Clay Head Trails

Things to consider when visiting

• Parking

  The main parking area is located about three miles from Old Harbor. Driving or riding north on Corn Neck Road, look for the words “Clay Head Trail” in red vertical lettering mounted on a pole, across from the transfer station sign. The 0.4-mile-long dirt driveway leads to the trailhead, with a kiosk and bike racks.

  Additional parking is available at the Hodge Family Wildlife Preserve, 0.3 miles north on Corn Neck Road. Cross the road to access Clay Head via the Long Lot Trail. Or park at the end of Corn Neck Road and explore Clay Head from north to south.

• Trails

  Note: Clay Head is open to the public through the generosity of the Lapham family. Please respect their privacy and follow the signs marked “Walkers Welcome.”

  Clay Head Trail (2.8 miles one way): Park at the trailhead, 0.4 miles from the intersection of Corn Neck Road and the driveway into the preserve. The first section of trail leads you through dense shrubs and into a meadow dotted with large trees, mostly sycamore maples and wild black cherries. Enjoy the view over Clayhead Swamp out to the ocean.

  Proceed downhill and cross a small footbridge, observing changes in the surrounding habitat as you approach the beach. Just 0.3 miles from the trailhead, Clayhead Beach is a great spot to take a break and explore the shoreline. When ready, backtrack slightly and follow the trail to the left to explore the bluffs.

  Once you climb the bluff, the trail flattens out and takes you to the north end of Clay Head, and to Sachem Pond and the North Light beyond it. The path weaves in and out of fields and bayberry shrublands, past several overlooks with views of the ocean, the mainland and Old Harbor.Please take care to stay back from the edge, as the top of the bluff is fragile and undercut in places.

  Long Lot Trail (0.6 miles): Park at the Hodge Family Wildlife Preserve and cross Corn Neck Road. Enter Clay Head through a wide gap in the stone wall.

  Marked with yellow blazes, this trail skirts the Maze (see below), passing through small groves of black walnut and tamarack trees, interspersed with milkweed meadows. Some areas have an enclosed feeling, due to the surrounding vegetation, but high spots provide views of the Great Salt Pond and other landmarks. The Long Lot Trail provides a great connection to the Hodge Preserve for a longer loop.

  Other Clay Head Trails: Another 10 miles of trail—known by many as the Maze—wind through the interior of the property. Look for unmarked paths leaving the Clay Head Trail at various points to enter this area. The trails are unmapped to preserve their enchantment. If you get disoriented, walk to the east or listen for the sound of crashing waves and head in that direction.

• What to See

  Clay Head's abundant shrubs and thriving wetlands combine to make it one of most important places for songbird migration on the Atlantic Coast.

  Plants: Clay Head features a diverse, second-growth forest community with native red maples and wild black cherries growing alongside planted sycamore maples and black walnuts.

  Along the bluff, the shrub layer is largely comprised of northern bayberry and poison ivy.

  Birds: The Clay Head bluffs provide nesting habitat for bank swallows and barn owls, which nest nowhere else in Rhode Island. Other common birds include yellow warblers, common yellowthroats, Carolina wrens and gray catbirds.

• Preserve Guidelines

  We hope you enjoy visiting TNC’s preserves in any season. We ask that you please observe the following guidelines:

  • Stay on established trails.
  • Dogs are permitted but must be leashed at all times.
  • Bikes are not permitted.
  • Respect preserve hours (one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset). Overnight camping is not allowed.
  • Do not ride horses or any motorized vehicle through the preserve or on the trails.
  • Do not remove plants or other living materials from a preserve, and do not disturb any stone walls or other historic features.
  • Remove any trash you create and, if possible, any garbage that you see left by someone else.
  • In the spring, summer and fall, dress in long pants and socks to avoid ticks. After any walk on a preserve, it is a good idea to check for ticks when you return home.
  • Be careful! Your safety is your responsibility.