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.

The trailhead opens to a mowed field and then the trail negotiates cornfields before entering the woods. Most of the three miles of paths east of Tomaquag Brook, including the peninsula between Tomaquag Brook and the Pawcatuck River, are along old cart paths and are relatively flat. A nice stone bridge crosses Wine Bottle Brook, a tributary to Tomaquag Brook. There is an Atlantic White Cedar swamp in this low crossing area with hardwoods and pines predominating along most of the trails. The Tomaquag Brook Bridge opened November 2013 and completes the link between the Chase Hill Road and Bowling Lane Trailheads. The one mile of trail west of Tomaquag Brook and linking up to Polly Coon Bridge over the Pawcatuck River crosses a more varied wooded terrain with numerous large high rock overlooks interspersed with wooded swamps. The historic Polly Coon Bridge provided a route to move granite across the river to the rail siding in Bradford. Floods destroyed the bridge; it was elevated but was lost in another flood. The new pedestrian bridge uses the old stone abutments and will provide access to five miles of trails in the Westerly Land Trust's Grills Preserve and to their trailhead at the end of Bowling Lane.

Dogs: Yes. Must be under control or on leash. Waste pick up required.

Bicycles: Yes. Must stay on marked trails.

Other Amenities: There is a canoe/kayak launch on Tomaquag Brook, near the parking area. Good fishing may be found in the rivers and streams in the preserve. There are benches at a few places along the trails in the preserve.

This is a Creature Challenge site. The creature is on the Tomaquag Trail (White Diamond).
Learn more about the Creature Challenge.

Grills Preserve Hopkinton Trailhead

Driving Landmarks: Heading north on RI Route 216 (Ashaway Road) from the junction with RI Route 91, go 0.8 miles to the "triangle" junction with Chase Hill Road. When 216 bends to the north (right) at the triangle, bear left to continue onto Chase Hill Road. Go a couple hundred feet and look for the parking area and trailhead kiosk on the left.

Heading south on RI Route 216 (Ashaway Road) from the junction with RI Route 3, go 1.5 miles to the "triangle" junction with Chase Hill Road. When 216 bends to the east (left) at the triangle, bear right to continue towards Chase Hill Road. Turn left onto Chase Hill Road and look for the parking area and trailhead kiosk on the right.

Parking: Yes: Parking lot, 12 spaces, no overnight parking

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? No

Coordinates: 41° 24.647' N    71° 45.81' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Acme Maps