• Contact Us
  • Events calendar
Entering Swellesley
Pinnacle, Wellesley

The Swellesley Report

More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

  • Advertise
  • Business index
  • Contribute
  • Wellesley Square
  • Private schools
  • Camp
  • Eat
  • Schools
  • Top 10 things to do
  • Embracing diversity
  • Kids
  • About us
  • Events
  • Natick Report
  • COVID-19
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Athlete of the Week
  • Seniors
Needham Bank, Wellesley
Write Ahead, Wellesley

Beyond Wellesley: Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island

June 13, 2019 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

It was a late-spring Saturday, warm enough for an outdoor adventure. The forecast called for overcast skies, a bit of a breeze, and temperatures in the mid-70s. So not quite a classic a beach day. Still, after a long winter we wanted to remind ourselves what the ocean looked like. A hike, we thought, less than two hours  from Wellesley. A place that offered a few miles of trails, plenty of ocean views, and nature galore.

We found what we were looking for at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Middletown, Rhode Island. About 50 miles from Wellesley, the drive clocked in at about one hour, fifty minutes to the national park run by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. There, nature lovers can park for free in the large lot while they roam the 242 acre penisula that sits between the Sakonnet River and Rhode Island Sound.

From the mid-1600s to the early 1900s, Sachuest Point was used for farming and sheep grazing. During World War II, the U.S. Navy used the site for a rifle range and communications center. In 1970, a 70-acre donation from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island led to the establishment of Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge. Later land transfers from the Navy brought the refuge’s acreage to its current 242 acres, ensuring the preservation of an  important stopover and wintering area for migratory birds.

Sachuest point national wildlife refuge
The Visitors Center has a ranger on hand to answer questions, along with clean restrooms and interactive exhibits. Borrow a string bag that comes with a pair of binoculars and a bird guide. A couple of minutes after we headed out to the trails, a ranger pointed out a red-tailed hawk perched atop the building. The juvenile male raptor seemed to enjoy the attention for a while then made a dramatic exit, perhaps flying off in search of a meal.
Sachuest point national wildlife refuge
The Gothic-looking building across the water in nearby Newport is St. George’s private boarding and day school. The 350 students, grades 9 -12, enjoy pretty nice views and take advantage of their Atlantic Ocean location both academically and recreationally.

 

Sachuest point national wildlife refuge
Sachuest offers plenty of rock scrambling opportunities for the kids. Careful, some of those rocks are slippery, Don’t ask me how I know this.
Sachuest point national wildlife refuge
We took about two hours to hike the entire 3 mile loop. The views of  Little Compton and the mansions along Bellevue Avenue in Newport are unparalleled. We could hear and see the ocean almost always as we hiked the well-kept paths, popular with both locals and tourists.
Sachuest point national wildlife refuge
There are many overlook areas and plenty of opportunities to access the shoreline. The rocky, rough, wild nature of the area means no swimming. Second and Third Beaches are nearby, however, with lifeguards and large parking areas.
Sachuest point national wildlife refuge
Sachuest Refuge, looking very Winslow Homer.
Sachuest point national wildlife refuge
Sachuest Refuge paths are wide, level , and  can accommodate canes, walkers, and sturdy wheeled equipment. There are benches and seating areas in many spots along the walking paths. In prime viewing locations, the vegetation is often low enough that someone viewing from a wheelchair can enjoy the views.
Sachuest point national wildlife refuge
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge was established for the development, management, advancement, conservation and protection of fish and wildlife resources. The area also serves as for incidental wildlife oriented recreation area for activities such as fishing (with a permit), hiking, wildlife photography, and en plein air painting.
Sachuest point national wildlife refuge
This low lying area looks very moody in the fog.
Sachuest point national wildlife refuge
Sachuest Point is home to over 200 species of birds. We saw a red-tailed hawk, lots of common yellowthroats, cormorants sunning themselves on a rock, red winged blackbirds, and others.

Sachuest point national wildlife refuge

Nearby the Refuge are the popular Second and Third beaches. Just don’t try to leave your car in the Refuge lot and walk over. It’s not allowed, and a ranger is on duty to make sure you don’t go rogue. When we first got there, we saw a woman park her car, put her surfboard under her arm, get on her skateboard, and mosey down the easygoing hill leading to Second Beach. She looked so cool and surfer-girl, with her sun-streaked hair and her flaunting of the parking rules. Within ten minutes a ranger was stationed outside to prevent more scofflaws. Looks like summer is here, and the parking is not going to be easy, even if you are a free-spirited wave rider.

Just a few miles away is Newport, with plenty of lunch and shopping options, if you’re inclined to go in that direction. We had a nice day trip to this corner of Rhode Island and recommend Sachuest Point for those looking for a relaxed outdoor experience just a bit beyond Wellesley.

