Category: Rhode Island

Know Your Enemy: The Most Dangerous Bugs in Rhode Island and How to Beat Them

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Rhode Island, Survival & PreparednessLeave a comment

I’ve spent my life preparing for disasters most people never think will happen. Fires, floods, storms, grid-down scenarios—those are the big ones. But the truth most folks don’t want to hear is this: sometimes the deadliest threats are the smallest. In the state of Rhode Island, you don’t need jungles, deserts, or exotic creatures to die from an insect encounter. All it takes is the wrong bite, the wrong sting, or the wrong moment of ignorance.

I don’t write this to scare you. I write this because knowledge saves lives—and if I had to choose between my life and yours, I’d choose yours without hesitation. Even if you were once my enemy. Survival isn’t about fear. It’s about respect for reality.

Let’s talk about the insects in Rhode Island that can, under the right circumstances, end a human life—and what you must do to stay alive.

1. Mosquitoes: The Silent Killers of New England

People laugh when I tell them mosquitoes are the most dangerous insect in Rhode Island. They shouldn’t. Mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths worldwide than any other animal—and Rhode Island is not immune.

The Real Danger

Mosquitoes in Rhode Island can carry serious diseases, including:

  • Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
  • West Nile Virus

EEE, while rare, is especially deadly. It attacks the brain and can cause severe neurological damage or death. Survival isn’t guaranteed, and those who live may never fully recover.

How to Stay Alive

  • Eliminate standing water around your home—gutters, buckets, birdbaths.
  • Wear long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk.
  • Use EPA-approved insect repellent.
  • Repair window and door screens immediately.
  • If you develop fever, headache, confusion, or stiff neck after mosquito exposure, seek medical help immediately.

Ignoring mosquito bites is how people die quietly.

2. Ticks: Slow Death Through Disease

Ticks are not insects—they’re arachnids—but they deserve a place on this list because they kill more Rhode Islanders than any spider ever will.

The Real Danger

The black-legged tick (deer tick) is common throughout Rhode Island. These ticks transmit:

  • Lyme disease
  • Anaplasmosis
  • Babesiosis

While Lyme disease itself is rarely immediately fatal, untreated infections can lead to heart complications, neurological damage, and immune system breakdown. Babesiosis, in particular, can be deadly in older adults or those with weakened immune systems.

How to Stay Alive

  • Perform full-body tick checks after outdoor activity.
  • Shower within two hours of being outdoors.
  • Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily.
  • Use permethrin-treated clothing or tick repellent.
  • Remove ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.

Time matters. The longer a tick feeds, the closer death creeps in.

3. Bees, Wasps, and Hornets: Death by Allergy

Most people survive bee and wasp stings. Some don’t. And when it goes wrong, it goes wrong fast.

The Real Danger

For individuals with severe allergies, a single sting can cause anaphylaxis—a rapid, life-threatening allergic reaction that can shut down the airway and drop blood pressure to fatal levels.

Yellowjackets and wasps are particularly aggressive in late summer and early fall. Unlike bees, they can sting multiple times.

How to Stay Alive

  • Know if you or family members have insect sting allergies.
  • Carry an epinephrine auto-injector if prescribed.
  • Avoid wearing strong fragrances outdoors.
  • Stay calm around flying insects—panic triggers attacks.
  • Seek emergency medical care immediately after signs of an allergic reaction.

I’ve seen strong men collapse in minutes. Don’t underestimate a sting.

4. Black Widow Spiders: Rare but Real

Rhode Island is not crawling with deadly spiders—but the black widow does exist here, though sightings are uncommon.

The Real Danger

Black widow venom attacks the nervous system. Bites are rarely fatal but can cause intense pain, muscle cramps, breathing difficulty, and dangerous complications in children, elderly individuals, or those with health conditions.

How to Stay Alive

  • Wear gloves when working in sheds, garages, or woodpiles.
  • Shake out shoes and clothing stored in dark places.
  • Seek medical care if bitten and symptoms worsen.

Survival means respecting even rare threats.

5. Fleas: The Forgotten Risk

Fleas aren’t just itchy—they’ve shaped human history.

The Real Danger

While plague is extremely rare in modern Rhode Island, fleas can still transmit serious bacterial infections and cause dangerous reactions in vulnerable individuals.

Pets that aren’t treated for fleas can bring risk directly into your home.

