Long Pond

41° 30.386' N    71° 45.895' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

This is a site for launching hand-carried boats such as canoes or kayaks.

Description & Overview:

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The Long Pond/Ell Pond area is one of the natural treasures of Rhode Island so please treat this area gently to preserve its natural beauty. This area is the only designated National Natural Landmark in Rhode Island. High, rocky cliffs overlook Long Pond, the woods are filled with rhododendrons which bloom in early June, and the forest contains some of the largest Eastern hemlock trees in the state. The south shore of the east end of Long Pond is state land. The west end of the pond is in the Audubon Society of Rhode Island's Long Pond Woods Preserve. There are some houses along the north shore of the pond.

The Nature Conservancy also owns land in the area, around Ell Pond, which is west of Long Pond. The trails in the area specifically do not go to the actual shoreline of Ell Pond to protect this fragile and special pond, so please do not try to take a canoe or kayak to Ell Pond.

There is no regular canoe/kayak launch on Long Pond but if you want to paddle here, park at the Long Pond parking area and then carry your boat 150 feet down along the road to the end of the pond where there is a small bit of gravel shoreline next to the road. Once on the water you will have to snake through a short, narrow passage to get to the main body of the pond. From there, the east end of the pond is narrow and shallow. As you head west, the pond gets wider and deeper. It is 0.6 miles to the far end of the pond where there are a number of small coves you can poke into.

This site provides access to the following water bodies in the Pawcatuck River watershed: Long Pond.

Location:

Town: Hopkinton

Nearest Town Center: Hope Valley

Driving Landmarks: From I-95 north or south take Exit 2. If coming from the south (from CT), turn left at the end of the ramp. If coming from the north (Providence) turn right at the end of the ramp. Go about 1/4 mile to the T-junction with Route 3 and turn left. Go 0.6 miles south on Route 3 and turn right onto Canonchet Road. Go 2.2 miles up Canonchet Road (bearing right at the junction with Stubtown Road) and look for a gravel parking area on the left labeled "Long Pond," just as the road is making a sharp bend to the right.

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: pond

Note: Because one boat launch can access, say, both a lake and a river or both the upstream and downstream portions of a river, not all paddling trips at a given site will necessarily encounter all of the features listed.

Type of Access: Boat launch for hand carried boats

ADA Accessible Boat Launch? no

Shoreline: sand and gravel

Float/Dock: no

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 150 feet

Hours of Operation: Closed 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise

Parking:

Parking: yes: 7 spaces

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? no

Nearby Amenities:

Public Restrooms: No

Sources for More Information:

Website: Audubon Society of Rhode Island's web page for their Long Pond Woods Preserve

Website: The Nature Conservancy's web page for their Ell/Long Pond Preserve

Ecological, Cultural & Recreational Attractions:

A strenuous trail system leaves from the parking area and takes you past the ponds. This is part of the Appalachian Mountain Club's Narragansett Trail, which continues south and east from Long Pond to Ashville Pond, and north from Ell Pond to Yawgoog Pond and beyond. Other trails connect to this trail, creating a larger network.

Comments:

Long pond access from Canonchet Rd has completely dried up

Submitted by: Cindy P; August 14, 2022; 6:45 pm

There is no way to access Long Pond without hiking a difficult trail that would be impossible with a kayak. The long narrow section I’d completely dried up. Vegetation has filled in almost all of the part referenced above as access point. Looks like a beautiful pond but unfortunately not for paddlers

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