Dogs at Colt State Park

Yes, dogs are allowed at Colt State Park. RI DEM lists the park as pet-friendly, and Rhode Island's state park rules require every dog to be on a leash no longer than six feet and under its handler's control at all times, with the owner cleaning up after it. Be careful next door: Bristol Town Beach, Coggeshall Farm Museum and the Audubon refuge on Hope Street all ban dogs.

The Leash Rule

Rhode Island's regulation for state parks says domestic animals must be on a leash of not more than six feet and under the control of a handler at all times. That rules out long retractable leads let out past six feet. DEM's camping rules add that e-collars and e-leashes do not count as a leash, and while that line is written for campgrounds, it is the clearest statement of how DEM reads the rule. There is no fenced off-leash area at Colt on DEM's map or park page.

Clean Up After Your Dog

The same rule makes the handler responsible for caring for and supervising the animal, including cleaning up after it. The lawns at Colt are picnic grounds and playing fields, so bring bags and use the trash cans or carry them out.

Where to Walk a Dog at Colt

The four miles of paved paths along the bay are the obvious route; DEM's map shows them looping around the big lawns of Areas 1 and 2 and along the north shore. The paths are shared with walkers, runners, bikes and strollers, so keep your dog on the inside of the path. See walking, biking and trails for routes.

Dogs and the Water

State park rules also say no person may bring an animal onto any state bathing beach from April 1 through September 30, except service animals, and that animals are not allowed inside designated swimming areas. DEM does not list a designated swimming area at Colt, and the leash rule applies on the shore as everywhere else in the park. The rules also prohibit washing animals in any natural body of water on state land.

Wildlife

Rhode Island's rules prohibit feeding wildlife, migratory waterfowl or feral animals in state parks. Keep your dog close and do not let it chase birds on the lawns or along the marsh at Mill Gut.

Next Door: Where Dogs Are Not Allowed

Several places that border Colt or sit on the same stretch of Route 114 have stricter rules than the state park:

• Bristol Town Beach and Sports Complex (Town of Bristol), on Asylum Road beside the park: dogs are not permitted on any sports field, in any picnic or parking area, or on the beach. The town says the rule is strictly enforced. See Bristol Town Beach.
• Coggeshall Farm Museum, inside the old Colt estate: dogs are not permitted, with the exception of guide dogs. See Coggeshall Farm.
• Audubon's Claire D. McIntosh Wildlife Refuge, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol: dogs are prohibited on the trails and boardwalk.
• East Bay Bike Path: DEM manages the path; keep dogs leashed and to the side, since it is busy with bikes.

Service Animals

Service animals are exempt from the seasonal beach ban under state law. DEM's rules for its campgrounds describe how service animals must be harnessed, leashed or tethered unless that interferes with their work or the handler's disability prevents it, in which case the handler must keep control by voice or signal.

Before You Go

Colt is open sunrise to sunset (hours), parking is free (parking), and the full list of park rules is on the rules page.