Barn Island Wildlife Management Area


Canoeists, kayakers, hikers and birders enjoy over 300 acres of salt- and freshwater marshes at Barn Island. Inhabited by hundreds of species of bird (it's designated an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society), 4 miles of hiking trails snake between placid pools and reed beds and offer beautiful views over Little Narragansett Bay and Wequetequock Cove. A dog-lover's delight.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Bricks & Murals

1.21 MILES

An international artists' collective created this series of 15 murals depicting the shared history of Pawcatuck and cross-river Westerly, from sporting…

2. Saltwater Farm Vineyard

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Housed in a striking 1930s aluminum airport hangar, Saltwater Farm is one of the newest vineyards in Connecticut. Surrounded by tidal marshes and cooled…

3. Velvet Mill

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This community arts center hosts a weekend farmers market (10am to 1pm Saturday, October to May) and an artisan/vendor market (10am to 4pm Saturday and…

4. Watch Hill

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A 5-mile drive southwest of Westerly town center, you'll come to the cloistered community known as Watch Hill, where New York's rich and/or famous have…

5. Watch Hill Beach

2.1 MILES

This small, calm beach adjacent to the Flying Horses Carousel has lovely change facilities and is suited to families with small children.

6. Flying Horses Carousel

2.14 MILES

This antique merry-go-round has been in this location since 1883. It boasts a unique design: its horses are suspended on chains so that they really do …

7. East Beach

2.2 MILES

This fine beach is in front of the Ocean House hotel. It stretches for several miles from the Watch Hill lighthouse all the way to Misquamicut, with the…

8. Captain Nathaniel Palmer House

2.31 MILES

The 16-room Captain Nathaniel Palmer House is one of the finest houses in town and the former home of the first American to see the continent of…