Long Pond Woods Wildlife Refuge - Hopkinton, RI
Long Pond Woods Wildlife Refuge in Hopkinton, RI, offers a unique dog park experience with pet-friendly trails perfect for hiking enthusiasts and their furry friends. This dog park in Hopkinton features challenging rock scrambles and scenic views, including a stunning overlook of the lake, making it a top choice for dog owners seeking an adventurous outdoor escape. While the entrance is not wheelchair accessible, the trails provide a rewarding experience for those who enjoy moderate to challenging hikes with their dogs.
The refuge is well-suited for families and kids, providing a safe and engaging environment for all ages. Dog-friendly hiking here includes varied terrain with some steep inclines and rocky paths, so it’s ideal for active dogs and owners prepared for a bit of a workout. Visitors recommend sturdy hiking shoes and caution for older or small dogs due to the rugged trail conditions. Overall, Long Pond Woods is a must-visit for anyone looking for a scenic, pet-friendly hiking destination in Rhode Island.
FAQ for Long Pond Woods Wildlife Refuge in Hopkinton Rhode Island:
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? No, the entrance to Long Pond Woods Wildlife Refuge is not wheelchair accessible.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the park offers hiking trails with some rock scrambles and challenging inclines, providing beautiful scenic views including a lake overlook.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park is good for kids and offers hiking activities suitable for families.
- Are puppies allowed at the park? While not explicitly stated, it is cautioned that older or small dogs might find the rocky scrambles difficult to navigate, implying that care should be taken with puppies or less agile dogs.
Reviews
Been on a lot of hikes, this is definitely in the top 10. It keeps surprising you and challenging you the further you go. There is some climbing but nothing crazy, just enough to get your heart beat pumping. The view of the lake from the rocky overlook is worth the track! I am excited to come back!
Love this trail! Beautiful and decently challenging! Dirt road on the way to trail is a bit rough (pot holes) so if your car is low to the ground drive carefully and very slow!
Beautiful views, but be warned that the trail is narrow, not very well marked, and pretty technical. If I didn’t run into someone on the trail and get directions, I probably would’ve turned the wrong way and never seen the pond at all. You will need to scramble and even climb in certain areas to traverse the rocks and get to the area where the views of the pond are. The road on the way in is also pretty rough and not well maintained, so be wise in which vehicle you choose to get there.
Good place for hiking or walking with dogs.Nice views a specially of the lake from the racks. Good hiking shoes definitely recommend there. You need almost 2 hours to complete the hiking trails. I will be back there again in summer time for more adventures…
This has become one of my local favorite hikes it is challenging and has a very beautiful scenery at the top. For comparison I have hiked Blue Hills in Mass and this is just as good but much shorter. There are some really high 20% grade inclines on this trail so it is not a beginner level.
Fun trail because of the rock scrambles. The most rocky trail I’ve experienced in RI so far. The mountain laurels and rhododendrons are gorgeous, just because of how thick they are, swallowing up the boulders around you. I hiked the trail mid-June and there were some scattered mountain laurels blooming, and no buds on the rhododendrons, so I wouldn’t expect thick blooms.The Ell Pond Trailhead is a shorter hike to the Long Pond overlook. Make sure you follow the yellow blazes (not the red arrow on a rock). The Long Pond trail gives you a longer hike past more rock scrambles and mountain laurels. It wasn’t too difficult for a casual hiker.
Love this trail! We brought our mini aussie and he absolutely loved it, but I would caution against bringing older dogs or small dogs. The scrambles may be difficult for some dogs to navigate. We also did the Asheville pond trail nearby, which is heavily wooded in some spots — definitely wear long pants & long socks as you’ll be walking through prickers in various spots if you do that trail!