Gaia: Track Miles: 4.8mi  Duration: 2:00  Rating: 10/10

The Beaudoin Conservation Area is a secluded treasure of Rhode Island. Nestled within a rural neighborhood, the 400-acre preserve offers a variety of hiking trails, stunning scenery, and a chance to explore history.

The Beaudoin Conservation Area has two trailheads: one on the north side on Ledge Street and one on the south side on Williams Crossing Road. Both roads are dead ends, so be sure to follow the signs. As you approach the turn for these roads, they appear to be private driveways. However, as you drive up the road, you will see older and newer houses. Eventually, you will reach the trailhead with a dedicated parking lot and a kiosk where you can get information about the trail.

There are three blazed trails in Beaudoin Conservation Area, each of which varies in difficulty. From Ledge Road, you can start on the blue trail, which is very easy and ADA accessible. The blue trail then splits into two trails: the lower yellow trail and the upper yellow trail. The lower yellow trail is moderately difficult and leads to the white trail, which brings you to Williams Crossing Road. The upper yellow trail is the most difficult of the trails as it passes through a boulder field. These trails are relatively short and, in total, add up to approximately 2.5 miles. In order for the group to complete the 4.6 mile hike, we hiked the yellow-white trail loop twice. 

(Source: Coventry Land Trust)

A Rich History
The history of the Beaudoin Conservation Area is rich and varied. From the late 1800s to as late as the 1960s, the area changed owners several times, but it was always a quarry. Originally known as Foster Ledge Quarry, it was opened by Horace Foster in 1862. The name later changed to Marriott & Sons Quarry before eventually closing. The quarry provided granite to build homes, bridges, and other structures in the region. With the quarry being located close to the Hartford, Providence, and Fishkill Railroad made it easy to ship granite to where it was needed. Remains of the quarry can still be seen on the trails with cellar holes, stone walls, and grout piles. A grout pile are the unused pieces of stone that are chipped off as the stone is being shaped.

(Source: Matteson 1941, 1709.01_Trestle_Trail_East_October_2014_Revision.pdf)

A Geological Wonder
The Beaudoin Conservation Area is also home to a variety of geological features. Scattered through the woods are boulders left by the glaciers, referred to as glacial erratic. These boulders are the result of the glacial growth. As the glaciers continued to grow, they would push rocks that could be the size of a pebble or as large as a house with them as they grew. As the glaciers started to melt and recede, these glacial erratic were left behind. Geologists identify these glacial erratic by determining the mineral content does not match the mineral content of nearby rocks, but they do match the mineral content that would be expected further north. 

A Four-Season Destination
Hiking the Beaudoin Conservation Area is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. The trails are well-maintained and offer a variety of challenges. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkeys, and foxes. While hiking, Fred (canine) was able to smell something the rest of us couldn’t. Facing a large tree, Fred stopped and started howling to tell us something was in the tree. His nose was better than our eyes because we could not see it. It is possible there was a turkey up in the tree. 

Creature Challenge
RI Walks has placed 34 “creatures” across various trails that are protected by different land trusts. As you hike the trails and come across a creature, there is a QR code to scan and register your find. These creatures can be hard to find because they can easily blend in with the landscape. However, looking for these creatures is a great way to slow us down and take a look around observing nature. There’s a lot more than trees, rocks, and streams to see when out on a hike. Be sure to take your time and look around. You might just come across a creature. Click here to learn more about the Creature Challenge.

The Beaudoin Conservation Area is truly special place that offers a variety of things to see and do. I am looking forward to the next visit to see what I missed the first time.