The North South Trail runs 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. It is less a wilderness backpacking route than a traverse of New England's smallest state, crossing coastal oak forests, old wooded roads, forgotten hamlets, boulder fields, and the rugged forested uplands of western Rhode Island.
Expect variety rather than difficulty. The trail never exceeds 800 feet elevation and the climbs are gentle, with total elevation gain around 4,700 feet 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 is paved road, including an 11-mile stretch through the middle section. The remaining mileage splits between singletrack trails and dirt or gravel roads.
The trail works well for backpackers who want an accessible thru-hike, state-line baggers, or anyone testing gear and systems without extreme terrain. The lack of backcountry camping infrastructure turns the trip into a planning puzzle, and flexible hikers fare best.
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, including hikers, bikers, and 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. The risk is low but not zero.
Established Campgrounds: George Washington Management Area Campground (northern section) has 45 primitive sites with water spigots and pit toilets, but no hookups or showers. Reservations recommended. Arcadia Management Area has multiple camping options, including drive-in sites.
Fall (September-November): The best window. Temperatures are moderate (50s-70s°F), humidity drops, and bug pressure disappears after the first frost in late October. October foliage brightens the forested sections. Be extremely cautious during hunting season and wear the required blaze orange September 1-February 28. Consider skipping late November-December entirely: that is 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 is required from the third Saturday in April through May 31. Black flies emerge around Mother's Day and persist through Father's Day, so early summer can be miserable without bug protection.
Summer (June-August): Only for hikers tolerant of heat and bugs. Expect 90-100°F temperatures with high humidity. Mosquitoes, black flies, deer flies, and horse flies are relentless, and mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus and EEE bite until the first heavy frost. One hiker recommended a floppy straw hat covering the ears plus 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 crosses extensive hunting land with multiple deer seasons, and blaze orange is required throughout. Snow and ice make the rocky northern sections treacherous. Experienced winter recreationists do use the trail for cross-country skiing.
Water Availability: Abundant year-round, with sources spaced no more than 5-6 miles apart, but quality varies significantly. Much of the water sits in swamps, ponds, or stagnant pools, so expect brown, unappetizing sources. A reliable filter is essential; bring a backup method. During hot summer weather, smaller streams may dry up or turn swampier. The most reliable water is at campgrounds, trailheads, and town crossings.
Resupply Strategy: Most backpackers do not need to resupply over 78 miles, but options exist for fresh food or bailout supplies:
Carry 4-5 days of food unless you plan to resupply. There are no practical mail drop options for lightweight backpacking.
Road Walking (25+ miles): The most complained-about feature. Approximately one-third of the trail is paved road, and the 11-mile stretch through the middle is particularly demoralizing. Asphalt causes blistering and joint pain even for experienced hikers. Traffic is generally light on the 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 exists (Stepstone Falls, mile 2.5), which leaves a 22-mile gap from the southern terminus to the first legal camping. From Stepstone Falls, it is a long way to the George Washington Management Area campground. This forces awkward mileage days or stealth camping (illegal but low-risk). Many thru-hikers camp discreetly in the management areas.
Hunting Season: From September 1-February 28 and the third Saturday in April through May 31, blaze orange is mandatory. During shotgun deer season (early December), 500 square inches is required. Hunting activity is significant; skip late fall and winter trips unless you are 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, and Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are present. Do 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 is in Arcadia Management Area: sections of flat hiking over small boulders and downed trees. The northern sector has rocky, narrow trail with many fallen trees. Ankle-supporting footwear is recommended.
Wildlife: Rhode Island has no venomous snakes (timber rattlesnakes disappeared 50 years ago). Wildlife sightings are limited: coyotes, barred owls, turtles, white-tailed deer, and beavers are reported. Black bears exist in very small numbers (limited draw hunts only). No bear canister is required, but hang food or use an 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. Some sections do 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 public transit reaches the trailheads directly, so plan on private transportation or rideshare.
Southern Terminus (Charlestown): Blue Shutters Town Beach, Charlestown, RI. Parking is available at the beach. From Providence, RIPTA buses serve South County near the beaches, but the trailhead is still approximately 13 miles away, so a cab or rideshare is needed.
Northern Terminus (Burrillville/Buck Hill): The trail ends at the Massachusetts border in Buck Hill Management Area off Route 100. Access is via a dirt road to a 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 it.
Shuttle Services: No commercial shuttles serve the North South Trail. Most thru-hikers arrange drop-off and pick-up with friends or family, or hike the trail piecemeal over multiple weekends with a support driver. Point-to-point logistics are entirely DIY.
Road Conditions: All trailheads are reachable on paved roads, and no high-clearance vehicle is required. The northern terminus involves a maintained dirt road that standard vehicles handle 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) finish 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, and 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 for the paved sections and switching to boots for the boulder fields and rocky terrain. Some thru-hikers wear road shoes for the entire trip given the limited technical terrain.
Blaze Orange Compliance: Do not underestimate this requirement. DEM actively enforces the regulation and issues fines. A blaze orange baseball cap satisfies the 200-square-inch requirement outside shotgun season. Any sporting goods store sells one for $10, which beats risking a fine.
Timing Your Hike: Most thru-hikers finish in 4-5 days. Fast hikers can do it in 3 with big miles. The low difficulty and extensive road walking allow higher daily mileage than typical backpacking. One workable breakdown: Day 1, 22 miles to Stepstone Falls (long road walk); Day 2, 15-20 miles through Arcadia; Day 3, 15-20 miles to the George Washington area; Day 4, the final 15-20 miles to the Massachusetts border.
Section Hiking Highlights: If not thru-hiking, the Arcadia Management Area sections (Stepstone Falls, Ben Utter Trail) have 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 have nice lakeshores and boulder fields.
Water Strategy: Despite abundant sources, many look unappetizing (swamps, stagnant ponds). Carry extra capacity (3-4 liters) so you can tank up at clean sources such as campgrounds and streams and skip questionable ones. 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 the management areas.
Transportation Logistics: The point-to-point route with no shuttle services makes logistics the hard part. Consider: (1) a two-car shuttle if hiking with others, (2) Uber or Lyft (expensive, approximately $60-80 from the northern to southern terminus), (3) section hiking 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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