Hike Camp Shepard & Deerfield Park Smithfield, RI

You must be a member of the Rhode Island Hiking Club and be on the Attending List to participate in this event.

Event Rating: Level 2+ (Moderate-Difficult)
(This rating is for distance, longer than a typical Level 2 event)

Distance ~5.5 miles

Time Duration: ~2.5 hours

Blaze Orange: Required

Before signing up for this event, please read and understand the entire Write-Up and the Liability Waiver. By signing up for this event you agree to the terms of the waiver. Please sign-up only if you are sure that you can attend.

COVID-19 Instructions: Do not attend a hike if you or a person that you have been in close contact with have tested positive for COVID-19, or have been experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

Hike Description:
This hike is exploring Camp Shepard, Deerfield Park and their connecting trail. I have not hiked all of the trails we will be using. Time & distance should be taken as estimates.

You can read a blog about hiking in Camp Shepard here: https://trailsandwalksri.wordpress.com/2024/12/30/camp-shepard-smithfield/

Camp Shepard is a former Boy Scouts camp that was purchased by the Town of Smithfield. The property has a loop trail that offers views of Sprague Upper Reservoir, plus additional trails. Deerfield Park is home to a number of athletic fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, and walking trails. Our hike consists of loops on both properties and an out & back on the connecting trails.

There are some small hills, and overall the terrain ranges from easy to moderate. Bring adequate water (1.0 liter min and snacks).

After the hike we could make a lunch stop at a nearby restaurant if there is interest. Location TBD.

Directions to our hike:

From the east/(Providence, RI): Take Route 44 west then turn right onto Route 5 north by the Apple Valley Mall. Bear right when Route 5 and Route 116 merge. Continue for 1.2 miles and turn left onto Log Rd (just after a small plaza). At the intersection with Mann School Road turn left and continue 1.2 miles. At the stop sign (a Y intersection), bear left and continue 0.4 miles till you see a parking lot on your left. There is a an old pavilion nearby. OR follow your GPS directions

Liability Waiver: As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity, you acknowledge and agree to the following: this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or others; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to safely participate in this activity; you know and will follow the Hiker Responsibility Code described at www.hikesafe.com; the leader(s) of this activity are volunteers; and you for yourself, your heirs, executors, and administrators release, hold harmless, and indemnify the leader(s) and all members of this group from all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons. The RIHC will not be held responsible for any COVID-19 issues including but not limited to the transmission of the disease, the cost of medical treatment, and/or death.

Safety First!