East Bay Bike Path

The shores of upper Narragansett Bay were the homeland of the Pokanoket and Wampanoag peoples before English settlers established the colonial towns of Warren, Barrington, and Bristol along the water. For generations the bay was the region's main highway, carrying goods and people by boat.

In the nineteenth century a railroad was built along the eastern shore, connecting Providence with the bayside towns and the seaside resorts that drew summer crowds. The line carried both freight and passengers and helped these communities grow.

As rail travel declined in the twentieth century, the tracks fell out of use, leaving a straight, level, waterfront corridor. Rhode Island converted the abandoned rail bed into a paved recreational path, part of a national movement to turn old railroads into trails.

The result, opened in stages beginning in the 1990s, is a continuous route that has become one of the most popular bike paths in New England, prized for its flat grade and its almost constant views of the bay.

Starting near the Providence waterfront, the path crosses into East Providence and then runs south through Barrington and Warren before reaching Bristol. Along the way it passes through open salt marsh, over tidal creeks on old railroad bridges, and past coves where boats ride at anchor.

The trail links a series of destinations. It runs beside Colt State Park in Bristol, connects to town centers with shops and restaurants where riders can stop for a meal, and offers access to swimming and picnic spots near the water.

Because it is flat and mostly separated from traffic, the path suits every kind of user, from serious cyclists covering the full length to families with young children and walkers out for a stroll by the water. Its steady scenery keeps the miles from feeling long.

The salt marshes and tidal flats the path crosses are rich with birdlife. Herons and egrets stalk the shallows, ospreys nest on platforms and hunt the coves, and shorebirds probe the mud at low tide. Waterfowl gather in the sheltered water through the colder months.

The marshes themselves are vital habitat, filtering the water and nurturing the fish and shellfish of the bay. Riding through them offers a close, ground level view of an ecosystem that is easy to overlook from a car.

Watch the open bay for cormorants, gulls, and diving birds working the water, and in the quieter stretches you may glimpse turtles, muskrats, and other creatures of the marsh edge.

Spring brings the return of ospreys and migrating birds to the marshes, along with mild air and a greening landscape ideal for riding.

Summer is the peak season, when the full length of the path buzzes with cyclists and walkers, and sea breezes off the bay temper the heat, though the open marsh sections offer little shade.

Fall is a favorite time here, with crisp air, thinning crowds, and warm color in the trees along the route, plus strong bird migration over the flats.

Winter quiets the path to a bracing, beautiful ride or walk, with waterfowl on the bay and long clear views across the water, best enjoyed bundled against the wind.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The East Bay Bike Path, running along the eastern shore of Narragansett Bay between Providence and Bristol, Rhode Island, is a beautiful and popular paved recreational trail offering stunning bay views along its scenic route. Built largely on a former railroad line, the path carries cyclists, walkers, runners, and skaters for miles along the water, past coves, marshes, parks, and waterfront towns, with lovely views of the bay much of the way. It connects charming East Bay communities and scenic spots like Colt State Park. A wonderful and scenic trail for outdoor recreation, it delights cyclists and walkers. With its bayfront route, the East Bay Bike Path offers a rewarding destination in Rhode Island.

You can bike, walk, run, or skate along the paved path, enjoy sweeping views of Narragansett Bay, pass coves, marshes, parks, and waterfront towns, and stop at scenic spots and attractions like Colt State Park along the way. The beautiful bay views, the easy paved route, the connections between charming towns, and the scenic stops are the draws, making it a favorite for recreation of all kinds. The waterfront scenery is the highlight. With its scenic route, the East Bay Bike Path offers a rewarding experience in Rhode Island.

The East Bay Bike Path is a shared paved trail used by cyclists, walkers, runners, and others, so keeping to the right, passing with care, and being courteous to fellow users keep it safe and pleasant, and it crosses some roads, so caution at crossings matters. Bringing water and sun protection helps, as parts are exposed, and choosing an access point and planning your distance make for a good outing. Sharing the path courteously and taking care at crossings ensure a safe, enjoyable ride on the East Bay Bike Path in Rhode Island.

The mild months of spring through fall are the most pleasant for biking or walking the path, when the weather is comfortable and the bay views glorious, with fall especially lovely along the water, and mornings quieter than busy summer weekends. Because it is an outdoor trail, comfortable weather makes it best. For the most pleasant conditions and loveliest scenery, aim for spring through fall on the East Bay Bike Path in Rhode Island.

The East Bay Bike Path runs between Providence and Bristol, Rhode Island, along Narragansett Bay, within reach of Colt State Park, the Bristol attractions including Blithewold and the Herreshoff Marine Museum, and the East Bay towns. That makes the East Bay Bike Path a rewarding way to connect Colt State Park and the other attractions of the East Bay on a visit to Rhode Island.