Events

Explore the outdoors with us!

Goddard Park

Guided Hikes

Roadway

We host specially themed walks and hikes several times throughout the year.

Learn more

50 Nature-Based Activities

Frog

There are lots of fun activities you can do right from your home, backyard, or neighborhood. Try some of these activities on your own or with your family!

Ideas for getting outside

Letterboxing In State Parklands

Letterbox in park

This intriguing "treasure hunt"-style outdoor activity challenges you to find hidden letterboxes in publicly accessible places, like parks. There are around 90,000 letterboxes hidden across North America. All you need is a notepad and a rubber stamp. You'll find the clues for each letterbox at www.letterboxing.org; enter RI State Parks in the "Search by Letterbox Name" to find letterboxes in state parks. Each letterbox contains a log book, a rubber stamp, and an ink pad. When you find the letterbox, use your stamp to leave your mark in the letterbox log book, and stamp your own log book with the letterbox stamp. Try to collect all the state park stamps!

Get started

State Lifeguard Certification Testing

A State Lifeguard watches over candidates testing to become lifeguards

Individuals interested in working as a lifeguard in the State of Rhode Island must become certified by the Rhode Island State Parks as either a Surf or Non-Surf lifeguard to work at a waterfront facility. Rhode Island State Parks no longer tests for State Lifeguard Pool Certification.

  • Surf Certified: Lifeguards can work at any type of swimming facility in the state.
  • Non-Surf Certified: Lifeguards can work at non-surf (freshwater or bayside) beaches and pools.

Learn more and find upcoming testing dates