How to Stay Alive

  • Keep pets on veterinarian-approved flea prevention.
  • Wash bedding regularly.
  • Vacuum frequently.
  • Treat infestations immediately.

Neglect invites disaster.

Rhode Island’s Best Survival Rules I Live By—and You Should Too

If you remember nothing else, remember this:

  1. Small doesn’t mean harmless.
  2. Early action saves lives.
  3. Prevention is stronger than treatment.
  4. Respect nature—or pay for it.

I’ve trained for collapse scenarios that may never come. But insect threats are here every summer. Every backyard. Every walk in the woods.

If I could stand between you and danger, I would. Since I can’t, I give you this knowledge instead. Use it. Teach it. Pass it on.

Survival isn’t selfish. It’s a duty.

Stay alert. Stay prepared. Stay alive.

Rhode Island’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Rhode Island, Rhode Island's Worst Roads to DriveLeave a comment

Rhode Island’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster – and How to Survive Them

By a man who’s broken down in the Rockies, outrun a wildfire in California, and once crossed a frozen lake in Manitoba with nothing but a CB radio and a prayer, let me tell you something straight: driving during a disaster is a whole different beast. And if you’re in Rhode Island—small in size, dense in people, and loaded with pothole-riddled nightmares—you better be ready to adapt, react, and survive.

I’ve been through hurricanes, blizzards, and blackouts. And trust me, when the highways jam and the backroads crumble, knowing how to drive to stay alive is as vital as food and water.

Rhode Island’s Road Hazards in a Disaster

Rhode Island might be tiny, but it packs a punch in terms of infrastructure risk. Here’s a survivalist’s breakdown of the worst roads to avoid (or approach with extreme caution) during a disaster scenario:

  1. Route 95 through Providence – Traffic bottlenecks, overpasses, and congestion mean you’re sitting ducks in a bug-out situation. If it’s not gridlocked, it’s flooded.
  2. Route 10 Connector – Often under construction, and with poor visibility ramps, it becomes a chaos corridor during emergencies.
  3. Route 6 (Huntington Expressway) – Riddled with sharp curves and sudden exits, this road is a nightmare during high-stress evacuations.
  4. Post Road (Route 1) – Flood-prone and filled with commercial strip malls. Great for scavenging, terrible for escaping.
  5. Route 146 into North Smithfield – Lined with industrial traffic and overloaded bridges. Avoid it when supply trucks panic.
  6. Broad Street in Cranston/Pawtucket – Narrow, dense, and chaos incarnate when people start fleeing in masses.
  7. Hope Street in Bristol – Coastal, and the first to flood in a Nor’easter or storm surge.
  8. Putnam Pike (Route 44) – Beautiful, rural… and isolated. When tree limbs drop, you’re boxed in.
  9. West Main Road in Middletown – Connects to Navy installations, making it a prime security choke point during martial law or military lockdowns.
  10. Reservoir Avenue, Cranston – Urban traffic, tight intersections, and vulnerable power lines make this area high-risk.

15 Survival Driving Skills That’ll Save Your Life in a Disaster

When the time comes and you’re behind the wheel while the world burns, floods, or freezes, these 15 survival driving skills could make the difference between life and death:

  1. Situational Awareness – Constantly scan mirrors, gauges, and surroundings. Awareness buys time.
  2. Emergency Braking Control – Learn how to brake hard without skidding. Threshold braking on dry ground; pumping on wet.
  3. Navigating Without GPS – GPS dies, cell towers drop—so know your route by memory or use an offline map app.
  4. Driving with Blown Tires – Steer straight, ease off gas, don’t brake until speed drops. Then guide to a stop.
  5. Night Vision Tactics – Avoid high-beams in fog; use low beams and follow reflective markers or fog lines.
  6. Fuel Efficiency Driving – Feather the throttle, avoid sudden stops, and coast when safe. Every drop counts.
  7. Hand Signals and Horn Codes – In a convoy or with other survivors, use lights or horn taps to communicate.
  8. Underwater Escape – Unbuckle, roll down windows fast before electronics die. Kick windshield if submerged.
  9. Snow & Ice Maneuvers – Turn into the skid. Never slam brakes. Use snowbanks for controlled stops.
  10. Off-road Evasion – Know how to spot soft ground, use momentum to climb hills, and shift to low gear on declines.
  11. Avoiding Road Rage & Panic Drivers – Stay calm. Predict erratic movements. Don’t engage—evasion is your friend.
  12. Barricade Navigation – Reverse precision. Know how to three-point turn in tight quarters or go off-shoulder without getting stuck.
  13. Silent Movement – If needed, coast with the engine off on downhill terrain. Avoid noise to stay unnoticed.
  14. Improvised Lighting – Red LED headlamps or dimmed cabin lights help preserve night vision and avoid detection.
  15. Driving Through Floods – No more than six inches of water unless you know your air intake height. Go slow, steady—don’t create a wake.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You’re Out of Gas

