Rhode Island Beach Reviews
Summer is finally here! It is officially time to grab your bikini, flip-flops, zinc, and beach towels and make a run for the sand. There is no better feeling then sipping on an iced tea or lemonade and feeling the heat beating down on your pale white winter-skinned body.
When you move to Rhode Island or even come for a visit you may be asking where one should go to lay on the beach. This is a very good question and a perfect place to be inquisitive seeing as though we are nicknamed “The Ocean State.”
I have not managed to make it to every beach in Rhode Island in order to provide a review but I can however, give some suggestions, pros and cons to the beaches that I have visited during the summers.
Lincoln Woods State Park
This park is located just outside of Providence. I used to go to Lincoln Woods as a child. It is a nice park but there are periods of time where I recall being there and the evaluation of the water came up less then clean but whenever this occurs they shut down the water and reopen it for swimming once it is back in “passing standards” again. It is also always an option in Rhode Island to go to http://www.ribeaches.org/ and read the evaluations after the tests are run. The park offers bathroom facilities. Lincoln Woods also offers hiking, fishing, baseball, freshwater, swimming, and boating, horse-back riding, and picnicking. Many people go jogging or walking at this park as well so when you drive into the park for the first time please take caution on the joggers and walkers behalf. Lincoln Woods has free Admission. Alcohol is prohibited. You can read more about Lincoln Woods.
Spring Lake Beach Facility
Spring Lake is approximately 750 feet. The beach is located in Burrillville, Rhode Island. The water is fresh water. I used to go here quite a bit growing up. There used to be lifeguards out on docks in the water as I recall but I am not sure if they still do it. They offer volleyball, food concessions, boating, and an arcade (which I used to spend quite a bit of time in.) They also offer hall rentals. Spring Lake charges admission. They have a picnic area and restrooms, Alcohol is prohibited, No Pets allowed. This beach is wheel chair accessible.
Narragansett Town Beach
Narragansett Town Beach or Narragansett Pier as the locals would call it is about a half-mile long. It is a public beach. There are two full-service pavilions featuring lifeguards, food concessions, restrooms, first aid and is handicap accessible. There are also rental cabanas, picnic areas, changing rooms and a boardwalk for beach access. On top of that they offer recreational programming. Surfing lessons and leagues, aerobics classes, junior lifeguard program, musical concerts, sand castle contests, volleyball leagues, triathlon, kite festival and pumpkin festival are all offered at this beach at various times throughout the year. Narragansett Town Beach is quite the tourist attraction. Living there in the summers was rough because of all of the traffic you encounter from tourists and beach-goers. My advice to you is to get there early in order to try and avoid some of the chaos. Narragansett Town Beach charges admission. This beach is wheel chair accessible and will make special arrangements upon request. You can read more about Narragansett here.
Scarborough State Beach
Scarborough beach is a clean, sandy beach. There is a moderate to heavy surf with occasional strong undertow which makes it an excellent beach for surfing or boarding. They recently built a large pavilion. I like this beach but if you decide to go make sure to wear sandals, flip-flops, sneakers or water shoes. The last time I was there I remember there being some broken seashells as you walk to and from the parking to the sand. Scarborough offers a picnic area and restroom. Alcohol is prohibited as well as pets. This beach is wheel chair accessible and will make special arrangements upon request. You can learn more about Scarborough here.
Oakland Beach
Oakland beach is a bay inlet beach located in Warwick, Rhode Island. It is a salt-water beach and there are restaurants nearby. There is a place named Iggy’s as you enter the beach to the right. Iggy’s makes some really good clam cakes and chowder. There is also a boat ramp on Bay Avenue. Oakland beach also offers restrooms and saltwater fishing. Oakland Beach charges admission and are wheel chair accessible.
I hope I have made your beach/tanning experience easier for you. Please don’t forget the sunscreen!
