Ah, summer in Rhode Island. The sunny season is the perfect time of year — we are on an island, after all! If you have free time, make sure to get out and explore our own beautiful backyard. Spending all day at the beach and watching the waves roll toward the shore never gets old. However, you don’t have to go to the Atlantic Ocean to have a great time! There are plenty of coastal lagoons, natural lakes, and man-made lakes in Rhode Island that are worth exploring. Here are a few of our favorite Rhode Island lakes that are perfect for a warm summer day:

1. Wallum Lake: Burrillville, RI
Wallum Lake, United States
Wikipedia/John Phellan
Wallum Lake is located right on the Massachusetts border in Burrillville. We actually share some of the lake with our neighbors. Fishing and boating are extremely popular activities here. The lake has not one, but three boat ramps, so there's plenty of easy access to be found. It's one of the best places for kayaking in Rhode Island.
2. Boone Lake: Exeter, RI
Boone Lake Road, Boone Lake Rd, Exeter, RI 02822, USA
Luis Rivera / Google
Here's the bad news: the 47-acre Boone Lake is private. Typically, it's only accessible to residents of the nearby community. However, there are plenty of rental properties available nearby. If you rent one of the lakeside vacation homes for a weekend getaway, you'll have full access to this beautiful lake. Rest assured, it's more than worth it!
3. Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park: Lincoln, RI
Olney Pond, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA
Adam Lynch / Flickr
Lincoln Woods State Park is such a magical place! Tucked away in the northeast corner of the state, Olney Pond is one of the highlights of this state park. There's a beach area (complete with lifeguards), a boat ramp, a fishing dock, and plenty of picnic tables available. This spot has something for everyone!

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4. Pascoag Reservoir: Providence County, RI
Pascoag Reservoir, Rhode Island, USA
Pascoag Reservoir, Pascoag RI / Facebook
Pascoag Reservoir is also known as Echo Lake. It's one of the best places for fishing in Rhode Island. The water quality here is fantastic, so it's also a perfect spot for swimming or water sports. There's even a campground nearby, so it's a great option for a weekend getaway!

Check out this awesome aerial tour of Echo Lake:
5. Bowdish Lake Camping Area: 40 Safari Trail, Chepachet, RI 02814
Bowdish Lake Camping Area, 40 Safari Trail, Chepachet, RI 02814, USA
Bowdish Lake Camping Area / Facebook
Bowdish Lake is located in Chepachet and conveniently comes with its own camping area. There are actually two nearby, so there are multiple options for overnight stays. The 226-acre lake is popular for fishing, but we just love to relax on the banks on a warm day. The summer sunrises here are incredible!
6. Worden Pond: South Kingstown, RI
Worden Pond, South Kingstown, RI, USA
Fr. Peter Martyr Yungwirth / alltrails.com
It would be a crime to omit Worden Pond from a list like this! This massive lake spans 1,042 acres and sits in the southeastern part of Rhode Island. People go fishing here all year long, but it's particularly pleasant in the summer. It's the largest natural lake in Rhode Island and it's such a beautiful place.

How many of these lakes in Rhode Island have you visited? Make sure to take the time to see some of them this summer. These lakes tend to be less crowded than the ocean beaches and are just as beautiful.

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More to Explore

Lakes In Rhode Island

Lisa Sammons | May 18, 2022

What are the best beaches in Rhode Island?

There's certainly a reason we're known as the Ocean State!

  • Whether you're looking for lakes in Rhode Island or oceanfront beaches, there are plenty of sandy spots here to enjoy. One of our favorites is Narragansett Beach.

 

What are some great swimming holes in Rhode Island?

There are plenty of spots to swim in Rhode Island: we are an island with 400 miles of coastline, after all! Some of our favorite swimming holes include:

  • Ninigret Pond and
  • Potter's Pond. There's nothing better than cooling off in a natural swimming hole on a muggy day!

 

Are there any water parks in Rhode Island?

We've got a few great water parks in Rhode Island and one of the best is Yawgoo Water Park in Exeter. This family-friendly attraction is perfect for a summer day.

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