Beavertail State Park

Beavertail State Park, at the southern tip of Conanicut Island (the town of Jamestown) in Narragansett Bay, is one of the most geologically spectacular and scenically dramatic parks in New England — a rocky ocean promontory exposing the ancient Beavertail Granite (some of the oldest rocks in Rhode Island, approximately 500 million years old), with sweeping panoramic views of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island Sound and the open Atlantic, the historic Beavertail Lighthouse (the third-oldest lighthouse site in the United States, established 1749), and some of the finest rocky-coast scenery in southern New England.

The park is also one of the finest fall hawk-watch and seabird-watch sites in Rhode Island, with the promontory concentrating migrant raptors in October and providing an elevated vantage point for scanning the offshore waters for migrant seabirds. Beavertail State Park is a treasured natural and geological icon of Rhode Island.

Beavertail State Park offers scenic hiking and walking along the dramatic rocky coastline (some of the finest rocky-coast scenery in southern New England), fall hawk watching at the promontory (sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks, merlins, peregrine falcons and ospreys in October), sea watching from the elevated rocky headland (gannets, scoters, long-tailed ducks, jaegers and other seabirds offshore in fall and winter), fishing from the rocky shore (striped bass and bluefish), exploring the historic lighthouse and the small lighthouse museum (open in season), swimming in the rocky coves (cold but clear water — not a traditional sand beach, but the coves offer swimming for the adventurous), photography (the dramatic rock formations, the lighthouse and the ocean panoramas are exceptional subjects), geology exploration (the exposed Beavertail Granite is fascinating for the non-specialist), and picnicking with panoramic bay views. The geological scenery, the lighthouse and the fall hawk watch are the signature draws.

Fall (September through November) is the finest season — the hawk migration concentrates at the promontory in October (sharp-shinned hawks, merlins, peregrine falcons), and the offshore seabird watching is at its best in October and November (gannets, scoters, jaegers). The fall storm light on the granite and the ocean is dramatically beautiful. Summer is excellent for the lighthouse museum and the coastal walking. Spring is quiet and beautiful (check the lighthouse museum schedule for opening). Fall for the hawk watch and the dramatic coastal scenery, and summer for the lighthouse and the coastal walking, are the highlights.

Beavertail Lighthouse, on the tip of the Beavertail promontory, is one of the most historically significant lighthouses in America — the first lighthouse on the site was established in 1749 (making it the third-oldest lighthouse site in the United States, after Boston Light and Brant Point on Nantucket), guiding ships entering Narragansett Bay and the port of Newport through the treacherous shoals. The original wooden lighthouse was destroyed by the British during the Revolutionary War (1779); the current granite tower was built in 1856 and is still active (automated since 1972). The small lighthouse keeper’s house is now the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum (open seasonally). Beavertail State Park preserves one of the most historically significant lighthouse sites in New England.

Beavertail State Park exposes the Beavertail Granite — one of the oldest rocks in Rhode Island, approximately 500 million years old (late Proterozoic to Cambrian age), part of the Avalon terrane (a geological block that originated as a fragment of Gondwana and was accreted to North America during the Appalachian orogeny). The granite is exposed in spectacular wave-cut platforms and sea cliffs, with the ocean carving the resistant rock into dramatic forms — potholes, sea stacks, wave-cut benches and overhanging ledges. Glacial erratics (boulders dropped by the retreating ice sheet) are scattered across the rocky surface. The Beavertail Granite, the wave erosion and the glacial history created the dramatically sculpted rocky headland.

Beavertail State Park’s rocky ocean promontory is a concentration point for fall hawk migration (merlins, peregrine falcons and sharp-shinned hawks concentrate at the point in October) and a premier seabird-watching vantage point (gannets diving offshore in September and October; scoters, long-tailed ducks and common eiders on the open water in fall and winter; occasional jaegers and phalaropes in fall; alcids — razorbills, common murres — in the water in November). Harbor seals haul out on the rocky shores in winter. The rocky intertidal zone supports a diverse community of mussels, barnacles, periwinkles, green crabs and sea stars.

