• Rome Point – John H. Chafee Nature Preserve
• Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, RI
• Trailhead: 41°32’13.26″N, 71°26’13.81″W
• First Time Hiked: March 23, 2013
• Last Time Hiked: March 25, 2018
• Approximate distance hiked: 2.6 miles
• Easy with some slight elevation.

The “Seal Hike”. I’ve done this hike a few times in the last few years. After checking the tides and the weather report I decided it should be a good day to visit the seals. From the parking area I followed the main path until I reached the power lines. Just after the power lines I took a left and followed that path through an area mostly of pines until it’s end. I then turned right and followed the path to the end of the point. This is where the wind picked up. The forecast had called for a breezy day with gusts of around 15 mph, however, the gusts were well over 30 mph, maybe closer to 40 mph at times. I thought for sure this would be a “seal-less” hike. The seals were out and sunbathing nonetheless. The area that the seals haul out at is a cluster of rocks a few hundred feet offshore known as the Seven Sisters. You WILL need either a good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope to observe the seals. This year the wind made it difficult to get a good picture through the spotting scope I had brought along this hike. After doing some seal watching I headed back the path I had followed out to the point and then headed straight pass the path I used earlier instead of turning and retracing my steps. This path winds through the woods past an abandoned car and an old building of some sort before joining the main path. At this point I turned right and back to the parking area.

Information about the seals and further links to the trails: Rome Point Seals

Looking South From Rome Point

“Winston” (taken during a 2012 hike)