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Neutaconkanut Hill Park

Providence, City of Providence

3.8 miles of trail

Difficult

Close

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

See what other people have said

This urban park is often simply referred to as 'the Hill' and for good reason. While the portion of the park at lower elevations is dedicated to ball fields, a track, a recreation center, and other similar facilities -- it's the acres of forested land behind and up from those fields that make this park a special place to walk. Hikers should be prepared for a steep walk uphill –- especially on the Pond Trail-- to get to the forested areas of the park where trails are much more gradual and easy to traverse.

For those interested in a guided introduction to the park, the Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy hosts walks every first Saturday of the month, weather permitting. The group meets at the 120 Killingly Street parking lot, in front of the Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy kiosk, at 10am. Learn more on the the Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy website.

Once a highly landscaped park, with elaborate stone-lined trails, a bandstand, and other features reminiscent of Roger Williams Park, Neutaconkanut Hill was nearly abandoned in the 1970's, except for the playground, ball fields, and rec center in the lower area. In the 2000's the forested part of the park was explored, mapped and cleaned up, and new trails were built by the Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy, with assistance in the early years from the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, to once again make this lovely hill accessible to hikers. Hidden in the woods throughout the park are many remnants of its history.

The Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy manages the wooded part of the park in partnership with the Providence Parks and Recreation Department.

Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy

Dogs: Yes. Must be kept on leash at all times; dog owners must pick up waste.

Other Amenities: There are ball fields, a track, a playground, a skateboard park, and a basketball court at the park, as well as a rec center, typically open from 9am to 5pm. There are restrooms at the rec center.

Creature Challenge

This is a Creature Challenge site. The creature is on the Blueberry Trail *** NOTE: This creature has been vandalized and the QR Code broken off. We are working on repairing/replacing it..
Learn more about the Creature Challenge.

Getting There:

Neutaconkanut Rec Center on Plainfield Street 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: There is a parking lot off Plainfield Street, beside the Rec Center, at 675 Plainfield Street.

Parking: Yes: Parking lot, 80 spaces, no overnight parking

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? Yes

Coordinates: 41° 48.67' N    71° 27.731' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Acme Maps


Killingly Street Parking Lot 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: This parking lot is off Killingly Street, at 120 Killingly Street, about 1/4 mile west of the junction with Plainfield Street.

Parking: Yes: Parking lot, 45 spaces, no overnight parking

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? Yes

Coordinates: 41° 48.821' N    71° 27.762' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Acme Maps


Yes. The RIPTA Route 19 bus stops across the street from the Neutaconkanut Park Rec Center at 675 Plainfield Avenue

The Woonasquatucket River Greenway is about a mile north of Neutaconkanut Hill


 

QR Code broken off

Submitted by: Julie Piekarski; July 30, 2022; 8:01 am

Beautiful and perfectly challenging trail. Very sad to see that the blueberries had their QR code broken off.

Rating:

starstarstarstarstar

Nice hike but be careful

Submitted by: Anonymous; October 30, 2019; 7:47 pm

Don't want to scare anyone and I never felt unsafe but by the Killingly lot map sign today there was an empty liquor bottle and a large chef's knife. I took a plastic cup from the ground and scooped it up to trash it. It wasn't bloodstained or anything. Actually was in good shape. Oh well, almost Halloween--maybe someone just trying to scare people. Luckily only noticed on way out so wasn't worried at all on the hike, when nary a soul was encountered.

Rating:

starstarstarstar

Great Hiking and Views

Submitted by: Susan F.; October 29, 2018; 1:37 pm

Neutaconkanut Hill on top of the park is a great place to hike a wooded forest among the urban sprawl of the City of Providence. The upper trails are maintained by an all volunteer staff who work hard to keep the trails and view as visible and easy to hike. The colors of Fall are ready now and October is fantastic to see them.
NHC has a great Fall Event every year for families and friends with guided hikes and activities.

Rating:

starstarstarstarstar

A hidden Gem Neutaconkanut Hill NUET HILL Woodlands

Submitted by: Rob Stevens; October 29, 2018; 11:46 am

I have walked this area for many years. I have seen it change from hidden woodland wonder to an unsafe dump and back again to a beautiful place of nature where all can enjoy. They have nice clear trails, boardwalks and overlooks to the city and to the tops of the mount Hope and Newport bridge. It is a great place to for a walk, hike or to watch the stars.

The Conservancy made up of only volunteers and no paid staff has done a great job. They all love the hill so much and all seem to have their own story of why the Woodlands are so dear to their hearts. I give Kudos for them for never giving up and turning this place around. You must go for a monthly walk it is awesome and it is right around the corner hidden in the Silver lake area on the Westerly border of Providence. Please help the conservancy to keep the hill a place for many generations to use.

Rating:

starstarstarstarstar

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This site report was last updated on September 21, 2023

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