New England Swimming Holes
Freshwater ponds, brook waterfalls, and quick inland escapes across Rhode Island.
A Rhode Island forest favorite
Exeter, Rhode Island
Stepstone Falls gives Rhode Island one of its best wooded waterfall walks, with enough atmosphere and moving water to justify the Arcadia detour.
Popular places
Photo-forward picks from the state directory, with quick labels for town and water type.
Every spot in the state
Filter Rhode Island by water type, then open the map or a sample place below.
Rhode IslandStart here
Compact ocean and bay access, small freshwater lists, and the shortest path to a good first dip.
Road-trip planning
Regional clusters for the places people actually road-trip together.
From your base
Base-town planning pages for weekends, shorter drives, and the places that make sense from where you are staying.
Plan the day
Use these pages when timing, crowding, season, or route flow matter more than simply finding the nearest stop.
Before you go
Rhode Island brooks rise and fall quickly, so the best waterfall days usually follow recent rain while pond swimming improves later in summer.
Stewardship guide →Flow, cold water, and footing can change quickly.
Use legal lots and avoid blocking roads or gates.
Check local rules before bringing a dog to the water.
Confirm facilities before counting on a long day.