You’re out of gas. Maybe siphoning stations got shut down, maybe your fuel cache got looted, or maybe you just pushed too far. Don’t panic. You still have options if you’ve got a brain, a toolkit, and a bit of know-how:

1. The Denatured Alcohol Boost (Alcohol Stove Fuel Hack)

If you have denatured alcohol (used in marine stoves or camping gear), you can use a small blend (ONLY in emergencies) to extend the remaining gasoline in a carbureted engine. Do not attempt this with fuel-injected or modern engines—older vehicles only.

  • Caution: This is extremely risky. Use only to limp to safety. Never exceed 10% mix. Filter everything.

2. Siphon from Lawn Equipment, Generators, or Boats

Emergency fuel isn’t just in cars. Mowers, snowblowers, backup generators, boats—all carry gasoline. Use a hand-siphon pump (avoid mouth siphoning) and a catch can. Keep a fuel transfer kit in your bug-out bag—small, cheap, priceless in a pinch.

3. Create a Gravity-Fed Drip Tank

If your vehicle fuel pump fails or you want to bypass a contaminated tank, rig a gravity-fed drip tank using a clean water jug, clear tubing, and a fuel filter. Mount it above the engine and feed it into the carburetor or fuel intake. This is makeshift, not efficient, but it can get your rig a few miles out of hell.

Surviving the Drive in Little Rhody

Driving through a disaster in Rhode Island is about threading the needle between panic, geography, and infrastructure failure. You’ve got bridges, tight urban corridors, a coastline that floods faster than your bathtub, and a population density that ensures traffic the minute the sirens wail.

So what do you do?

  • Pre-scout alternate routes—especially rural cut-throughs, utility paths, and even bike trails.
  • Keep a printed map in your glovebox. Mark fuel stations, water sources, and chokepoints.
  • Drive light. Weight kills speed and fuel economy. Strip non-essentials from your bug-out vehicle.
  • Keep a vehicle go-bag: Include fix-a-flat, siphon kit, battery jumper, headlamp, tire plug kit, and a collapsible fuel container.
  • Fill up every time you hit ¾ tank. Don’t wait till you’re low in a crisis zone.
  • Maintain your ride. That rusted-out ’98 Tacoma might be ugly, but if it runs clean and has high clearance, it’s better than a dead hybrid with a cracked battery.

When you know the roads like a survivalist knows his terrain, and you’ve trained behind the wheel as much as on the trail, you won’t need to hope—you’ll just drive. Smooth, quiet, and smart. Get out of Dodge—or Providence, in this case—and live to see another sunrise.

You’re not just driving. You’re surviving.

The Rhode Island Homestead Life: Not for the Weak, Lazy, or Whiny

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Rhode Island, Rhode Island Homestead LifestyleLeave a comment

You want the truth about homesteading in Rhode Island? Fine. Sit down, shut up, and listen. This ain’t some Instagram-filtered fantasy where you grow lavender in a teacup and get paid in likes. This is real life. This is New England grit. This is Rhode Island, baby—where the summers are muggy, the winters are ruthless, and land doesn’t come cheap. But guess what? If you’re tough, stubborn, and about half-crazy, you can build a life out here worth its weight in heirloom tomatoes.

You want a homestead in the smallest damn state in the Union? Then you’d better be big in skills, big in heart, and not afraid of breaking your damn back.

Let me tell you something first: homesteading is not a hobby. It’s not something you do because you saw a cute TikTok with someone in overalls making sourdough. It’s a lifestyle. A choice. A full-contact sport. And around here, it requires a thick skin, a sharp mind, and a chainsaw that starts on the first pull.

