Visit the Hidden Gem Small Town Right Next Door to Snake Den State Park

There's so much to love about Snake Den State Park in Johnston, Rhode Island. With 1,000 acres of protected land with woods, hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and a working farm, it's a fascinating Rhode Island state park to explore. If you plan to spend time in this part of Northern Rhode Island, there's a small town near Snake Den State Park that makes a fantastic home base for exploring the park over a few days. Welcome to Scituate, Rhode Island!

Why This Town is the Perfect Base for Snake Den State Park

Northern Rhode Island doesn't get all the love it deserves. While there are no coastal beaches with the Atlantic Ocean's waves lapping at the shore, it's more rural and therefore much quieter than the southern reaches of the state where tourists flock in droves. This is where you'll find Snake Den State Park, named for the stone canyon-like outcrop that curves through the park like a snake.

Snake Den State Park in Johnston, a sizeable town of nearly 31,000 people, offers 1,000 acres of hiking trails with towering trees and wildflowers, along with Dame Farm and Orchard, a 7th-generation family-run farm, open seasonally for U-pick. There are approximately 15 miles of trails, including the moderate 7.6-mile Orange Trail, as well as the 2.5-mile Snake Den North Loop and the 2.8-mile Snake Den Lower Loop, both rated as easy on AllTrails. If you're planning to spend more than a day hiking here and would like to visit a small town near Snake Den State Park, I highly recommend Scituate, just a few miles away.

Small-town Scituate borders Johnston and is as quaint and charming as can be, easy for an afternoon of slow travel after hiking and exploring Snake Den State Park. Central to this town in Northern Rhode Island is the Scituate Reservoir, the largest inland body of water in Rhode Island, which provides drinking water for over 60 percent of the state.

While rural, Scituate, with its population of over 10,000, is just a 15-20-minute drive from our capital city, so you can enjoy the town's peaceful pace without a long drive to amenities.

What To Do in Scituate

Scituate isn't as bustling as the neighboring town of Johnston, but there are still plenty of things to see, do, and experience. The town is historic, dating back to 1710 when settlers from Scituate, Massachusetts, moved here. Once considered a part of Providence, it was incorporated as a town in 1731. With nearly 300 years of history, remnants of the past remain, creating a time capsule of sorts for those who visit. To view a few historical sites, take a walk around historic North Scituate along historic U.S. Route 6. Here, you'll find the 19th-century Old Congregational Church, the Village Green, the Scituate Bandstand, and other historic architecture.

For the best views of Scituate Reservoir, take a scenic drive along Route 6, which is especially beautiful at sunset. No hiking, swimming, or boating is allowed in the reservoir, so driving is the best way to experience its grandeur. Farms are abundant in Scituate as well, and it's best to time your visit with the fall season for apple picking, farm-fresh cider, and pumpkin picking. The fall season has always been my favorite time of year to visit this quaint Rhode Island town, especially for the annual Scituate Art Festival held at the Village Green in October.

This small town also offers plenty of dining options, including Cindy's Diner and Restaurant on Hartford Ave., a retro 1950s-style eatery that will take you back in time. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it's American comfort classics at their finest! For a sweet treat, grab an ice cream sundae, ice cream cookie sandwich, or Belgian waffle from Trackers Ice Cream and Confections at Village Plaza Way.

Where To Stay Near Snake Den State Park

Although there is no camping at this state park, there are plenty of places if you're looking for where to stay near Snake Den State Park. George Washington State Campground and Management Area in nearby Chepachet is a great option for those who'd like to camp and explore another Northern Rhode Island park at the same time. Throughout this 4,000-acre camping area are 74 designated primitive campsites for RVs or tents, as well as hike-in sites, two group campsites, and four cabins.

For those who prefer the comforts of home in a vacation rental, the Artist Studio in the Woods is a funky bohemian-style studio suite featuring woodland views, a koi pond, a private deck, kitchenette, and outdoor dining. The 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom Woodland Retreat ranch-style home is another wonderful option if you need more space. With room for up to eight guests, this luxurious retreat offers privacy in a quiet neighborhood and comfort-driven amenities.

What To Know Before You Go to Snake Den State Park

Parking at Snake Den State Park is available in a small lot past Dame Farm on Brown Avenue in Johnston. There is no fee. As with any visit to a park, practice Leave No Trace principles, and come prepared with proper clothing and footwear, plenty of water, and sun protection. Additionally, you should always check the weather for storms or heat advisories if you plan on hiking. AllTrails+ is a great app to have on your phone for trail conditions, directions, offline maps, and more.

Have you visited Snake Den State Park yet? How about Scituate, one of the best towns near state parks? Between its scenery and small-town charm, it's certainly worth spending time here, especially to experience a slower pace away from the bustling cities and tourist areas of the Ocean State.

Visit the Rhode Island State Parks website for Snake Den State Park location information and a map. For more underrated destinations across the state, discover Richmond, a remote hidden-gem town in Rhode Island.