Beavertail State Park’s rocky intertidal and subtidal zone is one of the most ecologically productive habitats in Narragansett Bay — the exposed granite substrate, the tidal range and the cold, nutrient-rich Rhode Island Sound water create an exceptionally productive intertidal community. The rocky headland’s position at the bay mouth concentrates migrant raptors during fall. The subtidal kelp forests and the exposed rocky intertidal are both important ecological communities of the Rhode Island coast. Protecting the intertidal zone from collecting and damage, and minimizing disturbance to the harbor seals on the haul-out rocks in winter, sustains the ecological value.

Beavertail State Park holds a treasured place among the natural, geological and historical icons of Rhode Island — the finest geological coastal park in the state, one of the most historically significant lighthouse sites in America (the third-oldest lighthouse site in the United States), a premier fall hawk-watch and seabird-watch destination, and a scenically spectacular ocean promontory at the mouth of Narragansett Bay. Its Beavertail Granite, its historic lighthouse, its fall migration and its panoramic ocean views make it exceptional. Beavertail is a cherished natural and cultural icon of Rhode Island.

Beavertail State Park is at the southern tip of Conanicut Island (the town of Jamestown), Rhode Island, accessible from the town of Jamestown via Beavertail Road south (about 5 miles south of the Jamestown village center). Jamestown is accessible from the mainland by the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge (Route 138) from Newport, or the North Road bridge from the North Kingstown/Quonset area. There is no toll on the Jamestown-Newport bridge from the Jamestown side. Jamestown has limited services; Newport has full services just across the bridge. Check RI DEM for parking fees and the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum schedule (open in summer) before visiting.

Rhode Island DEM manages Beavertail State Park. The rocky intertidal zone is the most sensitive habitat — do not collect any intertidal organisms (mussels, periwinkles, sea stars, crabs) from the park (they are protected and essential to the intertidal ecosystem). Harbor seals haul out on the rocky shores in winter — maintain a 150-foot distance from all hauled-out seals (federal law; harassment of marine mammals is a federal offense). The historic lighthouse and grounds should be respected (no graffiti, no damage). Protect the granite surface from vandalism. Pack out all trash.

The rocky wave-cut platform at the ocean edge is extremely slippery with algae (especially after rain or in fog) and subject to wave wash — rogue waves have injured and killed people on similar rocky headlands in New England; never stand or sit at the ocean edge when there is any wave action, and never turn your back on the ocean. The sea stacks and overhanging ledges are tempting to climb but structurally unreliable (loose rock, unstable ledges); do not climb. The parking area near the lighthouse fills to capacity on summer weekends; arrive early. Respect the wave-wash danger, the slippery algae-covered rocks and the unstable sea stacks.

Parking fee in season (RI state parks fee applies). Lighthouse museum open seasonally (check RI DEM for hours and admission). No collecting of intertidal organisms (protected). No fires. No camping. Pets on leash. Harbor seal approach distance: 150 feet minimum (federal law). Fishing from the shore permitted (Rhode Island license required). Pack out all trash. Check RI DEM for current parking fees, lighthouse schedule and rules before visiting.

The town of Jamestown on Conanicut Island (charming small town with the Jamestown Windmill and excellent harbor-view restaurants), Newport (just across the Pell Bridge — the Cliff Walk, the Mansions, the waterfront and Brenton Point State Park), Fort Wetherill State Park (on the east shore of Conanicut Island — sea-kayaking launching point and excellent fishing), Narragansett Pier (south on the mainland — the famous Narragansett Tower and the south-coast beaches), and Narragansett Bay define the region. Beavertail anchors the geological and scenic outdoor experience of Narragansett Bay’s central island, easily combined with Newport for the complete Rhode Island coastal experience.

Visit Beavertail in October on a clear northwest-wind morning for the hawk watch — set up at the parking area near the lighthouse, scan south and west, and count the sharp-shinned hawks and merlins streaming past the point in October (one of the finest hawk-watch experiences in southern New England). Bring a spotting scope for the offshore seabirds (gannets diving 400 yards offshore are dramatic through a scope). Walk the entire rocky perimeter of the Beavertail promontory for the full geological spectacle — the wave-cut granite platforms, the sea stacks and the potholes are extraordinary. Visit the lighthouse museum in summer to understand the 270-year history of this critical Bay navigation landmark.