When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool and windy, with fog common off the bay. Highs in the 50s to low 60s F.
Pack Wind shell, layers, and sun protection for open rocky headlands.
Summer
75-85F
Warm and breezy, with highs 75 to 85 F and afternoon sea breezes keeping the coast pleasant.
Pack Sun protection, water, and closed-toe shoes for rocky shoreline scrambling.
Fall
Mild and often clearer than summer, with highs dropping to the 60s by October. Excellent light for photography.
Pack Light jacket and a camera. Lighthouse museum closes for the season in October.
Winter
30-45F
Cold and raw, with strong Atlantic winds and occasional storms. Highs 30 to 45 F.
Pack Full wind and rain protection. Trail surfaces may be icy on exposed rock.
Top things to do
Beavertail Lighthouse and Museum
One of the oldest lighthouse sites in the U.S., established 1749. The museum inside the keeper's building is free and open seasonally (typically Memorial Day through Columbus Day). Views of Narragansett Bay from the light are panoramic.
Rocky Shoreline Scramble
The park's worn coastal paths trace the southern point of Conanicut Island over fractured schist and gneiss outcrops, with surf crashing below. Outstanding for striper and bluefish fishing from the rocks.
Tidal Pool and Birding Circuit
The headlands at the southern tip attract migrating shorebirds and raptors in fall. Tidal pools at low tide hold sea urchins, hermit crabs, and sculpin. A favorite for wildlife photographers.
Anchor the day around Beavertail Lighthouse and Museum
Put the access rule first: shuttle, parking, timed-entry, or reservation windows should decide the order of the day. For one day in Beavertail State Park, make Beavertail Lighthouse and Museum the non-negotiable, add Rocky Shoreline Scramble only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Tidal Pool and Birding Circuit as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Beavertail Lighthouse and Museum: One of the oldest lighthouse sites in the U.S., established 1749. The museum inside the keeper's building is free and open seasonally (typically Memorial Day through.
- 2Add Rocky Shoreline Scramble: The park's worn coastal paths trace the southern point of Conanicut Island over fractured schist and gneiss outcrops, with surf crashing below. Outstanding for.
- 3Use Tidal Pool and Birding Circuit as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Beavertail's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
2 quick tools, already seeded for Beavertail State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Beavertail State Park packing list
0 of 15 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Beavertail State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- Season checkLayers for conditionsMoisture-wicking base layers, Rain jacket, Insulated jacket, 1 more
Checklist mode
15 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Beavertail
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Beavertail
The buying guides that match what Beavertail asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
There is no camping at Beavertail State Park. The nearest state park camping is at Fishermen's Memorial State Park in Narragansett, about 10 miles south, which has electric and water hookup sites reservable through the Rhode Island state parks system. Newport and Jamestown both offer hotels, inns, and vacation rentals within easy driving distance of the park.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
No camping at Beavertail. Book at Fishermen's Memorial State Park or Burlingame for the closest RI state camping.
Beavertail is a day-use-only park with no overnight facilities. The closest Rhode Island state park campground is Fishermen's Memorial in Narragansett, about 10 miles to the south, with full-hookup RV sites and electric-only tent sites.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Rhode Island state park campgrounds book through the RI DEM reservation system. Summer sites at Fishermen's Memorial and Burlingame fill quickly and can be reserved up to several months in advance. Check the RI Parks website for the current booking window.
- Beavertail State Park has no campground and no overnight stays permitted.
- Fishermen's Memorial State Park in Narragansett is the closest state-managed option with electric and full-hookup sites; nightly rates vary by hookup type and residency.
- Burlingame State Park in Charlestown offers a large campground with more than 750 sites in a wooded setting about 25 miles southwest of Beavertail.
- Private campgrounds in the Newport County area fill quickly in July and August; book well in advance for peak-season weekends.
Where to book or verify
Official RI DEM portal for Fishermen's Memorial, Burlingame, and other state campgrounds.
Day-use info, conditions, and contact for the park.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Fishermen's Memorial State Park Campground
Details- Booking
- Reservable months in advance through RI DEM; summer weekends fill fast.
- Season
- Open spring through fall.
- Sites
- Electric-only and full-hookup RV sites; tent sites available.
- About 10 miles south of Beavertail in Narragansett. Closest state campground to the park.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the handoff from arrival to shuttle.
Parking, pedestrian entrances, and shuttle timing decide how calmly the first morning starts.
Getting there
Get to Beavertail State Park, then remove the first-morning friction.
- Access rhythm
- Car required
- Region
- Rhode Island
Arrival note
Beavertail is at the southern tip of Conanicut Island in Jamestown, reached by crossing the Jamestown-Verrazzano Bridge from the mainland (Route 138) or the Pell Bridge from Newport.
Car strategy
From the bridge intersection on Conanicut Island, follow Beavertail Road south about 4 miles to the park.
Car strategy
There is no public transit to the park, so a car is required.
Pair this with lodging: sleep where the park transfer is simple, especially if your route needs an early start.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
Unusually for a US state, Rhode Island asks all productions, including still photography projects, to register with the state Film & TV Office; state parks add a professional photography permit.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Legal under FAA rules; commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: photographing people and property visible from public space is legal in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee to enter Beavertail State Park?
No. Beavertail State Park has no day-use admission fee and no parking fee. The lot is first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends as parking fills by mid-morning.
When is the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum open?
The museum is typically open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend. Hours vary by season; check with the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association at beavertaillight.org for the current schedule.
Is fishing allowed at Beavertail State Park?
Yes. Saltwater fishing from the rocky shoreline is one of the park's main draws, with striped bass and bluefish the primary targets in season. A Rhode Island saltwater fishing license is required for anglers 15 and older.
Can I swim at Beavertail?
There is no guarded swimming beach at Beavertail. The shoreline is rocky and the surf can be strong. Visitors wade or sit near the water's edge, but the park is not a designated swimming destination.