Neutaconkanut Hill, The Highest Point in Providence 

I have to admit, when I planned to hike to the highest point in Providence I didn’t have great expectations.

 I thought I would climb a steep incline to the summit and scale back down, half hour/forty minutes tops. I presumed there would be a pointy hill that allowed access to lovely vista for a photo op and I’d check this destination off my list of places to visit. I mean, it’s a hill in Providence, right?

Boy was I wrong!!

Neutaconkanut is the highest point in Providence and it does offer a spectacular panoramic view of the capitol city. The hill itself is flanked by a Providence recreation center that includes a skate park, pool, playground and ball fields.

The day I hiked the trails,  we made a beeline for the summit and took many pictures of the city. There is a clearing at the top that is perfect for picnics, btw. We then consulted the posted map and decided to find the Hidden Swamp. Along the way, we found two boardwalks, the King monument, two Camaros, and stairs built by the Works Progress Administration. We did find the swamp and it was enchanting! 

Although it is the highest point in Providence, the hike is not too difficult. There are clearly marked paths with some roots and protruding rocks to be wary of, making it easy to take in the scenery.

The Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy manages the hill and its many trails. I will definitely be returning as the seasons change.

About The Author

Christina is a life long Rhode Islander who has been dedicated to mission-driven human services work. A mother of two, she recycles, composts, and runs her household with solar energy. An animal lover and a world traveler, this bon vivant has jumped out of a plane, bungee jumped (twice!), run over the Newport Bridge, swum across Narragansett Bay, and penguin plunged.

This post has been updated from one that has appeared previously on the site.