Recreation
The WRWC hosts paddle, hiking and biking trips with its friends and neighbors to share the wonder, beauty and history of the Woonasquatucket River. Join us as we float along different sections of the river, bike through history, and discover wildlife while meandering up the Woonasquatucket River Greenway! If weather is bad, we may reschedule events, and will contact all registrants via email if so.
Learn more here about how to support WRWC’s efforts to continue bringing paddles, hiking and biking to the Woonasquatucket River community!
Pricing for Recreational Series Activities
Explore the Woonasquatucket Recreation Series: $10 per person
Summer Paddle Trips:
$35 – Solo kayak rental
$50 – Two-person canoe rental
$25 – Bring Your Own Boat (per person – covers costs of CPR certified guides & tour info)
Advance sign-up required for all recreational events except our Free Community Paddles at Riverside Park on Thursday afternoons during the summer.
For More Information:
Erik Talley
401-481-1376
etalley@wrwc.org
“Explore the Woonasquatucket Recreation Series”
Join us as we explore the full length of the 19-mile Woonasquatucket River–from top to bottom, North Smithfield to downtown Providence. We’ll paddle, bike and hike, highlighting the different types of environments as we explore the length of this Rhode Island treasure. Schedule is subject to change. Pre registration is required for all recreation events.
Saturday, March 18, 10am: Hike Heritage Park Conservation Area This is a lovely, wide path with rolling hills. On our walk through this section of the Glocester Land Trust’s 447 acre property, we’ll amble through beautiful forest land, pass majestic rock ledges and loop up and around Steere Hill before heading back. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Saturday, April 22, 7pm: Meteor Shower Hike at Steere Hill Join us this Earth Day for a potential viewing of the Lyrid Meteor Shower! We’ll hike to the beautiful and historic Steere Hill in Glocester, RI. Starting at the trailhead on Route 44, we’ll travel the wide, flat trail for about 40 minutes to the top of Steere Hill, where we’ll have some hot cocoa and enjoy looking out for the celestial fireworks. Kid friendly! Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Saturday, May 27, 10am: Hike Connors Farm Conservation Area Located in Smithfield RI, Connors Farm is a 2.9 mile loop trail that passes by cranberry bogs, small brooks and ponds and features a picnic area at the top of a look-out spot. It’s a beautiful rocky terrain, with ups and downs – there is some uphill traversing on rocks. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Friday, May 5, 6:30pm: Full Moon Hike at Mowry Commons Hike with us from the Revive the Roots Farm to Mowry Conservation Area and back to eat some wood fired pizza and view the full moon on the property of this working farm. This hike will take about 1 hour and will end at sunset. Extra fee included for pizza supplies! Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Saturday, May 20, 10am: Hike Sprague Farm in Glocester Join the WRWC for a pleasant, 2-hour hike at Sprague Farm in Glocester and take in the beautiful fall colors. Consisting of nearly 1,200 acres of forest, Sprague Farm has several miles of foot paths created by the Glocester Land Trust. Most trails have a gentle slope and visit scenic ledge vistas. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Thursday, May 25, 5:30pm: Wild Edibles of the Woonasquatucket Greenway Join Iris Weaver, Bioregional Herbalist and Foraging Instructor, on a ramble along a section of the Woonasquatucket Greenway at Merino Park in Providence to learn about over a dozen species of edible wild plants. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Saturday, June 30, 5:00pm: Paddle Downtown Providence/Tour of New Promenade/Kinsley Plans In downtown Providence, explore a beautiful stretch of hidden wilderness from the water. We’ll be joined by Lisa Aurecchia, WRWC’s Director of Projects, who will talk about the big plans for this storied stretch of the Woonasquatucket River and bike path. We will start at the boat launch on South Water Street and travel through bustling downtown Providence, through Waterplace Park and up to Eagle Square. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Wednesday, July 12, 6:00pm: Olivia’s Forest This is a short, 0.7 mile hike, but it is delightful and has some tricky spots to traverse. Get ready to enjoy the serenity of this quiet, peaceful, lovely path. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
POSTPONED: Paddle and Swim at Georgiaville Pond Cool off and unwind on this early evening paddle on Georgiaville Pond in Smithfield. We’ll launch from the historic Smith-Appleby House and make our way to the town beach, where participants are invited to take a refreshing swim or a short hike to the Georgiaville Pond dam. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Friday, August 4, 6:00pm: Stump Pond Paddle Come join us on an exploration of one of the Woonasquatucket’s largest and least developed reservoirs. The Woonasquatucket Reservoir (otherwise known as Stump Pond) sits near the headwaters of the Woonasquatucket River and is home to a variety of different species including Little Green Herons, Great Blue Herons, Box Turtles and many types of fish. This relaxing two-and-a-half mile paddle will begin and end at the boat launch on the west side of the reservoir and will take about two hours passing by lovely homes, small islands, and secluded woods. Register here.
