The Ocean State might be known for its beautiful beaches, but there are other Rhode Island swimming spots! Who doesn’t love a nice dip in a cool freshwater pond? Here are 9 RI swimming holes that you should definitely check out this summer.
- Watchaug Pond, Burlingame
Flickr/Madhu Madhavan This freshwater pond is found in Burlingame, one of the state’s most beautiful parks. The pond consists of hundreds of acres of amazing swimming space that is also ideal for fishing. Learn more in our previous article. Watchaug Pond, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA
- Wallum Lake, Burrillville
Flickr/C.C. Chapman This massive lake sits on the border of Rhode Island and Massachusetts and is a lovely place to swim in northern Rhode Island. Learn more in our previous article. Wallum Lake, United States
- Ninigret Pond, Charlestown
Flickr/Ron Cogswell Ninigret Pond has several amazing beaches along its shores that are perfect to visit on a warm summer’s day. Learn more in our previous article. Ninigret Pond, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA
- Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln
Flickr/Sean Benham Spend your afternoon hiking and exploring the park and then cool off at the freshwater beach. Sounds like a great summer day, right? Learn more in our previous article. Lincoln Woods State Park, 2 Manchester Print Works Rd, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA
- Potter Pond, Matunuck
Flickr/Kimberly Snyder This saltwater pond is perfect for cooling off while visiting all that South County has to offer in the summer. Learn more on the Salt Ponds Coalition website. Potter Pond, South Kingstown, RI 02879, USA
- Wood River
Flickr/Peter Rintels Wood River is a 25 mile river flowing between Rhode Island and Connecticut. It offers some of the most beautiful places for swimming found in the state, at several locations along its route. Learn more in our previous article. Wood River, Rhode Island, USA
- Ashville Pond, Hopkinton
Flickr/Eric Harrison This 30 acre pond is found in the Rockville Management Area off Cononchet Road in Hopkinton. Learn more on the Explore Rhode Island website. Ashville Pond, Hopkinton, RI 02833, USA
- Bowdish Reservoir, Chepachet
Flickr/Sal Gnomesman2011 Bowdish offers some of the most amazing freshwater swimming to be found in the state. Learn more in our previous article.
- Peck Pond, Chepachet
Yelp/Paul M. This 30 acre pond is found in the heart of Pulaski State Park and recreational area. It is not only well maintained, but also the perfect place to cool off after a great hike. Learn more in our previous article. Peck Pond, United States
Flickr/Madhu Madhavan
This freshwater pond is found in Burlingame, one of the state’s most beautiful parks. The pond consists of hundreds of acres of amazing swimming space that is also ideal for fishing. Learn more in our previous article.
Watchaug Pond, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA
Flickr/C.C. Chapman
This massive lake sits on the border of Rhode Island and Massachusetts and is a lovely place to swim in northern Rhode Island. Learn more in our previous article.
Wallum Lake, United States
Flickr/Ron Cogswell
Ninigret Pond has several amazing beaches along its shores that are perfect to visit on a warm summer’s day. Learn more in our previous article.
Ninigret Pond, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA
Flickr/Sean Benham
Spend your afternoon hiking and exploring the park and then cool off at the freshwater beach. Sounds like a great summer day, right? Learn more in our previous article.
Lincoln Woods State Park, 2 Manchester Print Works Rd, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA
Flickr/Kimberly Snyder
This saltwater pond is perfect for cooling off while visiting all that South County has to offer in the summer. Learn more on the Salt Ponds Coalition website.
Potter Pond, South Kingstown, RI 02879, USA
Flickr/Peter Rintels
Wood River is a 25 mile river flowing between Rhode Island and Connecticut. It offers some of the most beautiful places for swimming found in the state, at several locations along its route. Learn more in our previous article.
Wood River, Rhode Island, USA
Flickr/Eric Harrison
This 30 acre pond is found in the Rockville Management Area off Cononchet Road in Hopkinton. Learn more on the Explore Rhode Island website.
Ashville Pond, Hopkinton, RI 02833, USA
Flickr/Sal Gnomesman2011
Bowdish offers some of the most amazing freshwater swimming to be found in the state. Learn more in our previous article.
Yelp/Paul M.
This 30 acre pond is found in the heart of Pulaski State Park and recreational area. It is not only well maintained, but also the perfect place to cool off after a great hike. Learn more in our previous article.
