Horseback Riding at Goddard Park

You can ride horses at Goddard Memorial State Park with C and L Stables, a guided trail-riding business based in the park that RI DEM lists among Goddard's amenities. Rides go out on the park's 18 miles of bridle trails, start at $45, are open to riders aged 7 and up, and should be booked by phone at 401-886-5246. The stable lists its hours as Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Rides and What They Cost

C and L Stables lists four guided rides on its website (prices as posted in October 2026; call to confirm):

• Bayside Group Ride — $65. About two miles, mostly at a walk, with the option to trot at the guide's discretion. The stable calls it great for beginners and anyone who has never ridden. You ride with other guests.
• Private Bayside Ride — $85. About 2¾ miles and guaranteed private. Trotting and cantering are possible at the guide's discretion; some riding experience is required.
• Beach Ride — $125. An hour and a half to an hour and forty-five minutes, guaranteed private, at a walk, trot and canter. Intermediate to advanced riders only. Times depend on the tide, the weather and beach conditions.
• Birthday Party, Girl Scout and Boy Scout Ride — $45. A 45- to 50-minute walk-only ride for children aged 7 to 12, with a minimum of six riders.

The stable also offers a summer camp for children, riding lessons, and horse rentals for photo shoots and filming.

Booking and Paying

The stable asks riders to call to make reservations: it describes itself as a high-volume business that cannot always take walk-ins. It accepts cash, debit and credit cards, with a 4% charge added for card payments. Guides accept tips.

What to Wear and Bring

• Closed-toe shoes. No flip-flops or sandals; the stable will not let you ride in them.
• Dress for cooler air. Part of each ride runs along the water, and the stable warns it can be ten degrees cooler on the trails.
• A helmet. Helmets are encouraged on every ride and required for anyone who trots or canters. The stable has a selection to borrow, or bring your own.

Who Runs the Rides

C and L Stables was founded in 2003 by Lee Phillips, who has since taken on a partner, Danielle Duchesneau. The stable says it matches each rider to a horse by ability, from absolute beginners to advanced riders, and that its guides explain trail riding as you go. It is a private business operating in the park; DEM links to it from the Goddard park page.

Riding Your Own Horse

Goddard has long been a riding park: DEM's history notes that, like Lincoln Woods, it offered horseback riding when it joined the state's park system. If you bring your own horse, state rules keep horses to designated areas and bridle trails. The Goddard Memorial Equestrian Area operates from April 1 to November 30 and must be reserved in that window. The City of Warwick's listing describes the equestrian show area as a fenced corral with water and a portable restroom. State park fees for groups with a special use permit are $30 a day or $100 a season. Contact the park office at (401) 884-2010, ext. 1.

Sharing the Trails

Walkers, runners and dog owners use the same 18 miles of trails. If you are on foot, step aside and let horses pass; if you are riding, slow down around walkers and dogs. More on walking the trails is on the trails page.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: first-time riders (the $65 Bayside Group Ride), children's parties and scout groups, and experienced riders who want a private ride on the beach.

Maybe skip if: your child is under 7, the stable's minimum age, or you plan to arrive on a Monday or Tuesday, when the stable lists itself as closed.