Snake Den State Park

Snake Den is kind of a funky state park in Johnson RI. It’s easy to miss because the parking lot is behind a gas station, and there isn’t a map or guide posted anywhere to indicate different paths.
The trails are lush and take you through beautiful landscapes. We saw lots of boulders, stone walls, trees and fields. We also crossed a small stream at one point but it was very dry due to lack of rain. Like I said: it’s definitely a little funky (but hey, where in RI isn’t?)…our trail dumped us out on the side of the road and we had to walk along it to get back to the parking lot. The hiking is very light, so don’t head there if you’re looking for a serious workout, but otherwise it’s a gorgeous little place. I definitely recommend it for a fun couple of hours outdoors.

Snake Den is a large park full of woodsy walking trails, hidden treasures (such as a historical cemetery that you may miss if you aren’t looking for it), and large open spaces. It may not be one of the most visited parks in the state, but it is one of the more interesting. Most of the trails are unmarked, but easy to navigate. I didn’t have a map but easily found my way around the several intersecting pathways. It is a great place to get a nice, easy hike in on a beautiful day, without going too far outside of the city.