Here are 15 skills you’d better damn well learn if you want to make it here:

  1. Canning and Food Preservation – Your garden might explode in July, but if you don’t know how to can, dehydrate, or ferment, you’ll be eating sad supermarket mush all winter.
  2. Seed Starting – You think you’ll just buy plants every year? Not at $5 a seedling you won’t. Start your own, indoors, in March. Get a grow light or watch them get leggy and die.
  3. Composting – You’re gonna make a lot of waste. You can either send it to the landfill or turn it into black gold. Your choice.
  4. Basic Carpentry – Chicken coops, rabbit hutches, raised beds, fences—get used to cutting wood and smashing your thumb with a hammer. Don’t be a baby.
  5. Animal Husbandry – Chickens aren’t “easy pets.” They’re walking targets. Know how to feed them, deworm them, and protect them from hawks, foxes, and your neighbor’s stupid dog.
  6. Beekeeping – You want honey? You want pollination? Then suit up and get buzzing. And yes, you will get stung.
  7. Butchering – If you can’t stomach killing what you raise, go back to Whole Foods. Around here, we respect the animal by doing the hard part ourselves.
  8. Firewood Chopping and Stacking – Rhode Island winters don’t play around. Learn to wield a maul or invest in a log splitter. Stack it right, or your pile will rot before Thanksgiving.
  9. Rainwater Collection – Our water bills are outrageous. Set up a gutter system and start collecting rain in barrels before you cry over your next utility bill.
  10. Cooking From Scratch – You’ve got 20 pounds of squash. Now what? Better know a dozen ways to cook it or you’ll hate the sight of it by January.
  11. Wool Spinning/Knitting – You raise sheep? Great. Now learn what to do with all that fleece. Winter is long, and wool socks are gold.
  12. Cheesemaking – Got goats or a milk cow? Learn to turn that milk into something edible before it curdles in your fridge.
  13. Maple Syrup Tapping – You got sugar maples? Good. Drill those suckers in February, boil for days, and end up with half a pint of syrup. It’s worth it.
  14. Cold Storage Building – A root cellar is your best friend. You can’t can everything. Sometimes, you just need a cool, dry place to stash potatoes.
  15. Fence Repair – Rhode Island is wet. Wet means rot. Your fence posts will fail. Your goats will escape. Learn to fix it quick or kiss your veggies goodbye.

Three DIY Homestead Hacks that Actually Work:

Hack #1: Pallet Power Raised Beds
Find a stack of free pallets (they’re everywhere if you know where to look—ask your local hardware store). Tear ’em down, pull out the nails, and build yourself raised garden beds. Slap on a coat of linseed oil if you’re feeling fancy. Boom—free lumber, less backache, and no tilling nonsense.

Hack #2: 5-Gallon Chicken Waterer
Winter sucks. Your chicken water freezes solid. So take a 5-gallon bucket with a lid, install a few nipple waterers on the bottom, and place it on a heated base (cinderblock + heat lamp works in a pinch). No more lugging frozen pails. Your birds stay hydrated. You stay sane.

Hack #3: Trash-to-Treasure Cold Frame
Old windows are gold. People throw ‘em out constantly. Grab one, build a slanted box with scrap wood, and bam—you’ve got a cold frame. Start your spring greens 4 weeks early, extend your fall crops, and rub it in your neighbor’s face.

Now listen. Homesteading in Rhode Island ain’t like Montana or Texas. You can’t just buy 50 acres for a handshake and a case of beer. You’re gonna pay through the nose for an acre, and the zoning board might make you fight for every goat, rooster, and shed. So get familiar with local ordinances. Learn to schmooze the town clerk. Show up to meetings. Be the “crazy farm person” who knows the law better than the law.

And don’t even get me started on the pests. Deer? Everywhere. Groundhogs? Little demons. Ticks? Ubiquitous. Your garden needs fencing like Fort Knox, and every animal needs a roofed pen or they’re lunch. Coyotes don’t care if it’s cute. They’re hungry.

Then there’s the weather. Rhode Island gives you everything. Blizzard in March? Check. Hurricane in September? Check. A heatwave in May? Absolutely. If you don’t have backups on backups—extra tarps, a generator, a sump pump—you’re gonna get wiped out.

