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Grills Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 73 Google reviews · Running trail in Bradford, Rhode Island · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 2.5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Grills Preserve'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.
Family-friendly hiking area offering forest views, swamps, ponds, and well-marked trails.
What runners say about Grills Preserve
“It has a fantastic overview at Big Hill and the area on the north side of the river has lots of beautiful old farm walls (and another overview).”
“Lots of cool bridges over the Pawcatuck river and Tomaquag Brooke Trials are well marked Forest notes: Forest age ranges from clear-cut to 100+ years old.”
“It's easy walking and nicely maintained.”
This is a pretty place to hike with several nice trails. Dogs are allowed off-leash but under voice control. Make sure to take a picture of the map before you start.
Awesome hike in Westerly. Virtually no vertical rise, so good for all skill levels. Nice views of Pawcatuck River and an interesting cemetery with Revolutionary War era/veteran gravestones. Doable in 90 minutes.
Beautiful preserve and a great place to hike! Hill views from atop Big hill to the south and Chase Hill Ridge to the north. Lots of cool bridges over the Pawcatuck river and Tomaquag Brooke Trials are well marked Forest notes: Forest age ranges from clear-cut to 100+ years old.
Went out today for a short 2.5 mile hike. Orange to blue, then back to the parking lot. Lots of Birds active today. One of the more interesting birdsongs I've heard. Also got to see quite a few animals and flowers near or on the trail. A turtle, a salamander, and a gnarly spider carrying tons of babies.
Trail conditions & character
“It has a fantastic overview at Big Hill and the area on the north side of the river has lots of beautiful old farm walls (and another overview).”
“I grew up playing in the preserve (back then we called it Big Hill) but I'll always be connected to the preserve as so many memories of me and my kids were had at the preserve.”
“Lots of cool bridges over the Pawcatuck river and Tomaquag Brooke Trials are well marked Forest notes: Forest age ranges from clear-cut to 100+ years old.”
“Dogs are allowed off-leash but under voice control.”
“The main loop is 5 miles and you have some nice views plus there is a connector bridge over the Pawcatuck River into Hopkinton, RI.”
Plan your run at Grills Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- Loop distance2.5 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitewesterlylandtrust.org
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Bradford
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Grills Wildlife Sanctuary, Hopkinton
4.9 ★★★★★ 22 reviews
Barlow Nature Preserve
5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews
Woody Hill Management Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 47 reviews
Wildlife park offering kid-friendly hikes, plus trails and opportunities for mountain biking.
Riverwood Preserve
3.5 ★★★★☆ 4 reviews
