Harrington Preserve

Things to consider when visiting

• Parking

  There are two parking areas for this preserve. To explore the south side, park between the houses at 170 and 200 Henry Brown Road, along the edge of the road. 

  To hike the north side, park at the Big River Management Area's Hopkins Hill lot, located at approximately 500 Hopkins Hill Road. Cross Hopkins Hill Road and follow the Big River trails for one mile to the Harrington Preserve.

  Please see the Trails tab for details.

• Trails

  Note: This preserve's trails are unmarked and minimally maintained. They may be seasonally wet or overgrown. AllTrails or another trails app will be useful to avoid getting turned around. 

  Henry Brown--Fire Trail (2.2 miles round trip): From the pull-off on Henry Brown Road, step over the stone wall and look for a rough path through the pine trees to the hayfield. At the edge of the field, small fieldstones indicate a historic cemetery. Turn left and walk toward the forest (approx a tenth of a mile.) Follow the old fire road into the woods, climbing gradually through the preserve and ending at Hopkins Hill Road. Return by the same route, using the cemetary sign as a landmark for the parking area. Highlights include views of Pendock Brook and the Harrington family cabin.

  Big River Extension (4.5 miles round trip): From the Big River Management Area parking lot on Hopkins Hill Road, cross the street and follow the straight, wide path into the forest. Continue across the paved access road for Hopkins Hill Sand & Stone, eventually entering the Harrington Preserve's northeast corner. A web of mountain bike trails wind through the preserve. Highlights include delicately piled stones, a pond view and a different historic cemetery. 

• What to See

  The Harrington Preserve helps protect the headwaters of the Queen’s River, one of Rhode Island’s healthiest coldwater streams, and provides habitat for a wide range of plants and animals.

  Plants: The Harrington Preserve features a diverse, second-growth forest community. White pines and oaks dominate the tree canopy, with some black birch, red maple and sassafras. The shrub layer is generally comprised of black huckleberry, giving way to sweet pepperbush in wetter soils.

  Birds: The forest provides habitat for barred owls and red-shouldered hawks, plus a number of migratory songbirds, including blue-gray gnatcatchers, wood thrushes and eastern towhees.

  Animals: Common woodland mammals in the area include white-tailed deer, eastern coyote, fisher and red squirrel. Pendock Brook and other wetlands provide excellent habitat for frogs and salamanders. In summer, ebony jewelwing damselflies, with vivid emerald green bodies and velvety black wings, flutter about the stream banks.

• Preserve Guidelines

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

  • Stay on marked trails.
  • Dogs are permitted but must be leashed at all times.
  • Respect preserve hours (one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset). Overnight camping is not allowed.
  • Do not ride horses, bikes or any motorized vehicle through 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 deer 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.