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Meshanticut State Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 189 Google reviews · Running trail in Cranston, Rhode Island · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Meshanticut State Park'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.
Paved loop dotted with benches surrounding a duck-filled lake with swans.
What runners say about Meshanticut State Park
“Other than that it's a beautiful place , four laps with my dog is just about 3 Miles which is perfect .”
“Great place to walk, run, walk your dog, or go fishing!”
“Highly recommend this local gem tucked away in a quiet neighborhood!”
“It's safe and an easy walk with a dog .”
“The only thing I don’t like is people leaving their dogs poop and letting their dogs poop on the walkway.”
Tucked away in a sleepy little neighbourhood of Western Cranston, sandwiched between Cranston West High School and US 295 is one of Rhode Island's gems. A man made concrete bottom pond originally constructed as a novelty to sell houses Meshanticut Lake has since transformed into an oasis of green tranquility complete…
Small but beautiful park centered around a picturesque pond covered with water lilies in the summer. The path around the lake is part paved trail and part street, so be aware of drivers. Good place to walk your dog, exercise, fish, or just sit and watch the wildlife (especially ducks, geese, and swans).
Beautiful park! 0.8 mi Loop around Lake Meshanticut! Great place to walk, run, walk your dog, or go fishing! Highly recommend this local gem tucked away in a quiet neighborhood!
Love the place but not all the dog owners , some actually leave there dog off leash !! And some have no common courtesy to give a wide berth when another dog is approaching. Other than that it's a beautiful place , four laps with my dog is just about 3 Miles which is perfect . It's safe and an easy walk with a dog .
Trail conditions & character
“Good place to walk your dog, exercise, fish, or just sit and watch the wildlife (especially ducks, geese, and swans).”
“Other than that it's a beautiful place , four laps with my dog is just about 3 Miles which is perfect .”
“Highly recommend this local gem tucked away in a quiet neighborhood!”
“The path around the lake is part paved trail and part street, so be aware of drivers.”
“Perhaps if they had a few doggy bag stations around the loop people would be more inclined to pick up.”
Plan your run at Meshanticut State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- 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.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteriparks.ri.gov
- Phone+1 401-667-6200
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 am–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30 am–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30 am–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30 am–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 6:30 am–8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 6:30 am–8:30 pm |
| Sunday | 6:30 am–8:30 pm |
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