Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Rhode Island
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Rhode Island may be a small state, but it’s big on nature. Case in point: Sachuest Point National Wildlife Reserve. Millions of years ago, this peninsula was a part of Africa. It later served as grazing lands for wild animals and more recently as a communications and weapons center for the United States Navy. Today, thanks to grants from the Navy and from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, it’s a critical stop along the global journey of migratory birds. With 242 acres of oceanside splendor to explore, Sachuest Point is a can’t-miss destination for any RV rental trip through Rhode Island. Here’s why.
Being a peninsula, Sachuest Point offers plenty of great fishing spots for anglers to enjoy. From September 16 to March 31 of every year, the entire refuge is open for fishing, including Sachuest Beach. The rest of the time, fishing is kept to Sakonnet River and Sachuest Bay but that doesn’t mean you’ll be short on options if you come pole-in-hand. In fact, summer is a great time to visit for some fishing at the annual Take Me Fishing Day hosted at the refuge.
You’ll need a Rhode Island fishing license to fish, which can easily be obtained online here. If you’re a fan of night fishing, that’s also allowed at Sachuest Point after dusk. All you need is a night fishing permit, which you can grab in advance here, or at the refuge’s visitor center.
The main reason visitors come to Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is right there in the name. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island understood the importance of this peninsula for birds that winter in the state and worked to offer those and other wildlife a protected place they can return to year after year. Their gift is the pleasure of everyone who visits the park, which is home to harlequin ducks, gannets, eiders, loons, and more than 200 other species of birds that make seasonal stops along their yearly migration.
Three miles of trails lead visitors on an easy, enjoyable hike through vibrant marshland and stony shoreline. Make sure to stop by the visitor center before heading out to grab a loaner bag containing a guidebook to the many species you’ll encounter in the park, plus a pair of binoculars so you can get a quick look. For more information about the trails at Sachuest Point, check out this trail map.
Those miles of trails are complete with plenty of kiosks, interpretive panels, and excellently placed viewing platforms where visitors can not just see the park’s wild denizens for themselves but learn about their niches and habitats along the way. The visitor center itself went through a major renovation in 2012 and offers a wide variety of exhibits that will educate and engage visitors of all ages.
The refuge also boasts a large volunteer staff that puts on regular interpretive programs for refuge visitors. This includes guided tours with special focuses on seasonal animals like migratory birds and sea turtles. They also put on weekly story time events for the little ones with arts and crafts. Learn more about Sachuest Point National Wildlife Reserve’s interpretive and educational events here, and check out the event calendar to see what will be happening during your visit.
Photography is an important part of the culture at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Reserve. The volunteers at the reserve offer regular photography workshops designed to help photographers of any experience level improve their composition and find new ways to capture the foxes, rabbits, and countless birds that roam the refuge.
And while the viewing platforms scattered throughout the refuge’s trails offer well enough vantage points for photographers, Sachuest Point has invested even further in attracting photographers to the park. A new photography blind was recently installed off the busy trails to give visitors a quieter and closer look at the animals. Call 401-619-2689 to inquire about photography workshops and more or stop by the visitor center to learn more.
The closest campground to Sachuest Point is Second Beach Family Campground in Middletown, Rhode Island. It’s less than a mile from the refuge and offers 44 RV-friendly campsites with full hookups. There’s also an on-site bathroom and shower facility. Come here for a close stay to the wildlife refuge and stay for the beaches and quick access to the rest of the nearby Newport area.
Not much farther is Paradise Park RV Campground, also in Middletown. Sites are paved and can fit campers of most any length, so you’ll have plenty of room to enjoy your lot here. All campsites come with water, sewage, and either 30- or 50-amp electric hookups. There’s a two-night minimum, so be sure to plan ahead if this is your chosen home base for your Sachuest Point vacation.
To the north of Newport in Portsmouth, Rhode Island is Melville Ponds, a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Since it’s still on Aquidneck Island, very near Sachuest Point, you’ll get access to all of the beaches and other ocean activities you want out of your Rhode Island RV vacation, plus full hookup RV campsites with cable TV. There are even a small number of oversized pull-through spots available, so reserve early if that’s what you’re looking for!
One island west from Aquidneck Island and Sachuest Point is Fort Getty Park & Campground in Jamestown, Rhode Island. Sitting on 41 acres of coastal land, the park was built on the location of historic fortifications at Fort Getty. Enjoy the beach, public boat ramp, and fishing dock when you reserve one of the many full-hookup RV campsites spread throughout the park.
Worden Pond Family Campground in Wakefield, Rhode Island is on the state’s mainland near the coast. The family-friendly campground is home to playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, and a game room. All RV sites come with water and electric hookup, a picnic table, and fire ring.
For a complete list of Newport’s amazing restaurants, check out Discover Newport’s website.