Salt Pond Unit Trails (Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge) Hiking Guide

The Salt Pond Unit of Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge sits on the old Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Field, on the north shore of Ninigret Pond. Its 409 acres of grassland, shrubland, wooded swamp and freshwater ponds carry more than four miles of flat trail. The paths link a west entrance near Foster Cove with an east entrance by Ninigret Park. It is a birding walk first and a hike second, at its best during the spring and fall migrations.

no permit neededno dogs
Difficulty
easy
Distance
3.5 mi
Elevation gain
33 ft
Trailhead
Charlestown
former Navy airfield runways returning to grassland and shrublandGrassy Point view across Ninigret Pond, the state's largest coastal salt pondTrails Through Time signs on glacial, Native, colonial and wartime historymore than 250 bird species recorded on the refuge
fallspringwinter

Routes and Distances

Hiking Project's recommended route across the unit covers about 3.5 miles with roughly 33 feet of climbing, and nothing on it is more than about 20 feet above sea level. The Fish and Wildlife Service gives the pieces separately. The Lavallee Cross Refuge Trail (1.21 miles) and the Charlietown Runway Trail (0.80) connect the two entrances. At the west end, the Foster Cove Loop (0.92) goes past the cove and across the restored runways to Fisherman's Point. At the east end, the Grassy Point Trail (0.57) and its 0.15-mile cutoff carry the Trails Through Time signs. Since the route runs between two entrances, either walk it out and back or shorten it with the loops at one end.

Hunt Days and Orange

The whole Salt Pond Unit closes to the public on November 14 and 15, 2026, for the annual Veterans Deer Hunt. It closes again for a youth deer hunt in December; check the refuge page for that date. Otherwise, archery deer hunting runs here from September 15 through January while the trails stay open to hikers, and firearms hunting is not allowed on this unit. Hunters may not shoot within 100 feet of a public trail. The refuge recommends blaze orange, such as a vest and hat, during the fall and winter seasons.

Rules and Ongoing Cleanup

Dogs, horses and other pets are not allowed in the Salt Pond Unit. Leashed dogs are allowed only on the Kettle Pond Visitor Center trails at the refuge's headquarters unit, and not on that unit's Toupoysett Pond Trail. Bikes, roller blades and kite flying are banned, and the trail map also rules out jogging. Trails are open sunrise to sunset. The Army Corps of Engineers is investigating contamination from the old Navy base under the federal Superfund law. The refuge's 2026-27 hunt notice says some areas will be closed, and it asks visitors to keep out of any area that is signed closed.

What You See

Grassy Point looks out over Ninigret Pond, which the refuge calls the largest coastal salt pond in Rhode Island, toward the barrier beach on the far side. Hiking Project's contributor mentions watching oyster growers working the beds. The Trails Through Time signs walk through about 12,000 years: glacial retreat, the Native era, colonial farming, the World War II airfield and today. The Foster Cove side is usually quieter, and the refuge says white-tailed deer gather on the restored runways in the evening. The trail map counts more than 250 bird species recorded on the refuge.

Getting There and Footing

The west entrance is signed from U.S. Route 1 in Charlestown and puts you near Foster Cove. The east entrance is reached through Ninigret Park, a town park with a dog park and an observatory. Footing is easy, but Hiking Project warns that the low ground puddles quickly after rain, and ticks are common in the shrubland. The refuge lists no entrance fee. The Kettle Pond Visitor Center, at the separate headquarters unit, has habitat dioramas and a half-mile trail to Watchaug Pond, and it makes an easy second stop.

Hiking tips for Salt Pond Unit Trails (Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge)

  • Avoid November 14-15, 2026, when the Salt Pond Unit is closed for the Veterans Deer Hunt.
  • Wear an orange hat or vest on fall and winter walks; archery hunters use the unit from September 15 through January.
  • Leave dogs home, or use the Kettle Pond trails where leashed dogs are allowed.
  • Go in the evening for deer on the old runways, and in spring or fall for migrating birds.
  • Wear boots after rain; the low ground floods quickly.

Nearby trails to explore

  • Napatree Point Trail (Watch Hill)
  • Long Pond and Ell Pond Trail (Hopkinton)
  • Browning Mill Pond Loop (Arcadia Management Area)

Hike this trail with TrailMates

Birding walks go better with more eyes. Post a Ninigret walk on TrailMates, settle which entrance to meet at in the event's group chat, and spend a fall morning spotting birds on the old runways with people from around Providence and South County. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.