Arcadia Wildlife Management Park

Park · Rhode Island

Arcadia Wildlife Management Park

Best timeMay–Oct
From you
Nearest airportWST · 15 mi
On this page

Overview

Arcadia Wildlife Management Park is the largest recreational area in Rhode Island, United States. The park is actively managed for hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Mar. (climate data from nearby Narragansett)

Jan: 3.7 in rain3.7"Jan: high 40°F, low 22°F40°22°JanFeb: 3.2 in rain3.2"Feb: high 42°F, low 23°F42°23°FebMar: 4.5 in rain4.5"Mar: high 49°F, low 29°F49°29°MarApr: 3.9 in rain3.9"Apr: high 59°F, low 38°F59°38°AprMay: 3.5 in rain3.5"May: high 69°F, low 48°F69°48°MayJun: 3.9 in rain3.9"Jun: high 78°F, low 58°F78°58°JunJul: 3.7 in rain3.7"Jul: high 83°F, low 64°F83°64°JulAug: 4.0 in rain4"Aug: high 82°F, low 63°F82°63°AugSep: 3.9 in rain3.9"Sep: high 75°F, low 56°F75°56°SepOct: 4.6 in rain4.6"Oct: high 65°F, low 45°F65°45°OctNov: 3.8 in rain3.8"Nov: high 54°F, low 36°F54°36°NovDec: 4.5 in rain4.5"Dec: high 45°F, low 27°F45°27°Dec

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

  • From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
  • WST Westerly State Airport, Westerly — 15 mi away. Directions
  • PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, Providence/Warwick — 19 mi away (major hub). Directions

Arcadia can be accessed from I-95 in Rhode Island, or I-395 in Connecticut.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Food for you

What to ask about, for your diet

    Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

    Understand

    The Arcadia Management Area includes an extensive network of marked and maintained trails. Trails are commonly used for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Fishing and boating are permitted at Breakheart Pond, however swimming is not allowed. The Wood River provides Class I and Class II rapids for Kayakers and canoeists. Horseback riders can camp at the Reynold's Horseman Area.

    History

    Landscape

    Flora and fauna

    Climate

    Arcadia has a humid continental climate with warm, rainy summers and chilly winters. The highest temperature recorded in Rhode Island was 104 °F (40 °C), recorded on August 2, 1975. The lowest recorded temperature in Rhode Island was −25 °F (−32 °C), on February 5, 1996. Monthly average temperatures range from a high of 83 °F (28 °C) to a low of 20 °F (−7 °C).

    Get in

    By car

    Arcadia can be accessed from I-95 in Rhode Island, or I-395 in Connecticut.

    From I-95, take exit 5A to RI-102 S. Follow 102 south .8 miles to State Route 3 South. Follow 3 south 1.2 miles, and turn right onto State Route 165 West. Follow Route 165 West approximately 1.4 miles to Arcadia Road . Turn left and follow Arcadia Road about 3 miles, turning left at the stop sign. The Management Area Headquarters building will be on your right. You will pass the Browning Mill Pond Recreation Area on your way to the Headquarters.

    From I-395, take exit 86 for CT-201 S, towards Hopeville. After approx 14 miles, turn left onto CT-138 E. After approx 3.5 miles, CT-138 E becomes CT-165 E. Follow CT-165 into Rhode Island, where it becomes RI-165 E. RI-165 E passes through the middle of Arcadia Management Area shortly after entering Rhode Island.

    Get around

    The park is over 14,000 acres with many paved, gravel, and dirt roads. There is no public transportation in the area, so you will have to depend on car or bike to get around.

    Sleep

    Lodging

    Camping

    Backcountry

    Nearby

    My experience

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