8 Least-Crowded Towns In Rhode Island To Catch Fall Foliage

Ever since its founding, Rhode Island has always been appreciated for its beauty: the calm sea breeze gusting near the shoreline and the beautiful multi-colored leaves falling gently onto the ground during autumn. Rhode Island is the smallest state in America but still houses more than 1 million people. While it is a beautiful and warm vacation spot for the summer, the state is often overlooked in the fall because of the dropping temperatures, lowering to 68 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of September. Most beaches close after Labor Day, but that is not all the state offers. Take a look at some of the best small and beautiful towns in Rhode Island, away from the big cities, the people, and, more importantly, toward the trees!

Jamestown

Located in Newport County, Jamestown is an adorable coastal town on Conanicut Island. Just west of the city of Newport and overlooking Narragansett Bay, trees and nature adorn Jamestown from head to toe, with places to help accentuate the views and bring you to the wilderness. The Fort Wetherill State Park offers great hiking trails and fishing spots, and pets are allowed so you can be as close to nature as you'd like with your best friends. The Beavertail Museum and Lighthouse can help you learn and admire some of the rich history of Jamestown, with the coast and the lighthouse providing incredible vistas that can't be matched in any other part of the county.

Exeter

Exeter is a slightly larger town in Washington County with many different historic sites and attractions. These sites perfectly encapsulate Rhode Island and take you through the town's natural areas, through historic buildings like the Baptist Church or Exeter Chapel, and through different mills, farms, and houses. There are even many preserved archaeological sites like the Fisherville or Hallville Historic and Archaeological Districts, each with remains of what Exeter used to be like all of those years ago. Exeter is home to Yawgoo Valley, which is the only ski resort in Rhode Island today. While that might not fit fall plans, extend your stay into winter in Exeter.

Glocester

Away from the ocean, Glocester in Providence County is a great town to chill out at all times of the year. Antique lovers will love the selection of antique stores throughout the town, and nature lovers will appreciate the greenery in Pulaski State Park and Recreational Area. Here, visitors and residents can fish during the spring, go for a swim during the summer at Peck Pond, hike and camp throughout the many hiking trails in the cool autumn weather, and ski the slopes during the winter. There is no shortage of activities in Glocester at any time of year, although fall lovers will appreciate the cool weather for hiking and the incredible scenery, along with a lack of mosquitos and bugs, which is perfect for autumn camping!

Foster

The town of Foster in Providence County is culturally rich, with historic districts and many intact buildings from its history. Places like the Capt. George Dorrance House or the Mount Vernon Tavern both hold a lot of cultural significance and are great to visit. Outdoor lovers will enjoy the Clayville Historic District, which is an 81-acre plot of land with many historic buildings and sites, both standing and collapsed. While the historic district is shared between the towns of Foster and Scituate, there is still much to see in just Foster. For those who want to visit the highest point in Rhode Island, you can do so at Jerimoth Hill in Foster, which is a short hiking trail up to the top. 

Little Compton

Another coastal town, the underrated town of Little Compton in Newport County, is one of the smallest towns in Rhode Island, with a population of less than 4,000. Nature parks like the Whitehead Preserve at Dundery Brook is a calm and serene place to see local wildlife and plants, along with ponds and swamps to observe. There is a large boardwalk for people to traverse, making it accessible for children or people with limited mobility. History lovers will enjoy the Little Compton Historical Society, headquartered at the Wilbor House in the town. There are guided tours of the location, and the premises consist of many different farmhouses used throughout the town's history. Even if you stay away from the coast, the historic sites and parks are great during the fall.

West Greenwich

West Greenwich, in Kent County, is home to some of the best wildlife refuges in all of Rhode Island. The Wickaboxet Wildlife and Arcadia Management Areas consist of forest and wetlands, along with protected wildlife. There are woods, wetlands, and wildlife to see for any nature lover coming to West Greenwich. Throughout these wooded areas, there are plenty of rivers to stop and admire, including the Big River and the Flat River. The many leaves floating downstream are truly a sight to behold during autumn. There are also many places to eat and stay, like The Woods Tavern, if you are a fan of pubs. 

Warren

The town of Warren in Bristol County has lots of coastline, but don't let that deter you during the fall! Warren is rich in history, with many legacy buildings from the town's past still standing that you can visit. The George Hail Public Library, Town Hall, and several churches remain in the Warren Waterfront Historic District, making them easy to access. Small sites like the Audubon Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge have plenty of autumn colors to look out for on their trails. Those looking to bike are in for a treat, as the East Bay Bike Path is a 14.5-mile long path with the best of both worlds: greenery and an excellent ocean view.

New Shoreham

There is a reason that New Shoreham is the smallest town in Rhode Island: it is separated from the mainland and out in the Atlantic! A part of Block Island, the long beaches merge into cliff sides and wooded areas, making for incredible views throughout the year. The forests are dotted with hiking and biking trails, so beachgoers or not, there is something for everybody in New Shoreham. The Clayhead Nature Trail has stunning shoreside views in combination with trees and greenery. In addition, there are two lighthouses, the Block Island North and Southeast lighthouses, which both have incredible views only accessible during the summer. There are weekend tours in the North lighthouse on weekends from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, so fall lovers might be able to catch a view on the brink of autumn.

Rhode Island itself is not a very large state in terms of population, only having a little more than 1 million people as of 2021. While there are cities, there are many places to stop and appreciate nature. Autumn is one of the best times to visit the state, especially with so many different activities and parks, recreation areas, hiking trails, and historic sites. All of these places are easy to visit since Rhode Island is a very small state at only 48 miles long. In less than an hour of driving, you could be anywhere in the state, so everything is relatively close to each other. As the leaves start falling and the temperatures drop, grab your favorite jacket and get out there!