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.

Osamequin Nature Sanctuary offers visitors a place to enjoy a diverse sample of Rhode Island's coastal plant and animal communities along the west shore of the Barrington River's Hundred Acre Cove, Rhode Island's most extensive and pristine inland estuarine system. This system has been noted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to be one of the 50 most important coastal marshes between Long Island and Cape Code. The trail system on the preserve provides many views of the cove as well as the various habitats and environments within the preserve. The trails are all easy and flat and each habitat type is accessible to refuge visitors via the color coded trails. There are two parts to the preserve. What is being described here is the smaller "second bird" trail system. The main trail system, called the "first bird" system, is about 0.7 mile south on Wampanoag Trail, and is listed separately.

Osamequin is named in honor of the Massasoit or "Great Leader" of the Pokanoket Tribe of the Wampanoag Nation. All of Barrington was part of their homeland of Sowams. Massasoit Ousamequin prevented the failure of the Plymouth Colony and negotiated a peace treaty on March 22, 1621 that lasted over 50 years. For more information about the Pokanoket Tribe of the Wampanoag Nation visit the Pokanoket website.

Under the Green Acres program the Town of Barrington acquired the 42 acres of land that are Osamequin Nature Sanctuary and granted permission to the Barrington Garden Club to develop the area as a conservation area. Dedicated in May 1968, the management and maintenance by the Garden Club has continued ever since in cooperation with the Conservation Commission and the Department of Public Works.

There is something to offer in every season. Salt marsh islands in the cove are visible from the shoreline of the refuge - bring your binoculars for bird-watching. Horseshoe crabs lay eggs on the shoreline each spring. You might see a rare diamondback terrapin sunning upon a log or peeking up from the water. The only known nesting population of this terrapin in Rhode Island is at the Rayner Refuge across Hundred Acre Cove which also offers public hiking trails.

To access the 'second bird' part of the preserve by bus use the Route 60 Newport Providence bus. On the Inbound (northbound) bus the stop is known as "Wampanoag Trail Opposite Argyle." On the outbound (southbound) the stop is "Wampanoag Trail Far Side President." The preserve is on the inbound side and since Wampanoag Trail is a divided highway it can be a problem getting to the far side stop since there are no crosswalks or crossing lights and the speed limits in the area are 40-45 mph. Note that both of these bus stops are about 0.15 miles north of the trailhead on Wampanoag Trail.

Barrington Patch web page with information about the preserve including some photographs

Dogs: Yes. Dogs must be leashed and owners must pick up waste.

'Second Bird' Trailhead

Driving Landmarks: From the South take Route 114 North. You will pass Federal Road in Barrington -- the "White Church" (Congregational Church) bridge intersection -- and Walker's Farm, and then about 0.2 mile beyond the turnaround exit for Route 103 to Riverside you will pass the 'first bird' trailhead. Continue for another 0.7 miles to the small parking area on the right for the 'second bird' trailhead.

From the North take Route 114 South to the turnaround exit on the left 0.3 miles south of Argyle Avenue. Take this turnaround, which puts you on Route 114 north. Go 0.15 miles and look for a sign for the small parking area on the right for the 'second bird' trailhead.

Parking: Yes: Parking lot, 6 spaces, no overnight parking

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? No

Coordinates: 41° 46.208' N    71° 19.409' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Acme Maps