Beyond Wellesley: The hidden gardens of Beacon Hill

Beyond Wellesley: The Magnolia Trees of Back Bay

Beyond Wellesley: New Bedford Whaling Museum and lunch

print

Share

Filed Under: Beyond Wellesley, Environment, Outdoors

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Linden Square, Wellesley
Deland, Gibson, Wellesley
Wonderful Wellesley, see what's new

Tip us off…

Please send tips, photos, ideas to [email protected]

 

Advertisements

Wellesley Square
Wellesley, Jesamondo
Edge on Science
Sexton test prep
Feldman Law
Fay School, Southborough
Wellesley Theatre Project
Volvo
Cheesy Street Grill
Admit Fit, Wellesley
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
Never miss a post with our free daily Swellesley Report email
Name: 
Your email address:*
Please wait...
Please enter all required fields Click to hide
Correct invalid entries Click to hide

You can subscribe for free, though we appreciate any contribution that supports our independent journalism.

Click on Entering Natick sign to read our Natick Report

Entering Natick road sign

Most Read Posts

  • Family withdraws plan for large house near Wellesley's Brook Path
  • One final Hunnewell clap-out & shouts of "Judie! Judie! Judie!" for beloved crossing guard
  • Bench near Wellesley High honors Tom Zinck
  • Wellesley Business Buzz: Merchants raise 'Parking, parking, parking' concerns in Wellesley Square; Lockheart Restaurant sign goes up
  • The Wellesley aqueduct bathrooms at Hunnewell Field have landed

Upcoming Events

Jun 28
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Fay School admission information session

Jul 6
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Open House at Boston Outdoor Preschool Network

Jul 16
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Wellesley Square July Jubilation Sidewalk Sale

Jul 19
8:00 am - 9:00 am

Fay School admission information session

Jul 20
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Tour at Boston Outdoor Preschool Network

View Calendar

Popular pages

  • Wellesley’s 7 official scenic roads

Recent Comments

  • Susan on Wellesley Business Buzz: Merchants raise ‘Parking, parking, parking’ concerns in Wellesley Square; Lockheart Restaurant sign goes up
  • Susan Glynn on Wellesley Business Buzz: Merchants raise ‘Parking, parking, parking’ concerns in Wellesley Square; Lockheart Restaurant sign goes up
  • Jerry on Wellesley Business Buzz: Merchants raise ‘Parking, parking, parking’ concerns in Wellesley Square; Lockheart Restaurant sign goes up
  • EK on Family withdraws plan for large house near Wellesley’s Brook Path
  • Amy G. on Big Wellesley garage sale, June 18th, plus Town rules for holding your own sale

Links we like

  • Great Runs
  • Jack Sanford: Wellesley's Major League Baseball Star
  • Taquitos.net
  • Tech-Tamer
  • The Wellesley Wine Press
  • Universal Hub
  • Wellesley Sports Discussion Facebook Group

Categories

  • 2021 Town Election (24)
  • Animals (416)
  • Antiques (49)
  • Art (576)
  • Beyond Wellesley (47)
  • Books (365)
  • Business (1,500)
  • Camp (11)
  • Careers/jobs (48)
  • Churches (79)
  • Clubs (228)
  • Construction (295)
  • Dump (127)
  • Education (3,108)
    • Babson College (250)
    • Bates Elementary School (16)
    • Dana Hall School (34)
    • Fiske Elementary School (9)
    • Hardy Elementary School (44)
    • Hunnewell Elementary School (42)
    • MassBay (55)
    • Schofield Elementary School (24)
    • Sprague Elementary School (19)
    • St. John School (2)
    • Tenacre Country Day School (11)
    • Upham Elementary School (35)
    • Wellesley College (608)
    • Wellesley High School (961)
    • Wellesley Middle School (203)
  • Embracing diversity (69)
  • Entertainment (786)
  • Environment (749)
  • Fashion (141)
  • Finance (14)
  • Fire (162)
  • Food (342)
  • Fundraising (612)
  • Gardens (157)
  • Government (556)
    • 2020 Town Election (47)
    • 2022 Town Election (14)
  • Health (850)
    • COVID-19 (200)
  • Hikes (3)
  • History (388)
  • Holidays (405)
  • Houses (153)
  • Humor (47)
  • Kids (849)
  • Law (8)
  • Legal notices (6)
  • Letters to the Editor (62)
  • Media (70)
  • METCO (4)
  • Military (11)
  • Morses Pond (108)
  • Music (568)
  • Natick Report (29)
  • Neighbors (273)
  • Obituaries & remembrances (73)
  • Outdoors (642)
  • Parenting (62)
  • Police (757)
    • Crime (386)
  • Politics (551)
  • POPS Senior Profile (8)
  • RDF (6)
  • Real estate (330)
  • Religion (131)
  • Restaurants (332)
  • Safety (150)
  • Scouts (2)
  • Seniors (120)
  • Shopping (143)
  • Sponsored (6)
  • Sports (980)
    • Athlete of the Week (6)
  • STEM (107)
  • Technology (164)
  • Theatre (392)
  • Town Meeting (23)
  • Transportation (230)
  • Travel (17)
  • Uncategorized (1,230)
  • Volunteering (346)
  • Weather (177)
  • Wellesley Election 2019 (21)
  • Wellesley Free Library (276)
  • Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend (19)
RSS Feed Icon Subscribe to RSS Feed
Deland, Gibson Insurance, Wellesley

© 2022 The Swellesley Report
Site by Tech-Tamer · Login