Hike/Social Queens River Preserve

HIKE/SOCIAL: QUEEN RIVER PRESERVE DETAILS: Easy 2 1/4 mile hike in one of Rhode Island's less well-known conservation areas. Then we go out to eat. Get off the couch and join us.

The Queen River Preserve is a 188-acre Nature Conservancy property adjoining the Queen River (aka "Queen's River"), one of Rhode Island's "wild and scenic" rivers. It's named in honor of the last Narragansett sachem, Quaiapen, who was captured and killed in North Smithfield in 1676, ending King Phillip's War. She had previously sought refuge at the Queen's Fort, a few miles north of this preserve.

This preserve was also the site of a "brush" fire (no idea why it wasn't a "forest" fire) that burned 238 acres in the spring of 2023, notable since RI hadn't had any for decades. Nature is making a good comeback so that's an interesting detail for this hike.

The trail follows the old Dawley Road, then heads into the woods for a loop around the property perimeters and the river edge, coming out at the old Dawley cement bridge. We'll walk back on the old town road. There are some moderate ups and downs and roots and some narrower trails surrounded by tall grass. So please wear appropriate hiking shoes. Bring water and bug spray is highly recommended.

DIRECTIONS: From Rt. 2 in Exeter, turn west onto Main Street at the stoplight. (to the east it's called Exeter Road). There are large signs for Zinnea, RI Fire Marshall Explosives and Exeter Job Corps at the corner. You'll pass along the Veterans' Memorial Cemetery on your left. In about ½ mile, continue staying left onto gravel Dawley Road. In about another ½ mile, as Dawley curves to the left and becomes School Land Road, the Preserve entrance sign is straight ahead. There is parking for several cars with ample additional parking along the road.

TIME: We will start promptly at 6:00 PM If your plans change, please change your RSVP as soon as possible so that others on the waitlist can be notified in time to join us. Any cancellation due to weather will be announced by 2 PM.