The North South Trail offers a unique opportunity to hike the entire length of Rhode Island—78 miles from Blue Shutters Town Beach on the Atlantic Ocean in Charlestown to the Massachusetts border in Buck Hill Management Area. This is less a wilderness backpacking route than a challenging traverse of New England's smallest state, featuring coastal oak forests, old wooded roads, forgotten hamlets, boulder fields, and the rugged forested uplands of western Rhode Island.
Expect variety over difficulty. The trail never exceeds 800 feet elevation and climbs are gentle, with total elevation gain around 4,700 feet spread across the entire route. One hiker noted they could "count the times I got out of breath due to terrain with one hand." The real challenge is endurance and foot care: approximately one-third of the trail consists of paved roads, including an 11-mile stretch through the middle section. The remaining mileage splits between singletrack trails and dirt/gravel roads.
This trail suits backpackers seeking an accessible thru-hike experience, state-line baggers, or those looking to test gear and systems without extreme terrain. The lack of backcountry camping infrastructure makes this a planning puzzle that rewards creativity and flexibility.
Backcountry Camping Permit (Free): Required for the Stepstone Falls backcountry campsite in Arcadia Management Area (mile 2.5). Call ahead to reserve at (401) 539-2356. This primitive site near the Wood River has space for a few tents around an open-sided wooden shelter, though the shelter structure has deteriorated significantly.
Blaze Orange Requirement (Mandatory): All trail users—hikers, bikers, horseback riders—must wear 200 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange (500 square inches during shotgun deer season) during hunting seasons: September 1–February 28 and third Saturday in April–May 31. Orange must be visible from all directions above the waist. A hat alone covers 200 square inches; add a vest for 500. Fluorescent camouflage does not count. Fines are issued for non-compliance. Contact: Rhode Island DEM Division of Parks and Recreation at (401) 667-6200.
No Dispersed Camping: Rhode Island prohibits dispersed camping on all public lands, including state parks and wildlife management areas. Technically, all camping requires permits. In practice, stealth camping occurs in the Arcadia and George Washington management areas (both state land), though it remains illegal. Risk is low but not zero.
Established Campgrounds: George Washington Management Area Campground (northern section) offers 45 primitive sites with water spigots and pit toilets—no hookups or showers. Reservations recommended. Arcadia Management Area has multiple camping options including drive-in sites.
Fall (September–November): The optimal window. Temperatures moderate (50s–70s°F), humidity drops dramatically, and bug pressure disappears after the first frost (late October). Fall foliage in October adds visual interest to the forested sections. Be extremely cautious during hunting season—wear required blaze orange September 1–February 28. Consider avoiding late November–December entirely during shotgun deer season when 500 square inches of orange is required and hunter activity peaks.
Spring (April–May): Pleasant temperatures (50s–60s°F) but mud can be significant on the singletrack sections, particularly in Arcadia Management Area where rocky, wet conditions persist. Blaze orange required third Saturday in April–May 31. Black flies emerge around Mother's Day and persist through Father's Day—early summer can be miserable without bug protection.
Summer (June–August): Only for those tolerant of heat and bugs. Expect 90–100°F temperatures with high humidity. Mosquitoes, black flies, deer flies, and horse flies are relentless. Mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus and EEE bite until first heavy frost. One hiker recommended wearing a floppy straw hat covering the ears and good sunglasses—deer flies can't divebomb your ears and black flies can't fly into your eyes. Early morning starts (7 AM) reduce bug encounters. Water sources remain plentiful.
Winter (December–February): Not recommended. The trail traverses extensive hunting land with multiple deer seasons. Blaze orange required throughout. Snow and ice make the rocky northern sections treacherous. The trail is popular for cross-country skiing among experienced winter recreationists.
Water Availability: Abundant year-round, with sources spaced no more than 5–6 miles apart. However, quality varies significantly. Much of the water appears as swamps, ponds, or stagnant pools—expect brown, unappetizing sources. A reliable filter is essential; bring a backup method. During hot summer weather, smaller streams may dry up or become swampier. Most reliable water at campgrounds, trailheads, and town crossings.
Resupply Strategy: The 78-mile distance doesn't require resupply for most backpackers, but options exist for fresh food or bailout supplies:
Carry 4–5 days of food unless you plan to resupply. No mail drop options for lightweight backpacking.
Road Walking (25+ miles): The most complained-about feature. Approximately one-third of the trail consists of paved roads, with an 11-mile stretch through the middle being particularly demoralizing. Road walking on asphalt causes blistering and joint pain even for experienced hikers. Traffic is generally light on rural roads, but the hard surface wears on feet. Consider road-running shoes or lighter footwear for these sections.
Limited Legal Camping: Only one official backcountry site (Stepstone Falls, mile 2.5) exists, creating a 22-mile gap from the southern terminus to the first legal camping. From Stepstone Falls, it's a significant distance to George Washington Management Area campground. This forces awkward mileage days or requires stealth camping (illegal but low-risk). Many thru-hikers camp discreetly in the management areas.
Hunting Season: From September 1–February 28 and third Saturday April–May 31, wearing blaze orange is mandatory. During shotgun deer season (early December), 500 square inches required. Hunting activity is significant—avoid late fall/winter trips unless comfortable hiking during hunting season with proper safety gear.
