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Audubon Society of Rhode Island Long Pond Woods Wildlife Refuge Rockville Birds birdwatching environment
Long Pond Woods

Long Pond Woods Wildlife Refuge

Address: North Road, Rockville, RI 02873
(Small parking lot is located next to the refuge sign. Visitors may also park along the road.)
Hours: Open sunrise to sunset
Acres: 220
Trails: 2 miles
Trail Difficulty: Challenging
Restroom: No

Dogs are prohibited. Click here to learn why and review other trail guidelines.

Refuge Highlights

  • Habitat: hemlocks, rock outcrops
  • Wildlife to watch for: mink, otter, painted turtle
  • Birds commonly found: Hooded Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Ovenbird, Turkey Vulture, Hooded Merganser, Barred Owl
  • Stunning views of Long Pond provide hikers with a scenic destination
  • Offerings: Birdwatching

Long Pond Woods in Hopkinton, RI offers arguably the most challenging hiking of any Audubon Refuge. The 220 acres of rocky and steep terrain provide an incomparable bird's eye view of Long Pond. Dense groves of beautiful mountain laurel and rhododendron as well as towering oaks and hemlocks are dispersed through the property. Trails border both Long and Ell Ponds and connect to a larger system that leads into Connecticut.

Wildlife Refuges

  • Image by Phoenix Aviary

  • Image by Glenn Osmundson

Using the Trails: Refuge Guidelines

All Audubon Society of Rhode Island land is protected. Our public wildlife refuges are for everyone to enjoy. Please respect the natural habitats of Audubon's refuges and avoid disturbing their inhabitants. Also, respect the rights of others when using the trails.

In order to ensure that these areas remain as healthy habitats, we ask you please to abide by these simple rules, enjoying the natural settings with quiet enthusiasm and a respectful sense of adventure. By conserving these open spaces, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, along with its members and partners, is able to fulfill its mission of protecting the nature of Rhode Island.

To accomplish this, we kindly request the following:

  • Permitted (and encouraged!):

    • Hiking on the trails
    • Observing & learning about wildlife
    • Photography
    • Bird watching
    • Enjoying the area's natural ambiance and solitude
    • Picnicking only at the designated areas at the Nature Center and Aquarium

  • Not permitted:

    • Dogs, horses and other pets
    • Motorized vehicles and bicycles beyond the parking lot
    • Hunting, fishing or trapping
    • Picnicking (except in designated areas at the Nature Center and Aquarium)
    • Camping
    • Littering
    • Alcoholic beverages and smoking
    • Collecting plants or other natural objects
    • Geo-caching or Letterboxing
    • Jogging, running and excessive noise

  • Dogs can be best friends, good companions and even part of the family, but dogs are not allowed on Audubon Wildlife Refuges for a number of reasons. Read More.
    *Service dogs are welcome.

Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium

Visit Rhode Island's largest nature center and aquarium. Walk the trails through meadows and marshes to Narragansett Bay. Say hello to Zach, our Common Raven.

Plan Your Trip Today →

Shop Online: Audubon Nature Shop →

Birding in Rhode Island

Stay involved with Audubon's birding programs and resources:

Audubon Events Calendar →

Audubon Avian Research Initiative →

Audubon Avian Ambassadors →

Recent Bird Sightings (eBird) →

Red-bellied Woodpecker by Jason Major

Stormwater Innovation Center

Roger Williams Park is home to the Stormwater Innovation Center. The Center has been developed by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and its partners! Learn more about the nature-based solutions we are using to learn about and protect urban water quality.

Learn More →