Things to Do in Charlestown

Charlestown, Rhode Island is a South County town of salt ponds, barrier beaches and woods. The big draws are Burlingame State Park's campground and free pond beach, the state ocean beaches at Charlestown Breachway and East Beach, the town's Blue Shutters Beach, Ninigret Park, the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, and Friday stargazing at Frosty Drew Observatory. Here is what each offers, with links to the details.

Camp at Burlingame

Burlingame State Campground has about 700 rustic sites and 20 cabins beside Watchaug Pond, from $18 a night for Rhode Island residents. RI DEM calls it one of the biggest campgrounds in the eastern United States, and one of Rhode Island's first campgrounds. No hookups; book through Reserve America. Campground guide · Reservations · Cabins

Swim in a Pond

• Burlingame Picnic Area beach, on Watchaug Pond: free, with seasonal lifeguards, picnic tables, fireplaces and a pavilion. Picnic area
• Little Nini Pond in the town's Ninigret Park. Ninigret Park

Hit the Ocean Beaches

• Charlestown Breachway: state beach facing Block Island Sound, restrooms, beach wheelchairs, strong saltwater fishing.
• East Beach: three miles of undeveloped barrier beach between Ninigret Pond and the sea.
• Blue Shutters Beach: the town beach that takes non-residents.
• Charlestown Town Beach: does not accept non-resident passes.

Fees, hours and which to choose: Charlestown RI beaches.

Walk Around Watchaug Pond

The John Vincent Gormley Trail runs nearly 8 miles around Watchaug Pond on yellow markers, through Burlingame and the Kimball Wildlife Refuge. Leashed dogs are welcome; wear blaze orange in hunting season. Hiking · Watchaug Pond

Go Birding at Ninigret Refuge

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge has the Kettle Pond Visitor Center (daily, 10 to 4), a half-mile trail to an observation tower over Ninigret Pond, and trails across an old naval airfield on the Salt Pond Unit. Spring and fall migration are the peak. Ninigret refuge

Look at the Stars

Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center, inside Ninigret Park at 61-62 Park Lane, holds public Stargazing Nights on Friday evenings. It is run by a nonprofit with a volunteer board that keeps fees low. Ninigret Park

Fish

• Watchaug Pond: a DEM-designated trout water with a state boat ramp on Sanctuary Road. Freshwater licence needed from age 15.
• Charlestown Breachway: saltwater fishing outside lifeguarded hours, and a state ramp to Ninigret Pond and Block Island Sound.

Fishing and boating

Paddle

Launch a canoe or kayak on Watchaug Pond at the Sanctuary Road ramp, or rent a canoe at the Burlingame campground if you are staying there. For salt water, DEM's Breachway launch reaches Ninigret Pond. Fishing and boating

Ride a Bike

Ninigret Park has a 9/10-mile bicycle course and a marked 1.3-mile bike path. Bikes are not allowed on the wildlife refuge trails. Ninigret Park

Play

Ninigret Park also has eight public tennis courts, basketball, an 18-hole disc golf course, A Kid's Place Playground and the Ninigret Dog Park. Burlingame's campground has a playground and an arcade for campers.

Learn the History

Burlingame began as a 1930 wildlife preserve, opened in 1934, hosted Rhode Island's first Civilian Conservation Corps camp, served as a WWII camp, and later housed the American Legion's "Legion Town." History

Plan Around the Seasons

• Summer: beaches open daily from late May to Labor Day; Burlingame's peak camping season.
• April: trout season opens on Watchaug Pond on the second Saturday.
• Spring and fall: bird migration at the refuge and around the pond.
• Fall: hunting season in the Burlingame Management Area.
• Winter: watch for bald eagles on Watchaug Pond; state beaches stay open for walks.

Plan your visit · Parking and directions · FAQ