But here’s the flip side. The reason we do this. The reason we keep going even when our hands are cracked and our knees ache and we smell like manure:

We eat like kings. Real food. Fresh food. Food with soul. We drink coffee with cream from our own cow. We eat eggs so orange they look fake. We walk outside, grab dinner from the garden, and sleep like rocks under handmade quilts.

We live outside the system, at least partly. We don’t panic when the store shelves empty. We don’t need to door-dash crap food. We don’t care about trends—we’re too damn busy planting, building, harvesting, living.

So yeah, I’m angry. I’m angry because too many people think this life is just “cute” or “aesthetic.” It’s not. It’s dirty, it’s hard, and it will chew you up and spit you out if you’re not all-in.

But if you are? If you’ve got guts and you’re willing to earn every bite of food and every moment of peace?

Welcome to the real homestead life.

Here in Rhode Island—we may be small, but we’re fierce as hell.

Is Rhode Island’s Drinking Water Safe? — A Survivalist’s Rant and Guide to Water Filtration

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Rhode Island, Rhode Island Preppers, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Listen up, because I’m about to tell you why you cannot just blindly trust that tap water running out of your Rhode Island faucet is safe. People act like the government and their fancy water treatment plants are saints who deliver crystal-clear, perfectly safe water. I’m here to tell you that’s a goddamn fantasy. Rhode Island’s water infrastructure, like much of the country’s, is vulnerable — to contamination, aging pipes, and outright negligence. You want to survive in this world? You better get serious about your water filtration skills, or you’ll be gulping down toxins and pathogens while the world crumbles around you.

The Ugly Truth About Rhode Island’s Drinking Water

Rhode Island’s water sources include reservoirs, rivers, and groundwater. These sources are vulnerable to pollutants like agricultural runoff, industrial chemicals, and human waste. The state’s population density means lots of sewage and stormwater challenges. And let me tell you, old infrastructure — like rusty pipes and aging treatment plants — can fail, leaking lead, bacteria, and other nasties into your drinking supply.

Think Flint, Michigan. Think about what can happen if you depend solely on “official” water sources. Rhode Island’s water may meet legal standards right now, but those standards are often woefully inadequate, and enforcement can be spotty. One screw-up or disaster, and you’re drinking poison.

So, here’s the deal: whether you’re prepping for a full-scale collapse, a hurricane, or just a localized contamination event, you have to know how to filter and purify water like your life depends on it. Because it does.

15 Water Filtration Survival Skills You MUST Master

  1. Boiling Water Properly: The oldest and surest method. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute (or 3 minutes above 6,500 feet altitude). It kills bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Don’t skimp on this.
  2. Using a Portable Water Filter: Learn how to use pump filters, straw filters, or gravity filters. They remove protozoa and bacteria, but not viruses. Know which filters are virus-rated.
  3. Chemical Purification: Tablets or drops (iodine, chlorine, chlorine dioxide). Understand contact times, proper dosing, and the limits of chemicals.
  4. UV Light Purifiers: Portable UV devices zap pathogens with UV-C light. Great for clear water, but useless if water is murky.
  5. Building a DIY Charcoal Filter: Activated charcoal absorbs toxins and improves taste. Crush hardwood charcoal (not charcoal briquettes) and pack it into a filter.
  6. Using Sand and Gravel Filters: Layer sand, fine gravel, and coarse gravel in a container to physically filter out dirt and sediment before chemical or UV treatment.
  7. Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS): Use clear plastic bottles filled with water, exposed to full sunlight for at least 6 hours. UV rays help kill pathogens, but water must be clear.
  8. Improvised Cloth Filtering: Fold a clean cloth or bandana several times to filter out large debris and sediment before further purification.
  9. Distillation: Boil water, capture the steam on a clean surface, and collect it. Removes almost everything including salts and heavy metals.
  10. Avoiding Contaminated Sources: Learn to identify unsafe water — stagnant, discolored, foul-smelling, or near human/animal waste. Look for clear, flowing water upstream.
  11. Water Storage Hygiene: Use clean containers and cover water to avoid recontamination. Clean your storage vessels regularly.
  12. Recognizing Waterborne Illness Symptoms: Know signs like diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, and always treat water when unsure.
  13. Testing Water Quality: Use inexpensive test strips or kits for pH, chlorine, nitrates, and bacteria. Knowledge is power.
  14. Constructing a Biosand Filter: A slow sand filter with a biological layer to reduce pathogens in water. Takes time to set up but effective.
  15. Making a Solar Still: Dig a hole, place a container inside, cover with plastic, and weight down the center so condensation drips into the container. Extracts water from soil and vegetation.

