• Beaver River Preserve
• Fox Ridge Drive, Richmond, RI
• Trailhead: 41°32’30.50″N, 71°39’13.00″W
• First Time Hiked: January 27, 2013
• Last Time Hiked: May 23, 2020
• Approximate distance hiked: 2.2 miles
• Fairly easy with some slight elevation, minimal climbing.

Beaver River Preserve truly is a Rhode Island hidden gem tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. The entire trail system is blazed yellow and is easy to follow. Most of the trails are along ridge lines of the hills which have great views of the valleys full of glacier placed boulders. Starting at the dead end section of Fox Ridge Drive, the trail enters the property by the large Nature Conservancy sign. In a bit you will come to your first intersection. There is a trail map posted here. For this hike stay to the left and follow the yellow blazes all the way to the Beaver River. Along the way you will find yourself under a canopy of pines and beech trees. You will pass through areas of low growing shrubs and come across a couple boardwalks. There is a trail to the right, also yellow blazed. Ignore it for now. You will exit the preserve on that trail. Continue ahead passing more boulders and you will soon find yourself at a wooden crossing. Here you will see a few beaver dams o the left. Continue a few more feet ahead and you will reach the end of the trail at the Beaver River. The water trickles over stones here making for a peaceful spot. From here retrace you steps back to the previous intersection. But first, along the way, and now on the right is an unmarked spur trail that leads to the shore of a flooded area of the aptly named river. Back to the yellow trail, follow it uphill and turn left at the intersection you passed earlier. Here you will have to scramble up a wall of boulders. From here the trail climbs uphill and crowns the properties highest point. At the next intersection turn left and you will soon be back to the parking area at the dead end road.

Trail map can be found at: Beaver River Preserve (will download PDF from The Nature Conservancy)

Trail at Beaver River