Beavertail State Park

Beavertail State Park attracts people from all over the country, to enjoy its pristine environment. Beavertail’s most popular activity is sightseeing, and can be done from the comfort of a vehicle, in one of the four overlooks or on foot, from the rocky coastline.

The white with red roofed historic Beavertail lighthouse sits on a grassy green lawn with bright blue sky

Beavertail State Park in Jamestown, Rhode Island offers some of the most beautiful vistas along the New England coastline. You can enjoy this pristine landscape from one of four overlooks or walk the rocky coastline, which features excellent saltwater fishing. Beavertail attracts scientists of all ages for an exploration of its fascinating geology, ecology, and marine life. The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum offers historical information about the property, Narragansett Bay, and the shipping industry that helped shape Rhode Island. It also features a collection of artifacts from the third-oldest lighthouse in North America.

Amenities

Science Education: The Beavertail Naturalist Program offers a variety of marine education programs at the Beavertail Aquarium (seasonal) that attracts hundreds of people each year. Accessible tide pools are ideal for ecological or marine biology field studies.

Experiences: Sightseeing, Hiking, Walking, Birding, Saltwater Fishing, Science Education, Picnicking, Photography

Beavertail Lighthouse Museum: The Beavertail Lighthouse was built in 1856 and is the premier lighthouse in Rhode Island, marking the entrance to Narragansett Bay. The Museum is open seasonally. For hours and information, visit www.beavertaillight.org.

Fort Burnside: Located on the grounds of what today is Beavertail State Park in Jamestown, Fort Burnside was a World War II Coastal Fort first established in 1942. Named after Major General Ambrose E. Burnside, a U.S. Civil War General and Rhode Island Governor from 1866-1868, the fort's purpose was to surveil marine traffic traveling into Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor. Today the building is home to the Fort Burnside Communication and Coastal Defense Museum, a by-appointment museum which hosts an annual workshop for ham radio enthusiasts. To learn more or to contact the Museum, fortburnside@gmail.com.

A painted rock reads, "Come on in!" in front of a naturalist cabin

RI Parks Naturalist Program

Explore the wild side of Rhode Island, from jellyfish to earthworms, snakes, and coyotes, to exploring geology, migration, botany, and so much more. RI State Parks' Naturalist Program offers diverse environmental education to people of all ages.

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History Of Beavertail State Park (1980)

The State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Parks and Recreation has worked with the Town of Jamestown toward the creation of Beavertail State Park, which is comprised of Federal Surplus Land. In moving toward this goal, the Department and the Town have analyzed the characteristics of the land and developed a park to meet the needs of the users while preserving the fragile ecological, scenic and historical attributes of Beavertail.