Peck Pond, United States
What do you think are the best places to swim in RI? Tell us about it on our nomination page, and you just might see your suggestion featured in an upcoming article.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
RI Swimming Holes May 30, 2022 Katie Lawrence What are the best lakes in Rhode Island? When it comes to the best lakes in Rhode Island, Wallum Lake definitely comes out on top. This 322-acre reservoir extends northward into Massachusetts, and it’s surrounded by lush greenery on all sides. With three boat ramps and epic hiking and birdwatching opportunities, this Ocean State gem is every angler and birdwatcher’s dream. Where are the best places to swim in RI? As a coastal state, Rhode Island boasts nearly 400 miles of pristine shoreline - and more than 100 beaches, to boot. If we could only pick one of the best places to swim in RI, it would probably be Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly. This tourist destination is where all the action happens, so to speak. A seven-mile stretch of pearly white sand, the beach offers everything from jet ski and paddleboat rentals to surfing lessons to amusement park rides and water slides. A trip here promises to make your summer epic! What are the best waterparks in Rhode Island? Typically open from early July through Labor Day weekend, Yawgoo Valley Ski Area & Water Park is easily one of the best waterparks in Rhode Island. The park boasts two exhilarating waterslides, each one almost 400 feet long. There’s also a full-size swimming pool, plus a shallow, one-foot wading area specifically designed for the little ones. If you get hungry - which you will, since swimming tends to work up quite an appetite - Ryder’s Tiki Bar offers burgers, nachos, and other classic eats, plus ice cream and even alcoholic beverages for the adults.
The OIYS Visitor Center
RI Swimming Holes
May 30, 2022
Katie Lawrence
What are the best lakes in Rhode Island? When it comes to the best lakes in Rhode Island, Wallum Lake definitely comes out on top. This 322-acre reservoir extends northward into Massachusetts, and it’s surrounded by lush greenery on all sides. With three boat ramps and epic hiking and birdwatching opportunities, this Ocean State gem is every angler and birdwatcher’s dream. Where are the best places to swim in RI? As a coastal state, Rhode Island boasts nearly 400 miles of pristine shoreline - and more than 100 beaches, to boot. If we could only pick one of the best places to swim in RI, it would probably be Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly. This tourist destination is where all the action happens, so to speak. A seven-mile stretch of pearly white sand, the beach offers everything from jet ski and paddleboat rentals to surfing lessons to amusement park rides and water slides. A trip here promises to make your summer epic! What are the best waterparks in Rhode Island? Typically open from early July through Labor Day weekend, Yawgoo Valley Ski Area & Water Park is easily one of the best waterparks in Rhode Island. The park boasts two exhilarating waterslides, each one almost 400 feet long. There’s also a full-size swimming pool, plus a shallow, one-foot wading area specifically designed for the little ones. If you get hungry - which you will, since swimming tends to work up quite an appetite - Ryder’s Tiki Bar offers burgers, nachos, and other classic eats, plus ice cream and even alcoholic beverages for the adults.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
When it comes to the best lakes in Rhode Island, Wallum Lake definitely comes out on top. This 322-acre reservoir extends northward into Massachusetts, and it’s surrounded by lush greenery on all sides. With three boat ramps and epic hiking and birdwatching opportunities, this Ocean State gem is every angler and birdwatcher’s dream.
Where are the best places to swim in RI?
As a coastal state, Rhode Island boasts nearly 400 miles of pristine shoreline - and more than 100 beaches, to boot. If we could only pick one of the best places to swim in RI, it would probably be Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly. This tourist destination is where all the action happens, so to speak. A seven-mile stretch of pearly white sand, the beach offers everything from jet ski and paddleboat rentals to surfing lessons to amusement park rides and water slides. A trip here promises to make your summer epic!
What are the best waterparks in Rhode Island?
Typically open from early July through Labor Day weekend, Yawgoo Valley Ski Area & Water Park is easily one of the best waterparks in Rhode Island. The park boasts two exhilarating waterslides, each one almost 400 feet long. There’s also a full-size swimming pool, plus a shallow, one-foot wading area specifically designed for the little ones. If you get hungry - which you will, since swimming tends to work up quite an appetite - Ryder’s Tiki Bar offers burgers, nachos, and other classic eats, plus ice cream and even alcoholic beverages for the adults.
