Ninigret Pond
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Entry fee: No entrance fee for Ninigret NWR trails. Ninigret Pond is a lake cove in Washington County, Rhode Island.
Closures and warnings
RI NWR Complex rules: swimming and sunbathing are not permitted on the refuge. Stay on designated trails. Ocean swimming is at nearby DEM East Beach / town beaches, not on refuge lands. As of September 30, 2026.
Before you swim
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Water type | Lake cove |
| Water clarity | Largest southern Rhode Island coastal salt pond; barrier beach separates the pond from Block Island Sound. |
Access
| Parking | Ninigret Park / Grassy Point access off Old Post Road (Route 1A), Charlestown; lot a short walk from the kayak launch. |
|---|---|
| Fee | No entrance fee for Ninigret NWR trails; ExploreRI: Grassy Point launch open free of charge year-round. |
| Hours | Refuge trails open sunrise to sunset. |
| Managed by | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge) / Town of Charlestown shoreline |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Note | Restrooms at the Grassy Point parking area; USFWS kayak launch on the salt pond. |
- Grassy Point kayak launch boat launch : USFWS launch beach; drop-off via access road from the parking area.
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Not allowed |
| Fires | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Ninigret Pond open?
RI NWR Complex rules: swimming and sunbathing are not permitted on the refuge. Stay on designated trails. Ocean swimming is at nearby DEM East Beach / town beaches, not on refuge lands. As of September 30, 2026. Hours: Refuge trails open sunrise to sunset.
Can you swim at Ninigret Pond?
No, swimming is not allowed at Ninigret Pond.
How do you get to Ninigret Pond?
Parking: Ninigret Park / Grassy Point access off Old Post Road (Route 1A), Charlestown; lot a short walk from the kayak launch.
Is there a fee at Ninigret Pond?
The fee is No entrance fee for Ninigret NWR trails; ExploreRI: Grassy Point launch open free of charge year-round.
What facilities are at Ninigret Pond?
Restrooms and a boat launch. Restrooms at the Grassy Point parking area; USFWS kayak launch on the salt pond.
What are the rules at Ninigret Pond?
Dogs are not allowed, camping is not allowed, and fires are not allowed.
Nearby
Public land
Just outside: Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge (0.5 mi) .
Sources
4
- https://exploreri.org/documents/watertrailmaps/SPC_ninigret.pdf (accessed September 30, 2026; backs waterbodyName, access.parking / boatLaunches / amenities.restrooms, access.fee, swimmerNotes.waterType / waterClarityNote)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ninigret/visit-us (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager, access.hours, rules.dogs)
- https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Ninigret%20NWR%20Salt%20Pond%20Trail%20Map.pdf (accessed September 30, 2026; backs rules.fires / rules.camping)
- https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/RIComplexBrochure_0.pdf (accessed September 30, 2026; backs swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed false / hazardNote)