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Oakland Forest & Meadow Preserve

Portsmouth, Aquidneck Land Trust

0.6 miles of trail

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Very Easy

Trails that are smooth and relatively level with no steps, no roots, stones or uneven ground. These may be paved, crushed stone, continuous boardwalk and similar surfaces. These trails have a route that is quite obvious such as a single point to point trail or an easy loop or network of trails.

Easy

Relatively flat and smooth trails with a route that is quite obvious such as a single point to point trail or an easy loop or network of trails.

Moderate

May have a few hills or steep sections and multiple surface types including rocks and roots. Trails are generally well-marked but following them requires a trail map.

Difficult

Strenuous trails, trail systems that mostly involve multi-mile loops and trails that are narrow and may have obstacles such as stream crossings or rocky areas, some trails are less well marked.

Click on the "Trail Map (PDF)" button to download a PDF of the trail map that you can print and take with you on the trail.

Avenza maps are special, free maps that you can use in the Avenza app on your smart phone. These maps let you see your location on the map as you walk. Download the Avenza App for free in the Apple App Store or on Google Play

Click on the Avenza Trail Map button to "purchase" the free map for this trail from the Avenza map store. If this is your first time, Avenza will ask you to set up an account to check out. However, all Avenza trail maps listed on ExploreRI are free.

In Rhode Island the primary hunting seasons typically run from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and from the third Saturday in April to the last day in May, however this can vary from year to year and depends on what game is being hunted. During hunting season you should wear at least 200 square inches (a hat OR a vest) of blaze orange. During shotgun deer season, which is typically in December, you should wear at least 500 square inches of blaze orange (a hat AND a vest). For more information see the RI DEM website.

The Trailhead & Parking AreaWalkers Enjoying Oakland Forest

What’s There:

Visitor Rating: starstarstarstarempty star

Based on 2 reviews with ratings

See what other people have said

Oakland Forest & Meadow Preserve was conserved in 2000, a grassroots effort to protect the land, including the old growth beech forest from being developed into condominiums. The trail starts at a small bridge surrounded by pussy willows, crossing over a freshwater wetland. The trail then winds around the edge of the meadow and then crosses over another footbridge into the forest area. Follow the trail left for approximately 0.1 miles. At this point, you can follow the approximately 0.5 mile loop trail in either direction around the heart of the old growth forest, which contains beech and oak trees well over 250 years old. The forest is one of the healthiest examples of remaining old growth American beech (Fagus grandifolia). Though the preserve was never logged, it served as a "gentleman's" farm for generations, passing through the Channing/Gibbs, Vanderbuilt, and Young families. The band of rhododendron that runs through the forest is a remnant planting from one of the former estates. The forest, meadow, wetlands, and ponds onsite support numerous plant and wildlife species, including turkeys, coyotes, passerine birds, hawks, woodpeckers, and waterfowl. The trail may be wet in early spring, and you may encounter ticks and poison ivy, so please dress accordingly.

Aquidneck Land Trust website

Other Amenities: There is a bicycle rack at the trailhead. Remember, bicycles are not allowed on the trails.

Creature Challenge

This is a Creature Challenge site. The creature is on the Loop Trail.
Learn more about the Creature Challenge.

Getting There:

Carriage Drive Trailhead

Google Maps is the mapping system used on the new ExploreRI maps and shows the trailhead located on a terrain view, a street map or an aerial photograph. Clicking on this link will take you to the full Google Maps website, which is not part of ExploreRI.org.
Acme Maps shows the trailhead located on a topographic map. The Acme Maps website is not part of ExploreRI.org.

Driving Landmarks: Turn on to Union St. at the light on East Main Rd. in Portsmouth. Take your first left onto Carriage Drive. The road bends sharply to the right at approximately 0.1 miles. Comtinue to follow Carriage Dr. for approximately 0.4 miles to a small parking lot on your left. The there are several bushes in the parking lot area, and houses on either side. If you reach the end of Carriage Dr., you have gone approximately 0.1 miles too far.

Parking: Yes: Parking lot, 3 spaces, no overnight parking

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? No

Coordinates: 41° 33.41' N    71° 15.815' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Acme Maps


Take Bus 60 to Union Street in Portsmouth. Walk northwest on Union Street toward Carriage Drive. Turn Left on Carriage Drive. The road bends sharply to the right at approximately 0.1 miles. Continue to follow Carriage Dr. for approximately 0.4 miles to a small parking lot on your left. The there are several bushes in the parking lot area, and houses on either side. If you reach the end of Carriage Dr., you have gone approximately 0.1 miles too far. Note: There are not sidewalks on this route.


 

The Magical Trail

Submitted by: Mary ST. ; September 17, 2024; 10:23 am

Beautifully magical with it's gorgeous flowers, butterflies, and wonderfully big mushrooms.

Rating:

starstarstarstar

Photographs:

Photo Credit: Mary ST.

Photo Credit: Mary ST.

Photo Credit: Mary ST.


Pleasant walk

Submitted by: Robb S; August 23, 2024; 5:37 pm

This was a very pleasant walk. Easy terrain fairly well groomed. Watch out for roots!

Rating:

starstarstarstar

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This site report was last updated on September 21, 2023

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