3 DIY Survival Drinking Water Hacks When You’re Desperate

  1. Improvised Charcoal Filter Bottle Hack: Cut a plastic bottle in half, place a layer of clean cloth at the neck (acting like a filter), add activated charcoal, sand, and gravel in layers, then pour water through it. It’s not perfect, but it improves water quality drastically when you’re stuck in the wild.
  2. Grass Transpiration Water Collection: Tie a plastic bag tightly around a leafy branch. The plant’s transpiration will fill the bag with water droplets overnight. This water is relatively clean but still boil or treat it before drinking.
  3. Ice Melt Water Harvesting: In cold environments, collect ice or snow (avoid yellow or dirty snow), then melt it. Ice melt is generally safer than unfiltered surface water but should still be purified.

Why You Can’t Just Trust “Official” Water Safety Reports

Government reports and municipal assurances are often overly optimistic or outright misleading. Contaminants like lead and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been found in Rhode Island water at alarming levels in recent years. PFAS are “forever chemicals” linked to cancer, immune system damage, and other health problems. These aren’t regulated tightly enough, and they often fly under the radar.

When disaster strikes — like flooding, industrial accidents, or aging pipe failures — water contamination skyrockets. Water treatment plants can be overwhelmed or fail entirely. When that happens, you’re on your own.

Don’t Be a Sitting Duck — Prepare NOW

I don’t care if you live in a shiny apartment in Providence or a cabin in the woods. Your survival depends on your ability to source, filter, and purify drinking water without trusting anyone else’s assurances. Buy a solid water filter, learn to boil properly, keep chemical purifiers on hand, and practice these skills until they’re second nature.

If you wait for the government or utilities to save you, you’re screwed.

Final Warning: Water Is Life — Don’t Drink Death

You think water is just water? Hell no. Water is either life or death, depending on what’s in it. You drink bad water, you get sick. You get sick, you don’t survive.

Learn these filtration skills. Test your water. Build your own filters. Boil like your life depends on it — because it does.

Rhode Island’s water might look fine, but when push comes to shove, it’s your knowledge and preparation that will keep you alive.

If you want me to help you with specific instructions on any of these filtration methods or more DIY survival water hacks, just say the word. I’m here to make sure you don’t end up drinking poison because you trusted the system to keep you safe. Because it won’t.

These Hiking Trails in Rhode Island Are Stunning—But Deadly

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Best Hiking Trails in Rhode Island, Rhode IslandLeave a comment

Listen up, fellow trailblazers. You might think Rhode Island—the smallest state in the Union—is all cozy coastlines, clam chowder, and Newport mansions. But you’d be dead wrong to underestimate what this pint-sized powerhouse has to offer. For those of us who live for the crunch of gravel under boots, the slap of wind against our faces, and the ever-present thrill of the unknown, Rhode Island is a rugged gem hidden in plain sight.

But here’s the thing: beautiful can be brutal. And Rhode Island’s trails? Some of them are downright deadly if you don’t respect the terrain, the weather, or your own limitations.

I’m not trying to scare you. I’m trying to prepare you. As a survivalist and backcountry junkie who’s logged thousands of miles, I’ve learned the hard way that even a “moderate” hike can turn south faster than a dropped compass if you’re not mentally and physically squared away.

So, pack your bug-out bag, lace your boots tight, and double-check that med kit. Here are the top 20 hiking trails in Rhode Island that are stunning—but deadly if you go in unprepared.

Hiking Trails: Rhode Island Trails

1. Arcadia Trail (Arcadia Management Area, Exeter)

Rhode Island’s largest recreational area is home to some beastly terrain. With multiple connecting trails, it’s easy to get lost. Bring a paper map—GPS cuts out in the dense forest.

2. Breakheart Pond Loop (Arcadia Management Area)

Don’t let the serene name fool you. The path is riddled with roots and slick rocks, especially after rain. Twisted ankles are a common souvenir. Bring trekking poles and a good headlamp—you may need it.

3. North-South Trail (Statewide)

This 78-mile beast slices through the whole state. You’ll pass bogs, boulder fields, and remote forest—some of which feel like time forgot them. Misjudge your pace, and you could be sleeping with coyotes.

