Napatree Point Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Swimming · Views · Wildlife

This trail makes for a great beach hike around Napatree Point. Park as you can in the Watch Hill "downtown" and head past the yacht club. I start on the bay side with its gentle beach and calm waters. There is a lot of wildlife and beautiful views on this mostly easy beachside trail, including several nesting areas (off the beach/trail) of vulnerable birds.

The first 1.5 miles is on dry or wet beach sand (depending on tide and preference). The next .5 mile is on singletrack through marsh grass. The .25 mile that rounds the point is a technical scramble across boulders and medium sized rocks before emerging again onto smooth beach of Watch Hill which is excellent for sunrises and sunsets.

Timing your hike wth tidal cycles and seasons makes the hike a bit different each time. The Napatree Conservation Area is a real gem. Be sure to enjoy the osprey, falcons, egrets, herons, a wide variety of shore birds along wth the occasional deer and raccoon. Dogs are permitted, but from May 2nd until Labor Day restricted to 6 pm till 8 am. If you do hike with your dog, be sure to keep it on the trail as there are sensitive shorebird nesting areas just off the beach.

Osprey, falcons, egrets, herons, a wide variety of shore birds along wth the occasional deer and raccoon. Wild roses grow beside the trail in some places.