Friday August 11, 4:30pm: Paddle Downtown Providence This Summer, explore a beautiful stretch of hidden wilderness from the water. We will start at the boat launch on South Water St. and travel through bustling downtown Providence, through Waterplace Park and up to Eagle Square. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Wednesday, August 23, 6:00pm: Paddle Stillwater Pond This paddle takes us through the “narrows of the Woonasquatucket,” under the historic Smithfield Viaduct and up towards the dam at Stillwater Reservoir. This is a beautiful and serene paddle. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Sunday, September 10, 12:00pm: Paddle Curran Reservoir Join us for a brand new paddle on the lower part of the Woonasquatucket Reservoir, an old favorite. We’ll launch from the Smithfield Conservation Center, the site of some exciting new plans in partnership with the WRWC’s education program. Amanda Peavey, Director of Education Programs will join us to talk more about what’s to come! Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Sunday, September 17, 9:00am: Downtown Paddle Join us for a crisp Sunday morning paddle on this beautiful stretch of hidden wilderness, the lower Woonasquatucket River. We’ll start at the boat launch on South Water St. and travel through bustling downtown Providence, through Waterplace Park and up to Eagle Square. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Saturday, September 23, 10:00am: Bike to Dame Farm for Apple Picking Join the WRWC as we take a pleasant, 7-mile bike ride to Dame Farm in Johnston for some classic autumn apple picking. We’ll have a support vehicle for you and your apples, if you need it! More information here. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Saturday, October 7, 10:00am: Latham Brook Preserve Hike Join us for a brand new hike in Smithfield. The Latham Brook Preserve trail is being blazed this Spring and we’ll explore this 125 acre property with volunteers from the Smithfield Land Trust, who recently acquired this land. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
For more details and to register, visit WRWC.ORG/EVENTS.
Check out all of our events!Summer Community Paddle Series
We are grateful to our WRWC Summer Community Paddle Series sponsors:
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Launched in 2020, the WRWC’s Summer Community Paddle series shares the joy of a paddle on the Woonasquatucket River with 300+ central Providence riverfront residents. From June 29 to September 14, we offer this free weekly paddle series every Thursday from 4:00-600 pm in Providence’s popular Riverside Park. Our experienced paddle guides offer 10-15 minute paddle tours of the stretch of river that runs through Riverside Park. These paddle experiences are not for experienced paddlers–check out our longer paddle trips if you want more!
Our guided paddles transform participants’ perspectives, offering a first-time experience on the Woonasquatucket that strengthens connections to the river and the Greenway and engages the next generation of environmental stewards and leaders. Spanish- and English-speaking staff and volunteers make the paddle series accessible to all participants.
We welcome sponsors for the Summer Community Paddle series. Your sponsorship supports our experienced recreation staff, on-site Spanish/English interpretation and engagement, and banners/neighborhood signage promoting the paddle series. Benefits include repeated exposure to our 5,000+ member email list, social media spotlights, name/logo placement on banners and other promotional materials, and onsite tabling for face-to-face engagement.