4. Buck Hill Management Area Trails (Burrillville)

Bordering Connecticut and Massachusetts, this area is prime bear country. Not to mention ticks are everywhere. DEET up and carry bear spray. Yes, even in Rhode Island.

5. Pachaug Trail Loop (Mostly in CT, edges into RI)

Remote and rocky, this one eats trail runners for breakfast. The rocks hold moisture year-round, so wear high-traction footwear or risk a face-plant.

6. Jerimoth Hill (Foster)

Don’t laugh. It’s the highest point in Rhode Island. While the trail itself is short, the surrounding woods are dense and disorienting. Easy to wander off-path, especially in fog.

7. Long Pond Woods Trail (Hopkinton)

Staggering views—but they come at a price. Cliffs and ledges make this trail one misstep away from disaster. Watch your footing and don’t go alone.

8. Ben Utter Trail to Stepstone Falls (Exeter)

Gorgeous waterfalls, but the trail can become a muddy, root-riddled obstacle course. You’ll need waterproof boots and solid balance. Too many people forget that water crossings can turn deadly.

9. Tippecansett Trail (Arcadia Management Area)

Remote and overgrown in parts. You’ll need a compass and a solid sense of direction—don’t rely on your phone. Signal can vanish when you least expect it.

10. DuVal Trail (South Kingstown)

It looks simple on a map, but don’t underestimate the terrain shifts. Rocky scrambles and sudden drops make this a great place to snap an ankle if you’re not paying attention.

11. Tillinghast Pond Trail (West Greenwich)

Poison ivy, snapping turtles, and aggressive mosquitoes are the least of your worries. This area floods easily, and trail markers are faint. Bring a topo map and check the weather.

12. Rome Point Trail (North Kingstown)

Great ocean views, but the tide can creep up faster than you’d believe. People have been caught off guard and stranded. Know your tide tables or stay inland.

13. Carr’s Pond and Tarbox Pond Trail (West Greenwich)

Thick brush, snakes, and aggressive hornets in summer. Don’t skimp on long sleeves and bug netting. One sting in the wrong place and you’re in trouble if you’re not close to help.

14. Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge (Exeter)

Beautiful, sure. But the trail system is confusing and poorly marked. Take the wrong fork and you could be bushwhacking your way out as the sun sets.

15. Fort Nature Refuge (North Smithfield)

The marshes here are treacherous, and the boardwalks are slick when wet. One wrong step and it’s a dunk in bacteria-infested water. Bring dry socks and iodine tabs.

16. Carolina Management Area Trails (Richmond)

Hunting is allowed here in season—always wear orange. Mistaking you for a deer isn’t just something out of a bad joke. Gunshots in the distance are real. Be alert.

17. Diamond Hill Trail (Cumberland)

Steep ascents and loose gravel make this a risky choice after rain. The summit offers a panoramic view, but getting up there can feel like scaling a washed-out fire road.

18. Blackstone River Bikeway (Various Towns)

You’d think a paved path would be safe, right? Wrong. Bikers fly past at unsafe speeds, and some areas get shady at dusk—human threats can be as real as nature’s. Don’t go without situational awareness.

19. Norman Bird Sanctuary Trails (Middletown)

Cliff Walk views and soaring hawks distract you from the edge of very real drop-offs. Great place for photos—terrible place to lose your balance.

20. Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge (Middletown)

Salt air, sweeping ocean views—and very little shelter from the elements. Sudden storms out of the Atlantic can roll in like a freight train. Know your escape route.

Final Word from the Trail

Look, I’m not saying you need to bring a firestarter kit, trauma shears, and an emergency bivy every time you walk your dog—but you do need to respect these trails. Rhode Island may not have the Rockies or the Sierra Nevadas, but its trails come with their own brand of danger: tight paths with poor visibility, unpredictable weather, and a false sense of security.

Too many day hikers roll out with sneakers and a bottle of water, then wonder why they’re lost, limping, or bug-bitten to hell by mile three. Don’t be that person.

Plan. Prepare. Respect the wild.

And remember: survival isn’t about fear—it’s about mindset. The best time to get ready is before you hit the trail.

Stay wild. Stay sharp.

—Ranger G, your friendly neighborhood prepper-hiker