Home › Rhode Island › Exeter › Ben Utter Trailhead
Ben Utter Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 84 Google reviews · Running trail in Exeter, Rhode Island · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- 2 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Ben Utter Trailhead'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.
Hiking area featuring waterfalls, picnic spots, and kid-friendly trails.
What runners say about Ben Utter Trailhead
“When the Falls River is running strong the Ben Utter Trail is one of the most scenic hikes in RI.”
“The trails are clean and well marked, the Wood River is beautiful and the trail has lovely views of it.”
This is a great hike with kids. It was a little tricky to find the trailhead especially as it feels you drive almost 10 minutes after turning off a main rode. Make sure to park at the bridge which is a good marker for finding the start. Currently the falls are quite low so you can walk where water would be.
One of my FAVORITE trails...absolutely gorgeous and good distance. There are plenty bodies of water, including a home/hut with picnic tables built in the woods where you can stop and have a snack if you feel like it. If you want a GORGEOUS walk/hike with plenty of wildlife and amazing scenery ... go to Ben Utter Trail.
This is my favorite trail in Rhode Island, Ben Utter to Stepstone Falls. I have hiked it in every season and in different weather and its beautiful. It is an easy there and back again trail from either Ben Utter. It follows along the stream for the most part. Sometimes there is a lot of floral and fungi.
A hidden gem. This trail will enchant you with the sounds of an endless running brook, the birds chirping and the rustling of leaves on trees. A moderate trail with little to no incline so make sure you wear comfortable sneakers or perhaps hiking boots pack a small lunch and enjoy sitting at the trails mesmerizing…
Trail conditions & character
“When the Falls River is running strong the Ben Utter Trail is one of the most scenic hikes in RI.”
“It was a little tricky to find the trailhead especially as it feels you drive almost 10 minutes after turning off a main rode.”
“Not a difficult hike but there enough rocks, roots and other trip hazards to make me say that it may not be suitable for everyone.”
“The trails are clean and well marked, the Wood River is beautiful and the trail has lovely views of it.”
Plan your run at Ben Utter Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Distance2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
Running trails near Exeter
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Pachaug State Forest
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Big River Management Area
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