When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
55-65F
Mild and green, with apple and cherry trees blooming in the orchard. Highs 55 to 65 F by May.
Pack Light layers and a bike lock for the paved paths.
Summer
80-85F
Warm with sea breezes off the bay, highs 80 to 85 F. Afternoon crowds on weekends.
Pack Sun protection, plenty of water, and a picnic cooler. Arrive early to claim a table.
Fall
55-65F
Crisp and colorful, with the orchard and surrounding trees turning in October. Highs 55 to 65 F.
Pack A layer for the breeze off the bay and a camera for the orchard color.
Winter
30-40F
Cold and quiet, with winds off the bay and highs 30 to 40 F. The paths are open year-round.
Pack Wind layer and warm base. Watch for ice on shaded paved sections.
Top things to do
Narragansett Bay Waterfront Loop
Four miles of paved, flat paths hug the western Bristol shoreline with unobstructed water views toward Prudence Island. The most popular cycling and walking route in the park, suitable for all ages and road bikes.
Historic Colt Orchards
The apple, pear, and cherry orchards planted by the Colt family survive at the north end of the park, blooming spectacularly in May and offering a bucolic counterpoint to the bay views.
Mill Gut Brook Fishing
A small freshwater stream at the park's interior is stocked with trout. Saltwater anglers also work the rocky bay shoreline for stripers and bluefish in season.
Anchor the day around Narragansett Bay Waterfront Loop
Put the access rule first: shuttle, parking, timed-entry, or reservation windows should decide the order of the day. For one day in Colt State Park, make Narragansett Bay Waterfront Loop the non-negotiable, add Historic Colt Orchards only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Mill Gut Brook Fishing as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Narragansett Bay Waterfront Loop: Four miles of paved, flat paths hug the western Bristol shoreline with unobstructed water views toward Prudence Island. The most popular cycling and walking route in.
- 2Add Historic Colt Orchards: The apple, pear, and cherry orchards planted by the Colt family survive at the north end of the park, blooming spectacularly in May and offering a bucolic.
- 3Use Mill Gut Brook Fishing as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Colt'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 Colt 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
Colt State Park packing list
0 of 14 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Colt 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, Insulated jacket, Traction devices for ice
Checklist mode
14 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 Colt
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 Colt
The buying guides that match what Colt asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Colt State Park has no camping. The nearest state campground is Fishermen's Memorial in Narragansett, about 15 miles south. Bristol itself has a handful of inns and vacation rentals, and Providence is about 20 miles north with a full range of hotels.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Day-use only. No camping at Colt State Park.
Colt State Park is a day-use park with no overnight facilities. For Rhode Island state park camping near Bristol, book Fishermen's Memorial in Narragansett or Burlingame in Charlestown through the RI DEM reservation system.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Rhode Island state park campgrounds are reservable through the RI DEM system. Summer weekends fill early. Check riparks.ri.gov for the current booking window.
- No camping is available at Colt State Park itself.
- Pavilion and picnic shelter reservations at Colt are required from the second Saturday in April through October 31 and carry a rental fee. Open lawn areas remain free.
- Fishermen's Memorial State Park in Narragansett and Burlingame State Park in Charlestown are the closest RI state camping options, each about 15 to 25 miles away.
- Private campgrounds in the East Bay area exist but are limited; verify availability before planning a multi-night stay near Bristol.
Where to book or verify
Official RI DEM portal for nearby state campgrounds.
Day-use information, pavilion reservations, and park contact.
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 well in advance through RI DEM; summer sites fill fast.
- Season
- Spring through fall.
- Sites
- Electric-only and full-hookup RV sites; tent sites.
- About 15 miles south of Colt in Narragansett. Closest RI state campground.
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 Colt State Park, then remove the first-morning friction.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Rhode Island
Arrival note
Colt State Park is located at the western edge of Bristol, Rhode Island, off Hope Street (Route 114).
Car strategy
From Providence, take Route 114 south about 20 miles through Warren and into Bristol, then follow the signs to the park entrance.
Local movement
From Newport, cross the Pell Bridge and take Route 138 to Route 114 north, about 15 miles total.
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 Colt State Park?
No day-use admission fee. Parking is free. Pavilion and picnic shelter reservations require a rental fee from mid-April through October; open lawns are free to use without a reservation.
Can I bring my bike to Colt State Park?
Yes, bicycling is one of the park's main activities. Four miles of flat paved paths run along the Narragansett Bay shoreline and are well-suited to road bikes, cruisers, and kids' bikes.
Is swimming allowed at Colt State Park?
There is no guarded beach or designated swimming area at Colt. The shoreline is partially rocky. Most visitors use the park for cycling, picnicking, and fishing rather than swimming.
Are dogs allowed at Colt State Park?
Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the paths and open areas. Clean up after your pet and keep dogs leashed at all times per RI state park rules.