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Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge
4.6 ★★★★★ 107 Google reviews · Running trail in North Smithfield, Rhode Island · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Owned and maintained by Audubon Society, this 235-acre wildlife refuge offers trails for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
What runners say about Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge
“There is a spacious parking lot, a place to chain bikes, a few benches built into the entryway, and even a very clean portable toilet!”
“beautiful and scenic lots of stone walls, guided trail markers, beautiful water views that we saw sun turtles, many beaver dams, bull frogs, herons and Canadian geese.”
“Another great Audubon Refuge, however, this one is not as well marked as others I have visited in RI.”
“I love this place just to relax and sit by a quiet little lake, there's a great few branch offs of the trails too that lead to some beautiful finds.”
“Easy trail, lots of mature pine, and oak.”
Very nice easy trails. Good for children and older adults. No steep climbs. All trails are very well marked
Another great Audubon Refuge, however, this one is not as well marked as others I have visited in RI. Still because the various trails are short, you cant really get lost. And if you have a smart phone you can download the trail map from the Audubon website. 🙂
Beautiful and peaceful place with clearly marked and maintained trails.
conveniently located right off Route 5 in North Smithfield down a short dirt road way. beautiful and scenic lots of stone walls, guided trail markers, beautiful water views that we saw sun turtles, many beaver dams, bull frogs, herons and Canadian geese.
Trail conditions & character
“beautiful and scenic lots of stone walls, guided trail markers, beautiful water views that we saw sun turtles, many beaver dams, bull frogs, herons and Canadian geese.”
“No dogs allowed, so people like me who are fragile and/or terrified of dogs can walk freely!”
“I love this place just to relax and sit by a quiet little lake, there's a great few branch offs of the trails too that lead to some beautiful finds.”
“beautiful and scenic lots of stone walls, guided trail markers, beautiful water views that we saw sun turtles, many beaver dams, bull frogs, herons and Canadian geese.”
“There is a spacious parking lot, a place to chain bikes, a few benches built into the entryway, and even a very clean portable toilet!”
“Parking lot was extremely muddy on warm day in January, but trail was dry.”
“There is a spacious parking lot, a place to chain bikes, a few benches built into the entryway, and even a very clean portable toilet!”
Plan your run at Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteasri.org
- Phone(401) 949-5454
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near North Smithfield
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Rocky Hill Road Conservation Area, North Smithfield Land Trust
3.5 ★★★★☆ 2 reviews
Globe Park
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Latham Brook Preserve
3.2 ★★★☆☆ 5 reviews
Booth Pond Conservation Area Trailhead
4.3 ★★★★☆ 15 reviews
Mowry Conservation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 257 reviews
Kid-friendly park with nature trails that are half and three-quarters of a mile long.