Sponsorship levels
Level 1: $5,000+
- Name/logo placement on signage during event
- Name/logo placement on WRWC website
- Name/logo placement on 20+ WRWC recreation promotional emails
- Thanks and acknowledgement in WRWC social media
- Name/logo placement on promotional banners and signage
- Opportunity to share company information onsite during paddle events
Level 2: $2,500-$4,999
- Name/logo placement on signage during event
- Name/logo placement on WRWC website
- Name/logo placement on 20+ WRWC recreation promotional emails
- Thanks and acknowledgement in WRWC social media
- Name/logo placement on promotional banners and signage
Level 3: $1,000-$2,499
- Name/logo placement on signage during event
- Name/logo placement on WRWC website
- Name/logo placement on 20+ WRWC recreation promotional emails
- Thanks and acknowledgement in WRWC social media.
To become a 2023 Community Paddle Sponsor, please contact WRWC Development Director Jill Davidson at jdavidson@wrwc.org.
Woony Recreational Guides
Get to know the Woonasquatucket! Below are field guides that explore the layout, history, and wildlife of various areas we explore in our recreational series. Click each guide to view the full document and learn more about the Woonasquatucket River Watershed!
Paddling Trip Guide
Explore the Woonasquatucket! Kayak or canoe alongside our experienced WRWC Paddle Team. The WRWC hosts a sensational series of paddle tours on the Woonasquatucket River each season from June through September. Join one or more of our many guided paddles as we journey from a bustling urban center to an oasis of wildlife on the Woonasquatucket River.
Cool off while you paddle and swim in the beautiful refreshing waters of Georgiaville Pond. Follow the river and pond at Stillwater Pond. Check out one of several downtown Providence paddles, where you’re sure to discover a beautiful Providence you may not know exists! We have something for everyone, no matter your skill level.
- The WRWC provides canoes, kayaks, paddles and life jackets.
- All skill levels welcome.
- Children are welcome, if accompanied by an adult.
- Trips typically last approximately 2 hours, depending on location.
- All participants must wear a life jacket (PFD), even if you bring your own boat.
Common Trips
Lower River: We usually start at the landing on South Water Street and paddle up through Waterplace Park to near Atwells Avenue and then return to the starting point. We go right through downtown Providence on this paddle, but we have seen red-tailed hawks, great blue herons, and many other birds in this stretch of the river. The complete trip is about 4 miles.
Greystone Mill Pond: Greystone Mill Pond, on the border of Johnston, North Providence and Smithfield, is a narrow, winding pond with many twists and turns, and wetlands along the way. We put in at Cricket Park in Johnston and paddle up the pond for about 5/8 mile and then turn around and paddle back to the starting point. We often see ducks, herons and other birds on this paddle.
Georgiaville Pond: This paddle is on scenic and peaceful Georgiaville Pond in Smithfield. We put in at the historic Smith-Appleby House, often get a tour of the house, and make a 2 mile circuit around the pond. This takes us past pretty, pine tree covered islands and a town park. And even get a chance to go for a swim!
Stillwater Pond and Stillwater Trail: This paddle takes us through the “narrows of the Woonasquatucket,” from Stillwater Pond to beneath the historic Smithfield Viaduct. We put in at the historic mill at the outlet of Stillwater Pond and paddle to the dam leading to the Stillwater Reservoir, observing several historically significant sites on the way before returning.
Woonasquatucket Reservoir (Stump Pond): Paddle the largest and one of the least developed reservoirs in the watershed! We put in on the west side of Woonasquatucket Reservoir in Smithfield and paddle from there up to the north end, where the Woonasquatucket flows into the reservoir at Mowry Conservation Area. You might even have the treat of stopping here for a picnic, as we sometimes do on this trip. We then sometimes loop around to the southern end of the reservoir, depending on timing and weather. The paddle is approximately 2 ½ miles long, not including the southern arm. With the southern arm it is about 5 miles in total.