Kettle Pond Visitor’s Center

Kettle Pond is a nice place to go if you want an easy hike through the woods and don’t have hours to spend. It seems to be a popular place so on a weekend at least, expect to meet up with other people. But if you’re not an experienced hiker it’s best not to go anywhere too isolated anyway. Did the Watchaug Pond Trail and the Toupoysett Pond Trail. Then went halfway up the Burlingame Trail past the Burlingame Campground. Wasn’t sure where that trail came out (didn’t have a map) and had horrible visions of becoming lost in the middle of Burlingame State Park. So backtracked my way back to the Kettle Pond parking lot. Next to the nature center (which was closed when I was there) is Ocean View Trail – which leads to a tower overlooking Ninigret Pond and Block Island in the far distance. Kids will love climbing up to the top of it.

Connecting
people
with
nature
Kettle Pond is a cool new visitor center and hiking area that is convenient located right off of Route 1 in Charlestown. Tucked in between Burlingame State Park and Ninigret Park it is a nice place to learn about the wildlife of the region and even go for a short hike. Their sign says, «connecting people with nature», and indeed that is what they do.
The main building offers exhibits, maps and discovery stations that offer information and instruction on what the Wildlife Service is doing to protect the natural habitat and it’s critters, as well as lots of cool displays and models of the geology, floral and fauna of the area. Even a large classroom for special events, demonstrations and lectures.
The hiking trails aren’t very long or particularly challenging but are fun, especially in the winter when everything is covered with snow. You pass by vernal pools, some cool boulders and get to check out the forest and creatures of a glacial moraine. The trails in the Visitor Center intersect several other well known trails in the area so you can extend your hiking to many hours if you wish.
The center is open 10 to 4 all year long and there is no admission charge but of course donations are gladly accepted. There is a large and well plowed parking lot that usually has plenty of space although on occasion school groups or special events can fill it. There is even a nice gift shop to spend money on books, maps, crummy t-​shirts and educational items.
Kettle Pond isn’t the largest hiking area around but is a cool place to learn about the unique kettle ponds of the area and see some cool wildlife and plants. Not a bad way to spend the day, especially if you a a person wishing to learn and connect with nature.