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Hunts Mills

East Providence, City of East Providence

0.8 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.

What’s There:

Visitor Rating: starstarstarstar2/3 star

Based on 4 reviews with ratings

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The trail starts near the small parking area by the gazebo just to the right of the Hunt House. The red blazed trail first leads down a small set of stone stairs then winds through an area known as the Terrace Garden. At different times of year there will be different shrubs and flowers in bloom here including mountain laurel. The red blazed trail then turns right into a short section of woods before crossing an access road. The trail then continues straight in the woods meandering slightly downhill toward the Ten Mile River. At the next trail blaze post, the red blazed trail turns to the left. Here on the right is a spot known as Sunset Rock. It tends to be a little overgrown in the summer months, but it offers a good view of the river the rest of the year. Continuing following the red blazed trail will lead you to the next set of trail blaze posts. Again at the river's edge is another spot to view the river. This spot is known as Otter Rock as there have been sightings of otters at this point. When the water levels are low on the river you will find inscriptions from the early 1900's on the rocks. The red blazed trail then leads south passing a chain link fence into the former fire department training area. You will soon see the remnants of the facility including the old fire tower that was used for training and an old tanker. The trail then passes the chain link fence again to the next trail blaze post. Turning right here will lead you to the large grass area behind the Hunt House. In this area behind the house there is a circle of granite blocks. These blocks represent where the carousel of the amusement park once stood. You then walk toward the gate between the house and the large stone building that was once the pump house (built in 1893) for the water department to the final highlight of the hike. The Hunts Mills Dam and waterfall. From here you then follow the road in front of the Hunt House to the point of beginning.

Hiking blog featuring East Providence properties

Dogs: Yes. Dogs must be on leashes and owners must pick up waste.

Other Amenities: The John Hunt House is home to the East Providence Historical Society. The house is open to the public from March to December on the second Sunday of those months.

Creature Challenge

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

Getting There:

Hunts Mills 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: Trailhead is adjacent to a gazebo on the grounds of the historic John Hunt House off of Pleasant Street (RI Route 114 A) in the Rumford section of East Providence. The entrance road is on the right 0.2 miles south of the intersection of Route 114 (Pawtucket Avenue) and Route 114A (Pleasant Street).

Parking: Yes: , 6 spaces, no overnight parking

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? No

Coordinates: 41° 49.697' N    71° 20.753' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Acme Maps


 

Beautiful trail

Submitted by: Anonymous; March 8, 2023; 6:00 pm

My kids and I love coming here for picnics and walks in through the trails

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starstarstarstarstar

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I love this place

Submitted by: Augusto; March 8, 2023; 5:52 pm

The place is awesome because the tp. The duck are cool

Rating:

starstarstarstarstar

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Photo Credit: Augusto


Seasons

Submitted by: AS Kemp ; February 28, 2022; 9:38 am

A great review of our trail at Hunt's Mill... Thanks for visiting!

Rating:

starstarstarstar

Photographs:

Photo Credit: AS Kemp


Beautiful, tranquil short hike !

Submitted by: Anonymous; February 9, 2022; 9:26 pm

Photographs:


Wonderful wooded spot with surprises along the way

Submitted by: RC; January 13, 2022; 5:52 pm

Rating:

starstarstarstarstar

Photographs:

Photo Credit: RC

Photo Credit: RC

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This site report was last updated on September 21, 2023

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