Colt State Park —
Your Complete Guide
464 acres of lawns and shoreline on Narragansett Bay, free to enter, with paved bayside paths, a fishing pier and the East Bay Bike Path.
What is Colt State Park?
Colt State Park is a 464-acre Rhode Island state park on Narragansett Bay in Bristol, built on Samuel P. Colt's old waterfront farm. Entry and parking are free, it is open sunrise to sunset every day of the year, and it has four miles of paved paths, an accessible fishing pier, a boat ramp, picnic groves and the East Bay Bike Path running through it.
RI DEM calls Colt the "Gem" of the state park system. The whole western border of the park is shoreline, and the land between is open lawn crossed by historic stone walls and curving drives. Colt began buying the farms on Poppasquash Neck in 1905; the state bought the estate in 1965 and Governor John H. Chafee dedicated the park in 1968 (history).
For picnics, plan ahead: from the second Saturday in April through October 31, state rules require a permit to use a picnic table at Colt ($5 per day), and the 51 picnic sites and 3 shelters are booked through the park office (how to reserve). The rest of the year, tables are first come, first served. Dogs are welcome on a leash of six feet or less (dog rules).
Colt State Park at a Glance
What to Do at Colt State Park
DEM lists bicycling, hiking, stroller-friendly paths, rollerblading, birding, saltwater fishing, paddling, walking and running, picnicking and weddings.
Walking & Biking
Four miles of paved paths beside the bay, good for walking, running, strollers and rollerblades, with the East Bay Bike Path running into the park.
Paths & Trails →
Fishing & Boating
An accessible saltwater fishing pier, a state concrete boat ramp (4 feet at mean low tide) and a canoe and kayak launch on Narragansett Bay.
Pier, Ramp & License →
Picnics
51 multi-table picnic sites and 3 covered shelters, many with water views. Permits are required from April to October.
Reserve a Table →
Weddings
The open-air Chapel by the Sea is set aside for vows and ceremonies: $50 for 3 hours or $100 for 6 hours.
Chapel by the Sea →
Dogs
DEM lists Colt as pet-friendly. Keep dogs on a leash of six feet or less, and note that Bristol Town Beach next door bans them.
Dog Rules →Winter
DEM says winter snow brings a rare seaside chance to cross-country ski and snowshoe. The park stays open all year.
Winter Routes →Paths at Colt
Distances from RI DEM. Both routes are paved; RIDOT says the bike path is mostly flat, with one large hill in East Providence.
Loops around the lawns and along the bay; DEM lists stroller-friendly paths and rollerblading.
Former rail line from Bristol to Providence, through eight parks; it crosses Colt by the entrance.
How to Get to Colt State Park
One entrance off Hope Street (Route 114), free lots throughout the park.
Entrance
Hope Street (Route 114), Bristol, RI 02809. Traffic circle in the north-east corner. Parking guide.
By Bike
The East Bay Bike Path crosses the park by the entrance. Bike path guide.
Park Office
RI DEM, inside the park at the south end of Area 2. Phone (401) 253-7482.
Distance From Providence and Nearby Cities
| From | Miles | Drive (typical, no traffic) |
|---|---|---|
| Providence | 16 | 28 min |
| Worcester | 56 | 1 hr 15 min |
| Boston | 61 | 1 hr 24 min |
Each drive ends at the park entrance circle off Asylum Road, next to the Area 3 lot. Road distance and drive time from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), checked November 6, 2026. Drive times are typical, with no traffic.
Turn-by-turn from each cityNext Door and Nearby
Coggeshall Farm Museum, a 1790s salt-marsh farm, sits inside the old Colt estate, and the Town of Bristol's beach and sports complex is next door on Asylum Road. A short drive away are Blithewold's gardens, the Herreshoff Marine Museum, Linden Place, the Mount Hope Bridge and the route of America's oldest Fourth of July parade. See things to do in Bristol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colt State Park free?
Yes. RI DEM's map says "No Fee for Entry," and parking is free. The only charges are for reserved picnic tables ($5 per day), shelters, fields and the Chapel by the Sea, from the second Saturday in April to October 31.
Where is Colt State Park?
Colt State Park is on Hope Street (Route 114) in Bristol, Rhode Island, on Poppasquash Neck between Narragansett Bay and Bristol Harbor. The entrance is in the north-east corner of the park, near Asylum Road and the East Bay Bike Path.
Can you swim at Colt State Park?
RI DEM does not list swimming or a lifeguarded beach at Colt State Park, and state rules allow swimming only in designated areas. The nearest place to swim is Bristol Town Beach next door, run by the Town of Bristol, which charges for parking in summer.
Are dogs allowed at Colt State Park?
Yes. DEM lists Colt as pet-friendly. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under control at all times, and owners must clean up after them.
What are the hours at Colt State Park?
Sunrise to sunset, every day of the year. DEM's map says the park is open year round, and state rules do not allow anyone in a state park between sunset and sunrise without permission.
Can you camp at Colt State Park?
No. Colt is a day-use park that closes at sunset, and DEM lists no campsites there. Rhode Island's state campgrounds are elsewhere in the state.
How big is Colt State Park?
DEM gives the park as 464 acres of lawns, stone walls and shoreline, with four miles of paved paths.