of this hike we saw frogs and a heron here. The trail then climbs up and over a rather impressive hill before winding through a hemlock grove. The trail all but ends as you approach the large body of water created by beavers. Here is one of the largest swamps in the area complete with beaver dam and beaver hut. This is great spot for a break and to take in nature. From here retrace your steps pass the swamps and cairns. Continue straight at the “noted” intersection. It soon passes an old building and cellar hole on the left. At the end of this trail turn left. You are now back on the blue blazed North South Trail. The trail back to the car will be on your left. Hunting is allowed here, blaze orange is required during hunting season. And again, use GPS here.
The Swamp at the End of The Trail. (Note the Beaver Hut)
Trails & Walks in Rhode Island 
Very interesting! I just looked it up and it appears that both authors used this location in a couple of their stories. I can see how it would appeal to an author of horror.
Just hiked here today (Xmas eve) and I’m sad to report that humans have removed the beaver dam, completely draining the two southern most swamps (the last two). Had been here on Sept. 2nd and 3rd and had great fun photographing the bullfrogs and a Kingfisher, sad to see this great nature observation spot gone.
Hello there…I grew up building forts in dark swamp (my parents owned a large portion of it). When we first moved there the swamp was indeed dark. It was about as thick as a rain forest and we used to machete our ways through and climb the walls of the up rooted old growth…it was a beautiful place to grow up. Any ways, beavers built a massive damn over time and flooded most of the swamp, which killed a ton of overgrowth, which made the swamp not so dark anymore. Someone then went back and took the damn out with a backhoe. Now it’s kind of a wasteland with a ton of dead trees, I hope it grows back as lush as it was when I was a kid!