Insects (May–September): Black flies (Mother's Day–Father's Day), mosquitoes (through October frost), deer flies, and horse flies are persistent. Bug pressure is severe in early summer. Wear permethrin-treated clothing, carry DEET, and consider a head net. Starting at dawn reduces encounters.
Tick-Borne Diseases: White-tailed deer are common and support large tick populations. Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are present. Perform thorough tick checks daily. Tuck pants into socks, wear permethrin-treated clothing, and check high-risk areas (groin, armpits, scalp, behind knees).
Boulder Fields: The largest boulder field awaits in Arcadia Management Area—sections of flat hiking over small boulders and downed trees. The northern sector features rocky, narrow trail with many fallen trees. Ankle-supporting footwear recommended.
Wildlife: No venomous snakes in Rhode Island (timber rattlesnakes disappeared 50 years ago). Wildlife sightings are limited—coyotes, barred owls, turtles, white-tailed deer, beavers reported. Black bears exist in very small numbers (limited draw hunts only). No bear canister required, but hang food or use Ursack in bear country as a precaution.
Navigation Challenges: The trail is aggressively marked with blue blazes—double blazes, signs, and arrows at every turn, sometimes excessively so. You cannot get lost. However, some sections follow "almost nonexistent" trails through rambles and rocks where the blue blazes indicate the route more than an obvious footpath.
Airports: T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) in Warwick is 10 minutes from downtown Providence and the nearest major airport. Served by all major carriers. From the airport, RIPTA buses (routes 1, 20, 66, 14) connect to Kennedy Plaza in Providence, with routes throughout Rhode Island. No direct public transit to trailheads—expect to arrange private transportation or rideshare.
Southern Terminus (Charlestown): Blue Shutters Town Beach, Charlestown, RI. Parking available at the beach. From Providence, RIPTA buses serve South County near beaches, but it's approximately 13 miles to the trailhead requiring cab/rideshare.
Northern Terminus (Burrillville/Buck Hill): The trail ends at the Massachusetts border in Buck Hill Management Area off Route 100. Access via dirt road to parking area approximately 2 miles from the terminus. The trailhead is roughly 0.5 miles from the parking lot. Stay left at the fork to reach the trailhead.
Shuttle Services: No commercial shuttle services exist for the North South Trail. Most thru-hikers arrange drop-off/pick-up with friends or family, or complete the trail piecemeal over multiple weekends with a support driver. Point-to-point logistics are entirely DIY.
Road Conditions: All trailheads accessible via paved roads. No high-clearance vehicles required. The northern terminus requires driving a maintained dirt road but is passable for standard vehicles in dry conditions.
Camp Selection Strategy: With only one legal backcountry site, you have three options: (1) Stay at established campgrounds (Stepstone Falls at mile 2.5, George Washington at mile 61), (2) Complete the trail in 3–4 days with very long road-walking days to reach campgrounds, or (3) stealth camp in the Arcadia or George Washington management areas where enforcement is minimal. If stealth camping, set up after dark and break down before dawn. Stay 200+ feet from water and trails. Leave no trace.
Footwear for Road Sections: Many hikers report severe blistering from the 25+ miles of pavement. Consider carrying lightweight road-running shoes or trail runners specifically for paved sections, switching to boots for the technical boulder fields and rocky terrain. Some thru-hikers wear road shoes for the entire trip given the limited technical terrain.
Blaze Orange Compliance: Don't underestimate this requirement. DEM actively enforces the regulation and issues fines. A simple blaze orange baseball cap suffices for the 200-square-inch requirement outside shotgun season. Buy one in any sporting goods store for $10 rather than risk a fine.
Timing Your Hike: Most thru-hikers complete the trail in 4–5 days. Fast hikers can finish in 3 days with big miles. The low difficulty and extensive road walking allow for higher daily mileage than typical backpacking. Consider these day-break options: Day 1: 22 miles to Stepstone Falls (long road walk), Day 2: 15–20 miles through Arcadia, Day 3: 15–20 miles to George Washington area, Day 4: Finish 15–20 miles to Massachusetts border.
Section Hiking Highlights: If not thru-hiking, the Arcadia Management Area sections (Stepstone Falls, Ben Utter Trail) offer the most scenic day hikes with river views, waterfalls, and minimal road walking. The Exeter to Carbuncle Pond section is particularly popular. The northern sections through George Washington Management Area feature nice lakeshores and boulder fields.
Water Strategy: Despite abundant water sources, many appear unappetizing (swamps, stagnant ponds). Carry extra capacity (3–4 liters) to tank up at clean sources (campgrounds, streams) and skip questionable sources. A Sawyer Squeeze or similar filter handles the turbid water adequately.
Book Resource: The Great Swamp Press book by Cliff Vanover, "The North South Trail: A Guide for Traveling Across Rhode Island for Hikers, Equestrians, and Mountain Bikers," is the definitive resource. Maps are also available online through various sources. Print maps before departing as cell service can be spotty in management areas.
Transportation Logistics: The point-to-point nature with no shuttle services makes logistics challenging. Consider: (1) Two-car shuttle if hiking with others, (2) Uber/Lyft (expensive—approximately $60–80 from northern to southern terminus), (3) Section hiking the trail on weekends with a support driver, or (4) Starting in Charlestown and hitching back from the northern terminus (less reliable in rural Rhode Island).
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