This one gets two stars because it was extremely boring and only lasted 30 minutes. I was quite happy with the lack of bugs on this one. I can’t say whether it’s because we doused ourselves like crazy beforehand or because it was very dry when we went. Either way, that was the only plus. I don’t recommend going here specifically to walk this trail but I don’t regret going. I’m on a mission to hit up every trail in Rhode Island. Besides, any extra time in the woods with my almost seven year old son makes me happy.
Brian S.
Place rating: 3 Warwick, RI
A swampy place Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge is a little trail that wanders through some fields, paths, forests and most of all wetlands. Only a couple miles in length, it’s impossible to get lost because in most places if you go off the path you’ll be in mud. A nice place in the winter or late fall but difficult to walk in the spring of summer when the biting insects will tear you to pieces. There is a nice diversity of wildlife here besides the six legged kind. If you look you might see lots of birds like heron, egrets and perhaps even an ibex. And deer, snakes, turtles, frogs and even mink make this place home. Not a place to get much exercise because even if you walk it several times there are no hills, rocks or difficult areas. But that makes Touisset great for a quick walk by the water or for people that have difficulty with inclines or difficult terrain. A nice Audubon chunk of land that is a cool place to get close to the swampy and wet part of nature
Carly B.
Place rating: 4 Riverside, RI
This little trail on an Audubon refuge packs punch after punch of diverse scenery and habitats. I’d say it’s just under two miles, which almost always leaves me wanting more — maybe I’ll walk the loop again backwards next time… But the length is great when short on time for your recharge and it makes a perfect bitter-winter walk for me, especially when ice and snow form a dramatic landscape to explore at the salt marsh/river. Though this spot at the rickety bridge is gorgeous any time of year. Swampy bits, woodsy bits, grassy bits, all there to savor, too. You pass some Warren farms on the drive where you can buy fresh produce and eggs at the side of the road(sometimes on the honor system) when there are goodies to be harvested.
