ColtState Park
Small parking area beside a grassy field near the bay

Parking & Directions

Parking at Colt State Park is free. RI DEM charges no entry fee, and its park map shows parking lots spread through the park: beside each of the three picnic areas, at the park office, at the scenic overlooks on the shore road, at the boat ramp and at the fishing pier. The park's address is Hope Street (Route 114), Bristol, RI 02809, and it is open sunrise to sunset every day of the year.

At a Glance

Parking at a Glance

CostFree (no entry fee)
AddressHope Street (Route 114), Bristol, RI 02809
Park hoursSunrise to sunset, year round
LotsAreas 1, 2 and 3, the office, the overlooks, the boat ramp, the fishing pier
Boat rampOff Hope St. (Rt. 114), concrete, state-owned
Park office(401) 253-7482
July 4Poppasquash Road closes from 8 a.m. for the parade
Parking Lots

Pick a Lot, Get Directions

Area 3 Lot

Area 3, just inside the park entrance, Bristol, RI

  • Area 3, by the entrance
  • Free, no entry fee
  • Sunrise to sunset

Starts here: Picnic sites 80–84 and shelter

Get directionsto Area 3 Lot (opens in new tab)

Sources: RI DEM Colt State Park map (opens in new tab)

Get directions opens Google Maps in a new tab. RI DEM's park map marks these lots but publishes no GPS pins or space counts, so each button goes to the park's address on Hope Street (Route 114).

Driving In

How Far Is Colt State Park From Providence?

Road distance and drive time from the nearest big cities, with short directions from each.

Road distance and typical drive time, no traffic, to the park entrance circle off Asylum Road, next to the Area 3 lot
FromMilesDrive (typical, no traffic)
Providence1628 min
Worcester561 hr 15 min
Boston611 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.

From Providence

Starts at Providence City Hall. 16 miles, 28 min (typical, no traffic).

  1. Take South Water Street (US 44) to I-195 East.
  2. Follow I-195 East about 7 miles to Exit 5 (Route 136, Warren, Newport).
  3. Follow Market Street (Route 136) about 3 miles south into Warren.
  4. Turn left on Main Street (Route 114), which becomes Hope Street in Bristol.
  5. Turn right on Asylum Road and follow it into the park to the entrance circle.

From Worcester

Starts at Worcester City Hall. 56 miles, 1 hr 15 min (typical, no traffic).

  1. Take I-290 to Exit 16, Route 146 South toward Providence, and follow it about 37 miles.
  2. Merge onto I-95, then take Exit 36A to I-195 East.
  3. Take Exit 5 (Route 136, Warren, Newport) and follow Market Street into Warren.
  4. Turn left on Main Street (Route 114), which becomes Hope Street in Bristol.
  5. Turn right on Asylum Road and follow it into the park to the entrance circle.

From Boston

Starts at Boston City Hall. 61 miles, 1 hr 24 min (typical, no traffic).

  1. Take I-93 South about 12 miles to Exit 4 (Route 24 South, Fall River).
  2. Follow Route 24 South about 33 miles, then take Exit 7 to Route 79 South.
  3. Follow signs for Route 103 West (Warren) onto Wilbur Avenue, which becomes Child Street in Warren.
  4. At the end of Child Street, turn left on Main Street (Route 114), which becomes Hope Street.
  5. Turn right on Asylum Road and follow it into the park to the entrance circle.

Where the Entrance Is

DEM gives the park's address as Hope Street (Route 114) in Bristol. On DEM's map the entrance is at a small traffic circle in the north-east corner of the park, just inside Asylum Road and a short way from where the East Bay Bike Path crosses into the park. From the circle, one paved road runs west along the north shore toward the boat ramp, the overlooks and the big picnic lawns, and another runs south to Area 3 and the Poppasquash Road side. The park office phone is (401) 253-7482 if you need directions on the day.

The Lots, Area by Area

DEM's map marks a parking symbol beside almost everything you might come for, so you rarely walk far from the car. Use the park map to match a lot to the picnic site numbers on your permit.

Parking for the East Bay Bike Path

Colt is one of the parks the East Bay Bike Path links, and DEM notes that the park's own paved paths meet it. If you are riding the whole path, RIDOT lists the path's public parking spots from India Point Park in Providence to Independence Park in Bristol, including Colt; the East Bay Bike Path parking guide lists each one and what is near it. Colt makes a good place to start or finish a ride: its lots are free, and the path continues south from the park to Independence Park on Bristol Harbor.

Boat Ramp Parking

DEM lists Colt State Park as public boat launching site 22: a state-owned and operated concrete ramp off Hope Street (Route 114), with 4 feet of water at mean low tide. The map places it on the north shore, west of the entrance, with a universal-access symbol and its own parking. See fishing and boating for the pier and the kayak launch.

Coggeshall Farm Museum Has Its Own Entrance

Coggeshall Farm Museum sits inside the old Colt estate, but its visitor parking is not in the state park lots. The museum says its lot is a field marked by signs and can only be reached from the Poppasquash Road entrance. If you are going to the farm, follow the museum's directions in the Coggeshall Farm guide.

Bristol Town Beach Is a Separate, Paid Lot

The Town of Bristol's beach and sports complex is next door on Asylum Road, and it is not part of the state park. The town charges a parking fee there from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and locks its gates at sunset. If you parked at the town beach, you paid the town; Colt's own lots are free. The Bristol Town Beach page has the town's rates.

July 4: Plan Around the Parade

Bristol's Fourth of July parade closes Hope Street and High Street (Route 114), including Poppasquash Road, from 8 a.m. on the Fourth, and the committee announces a parking ban along the route the night before. If you want to use Colt on July 4, arrive before the closures or expect detours. The parade guide covers the route and timing.

Gates Close at Sunset

State park rules do not allow people or vehicles inside a state park between sunset and sunrise without written permission. Plan to be back at your car before dark, especially in winter when sunset comes early. The hours page has the details.

Accessible Parking

DEM's map marks both the boat ramp and the fishing pier with universal-access symbols, and each has parking beside it. DEM lists the park's four miles of paved paths as stroller-friendly. The plan your visit page collects the accessibility details.

Small concrete boat ramp beside a grassy bayside park
FAQ

Parking & Directions FAQ

Is parking free at Colt State Park?

Yes. RI DEM's map for Colt State Park says "No Fee for Entry," and there is no parking charge at the state park's lots. The only fees are for reserved picnic tables, shelters, fields and the chapel, from April to October.

What is the address of Colt State Park?

DEM lists the park at Hope Street (Route 114), Bristol, RI 02809. The entrance is at a small traffic circle in the north-east corner of the park, near Asylum Road and the East Bay Bike Path.

Where do you park for the fishing pier at Colt State Park?

DEM's map shows a parking lot right beside the universal-access fishing area at the north-west corner of the park, at the top of Area 2. Follow the shore road west from the entrance.

Can you park at Colt State Park overnight?

No. Rhode Island's state park rules do not allow people or vehicles in a state park between sunset and sunrise without official written permission.

Is Bristol Town Beach parking the same as Colt State Park parking?

No. The town beach next door on Asylum Road is run by the Town of Bristol, which charges a parking fee from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Colt State Park's lots are free.

Next Up

Hours & FeesOpening times, seasons and fees.Plan Your VisitThe short version before you head out.Trail MapEvery marked trail, with distance and difficulty.

Facts checked against the RI DEM page for Colt State Park on October 18, 2026.