Picnic Areas & Shelters

Picnicking at Goddard Memorial State Park needs a permit from April 1 to October 31: Rhode Island's rules say no one may use a picnic table at Goddard without one. RI DEM rents 156 picnic sites, four covered shelters and 11 fields there, from $10 to $100 a day, by phone at (401) 884-2010, ext. 1. From November 1 to March 31, every table is first come, first served and free.

How Reserving Works

• When: reservations are required from April 1 to October 31. DEM's map says they are accepted from the first business day of the year for the coming season.
• How: call the Goddard park office at (401) 884-2010, ext. 1.
• Paying: DEM requires payment within 10 business days of booking, by cash, check or money order. You get a permit once payment arrives. Unpaid reservations are cancelled, and permit fees are non-refundable.
• Groups and events: whatever the season, DEM asks organised groups to contact the office (or Felicia.Celeberto@dem.ri.gov) to find out whether the event needs a special use permit.
• Off season: outside April 1 to October 31 all areas are first come, first served with no rental fee.

Every Site and Its Price

From DEM's Goddard site rental map (revised January 2025). Fields include a playing field; most sites have a fireplace.

Near the entrance and permit office

• Field A — $50: 6 tables, a field, a fireplace.
• Gazebo B — $95: the gazebo, a field, a fireplace.
• Field C — $50: 6 tables, a field, a fireplace.
• Field D — $70: 10 tables, a field, a fireplace.
• Field E — $70: 10 tables, a field, a fireplace.
• Area 1 and Area 2 — $60 each: 8 tables, a field, a fireplace.
• Public Convenience Site — $10: 2 tables and a fireplace, beside a restroom.

Along the shore side of the golf course

• Area 3 — $20: 4 tables, a fireplace.
• Areas 4, 5 and 6 — $30 each: 6 tables, a fireplace.
• Shelter F and Shelter G — $100 each: a covered shelter and a fireplace.
• Area 7 — $60: 8 tables, a field, a fireplace.

At the far end of the park

• Fields H, I and J — $60 each: 8 tables, a field, a fireplace.
• Areas 8, 9 and 10 — $50 each: 6 tables, a field, a fireplace.
• Fields K and L — $70 each: 10 tables, a field, a fireplace.
• Picnic Shelter — $75: 10 tables under a shelter, no fireplace.

Same day only

• Oak Picnic Grove, sites 1–10 — $10 per site, 2 tables each.
• Maple Picnic Grove, sites 11–16 — $10 per site, 2 tables each.

The park map page explains where each letter and number sits. The carousel pavilion is rented separately for $350 a day; see the carousel page.

Same-Day Picnics

If you decide on a picnic the morning of a hot day, the Oak and Maple groves are the sites DEM marks as same-day rentals, at $10 a site with two tables. They sit at the far end of the park road from the entrance, among Fields H to L.

Grills and Fireplaces

Most rentable sites include a fireplace, and the City of Warwick lists fireplaces among the park's facilities. State rules allow open fires, including charcoal, only in designated areas or with written permission, and from March 15 to May 15 no open fire is allowed between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. without a burning permit from the local fire department. Make sure coals are out before you leave.

Rules for Picnickers

• No alcohol in Rhode Island state parks.
• Carry in, carry out: the City of Warwick's page on the park says all trash is carry in, carry out.
• Dogs must be leashed (six feet or less), and are not allowed on the beach April 1 to September 30.
• Sunset closing applies to picnics too.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: birthday parties and reunions (a 10-table field for $70), family cookouts with a playing field, and same-day picnics in the groves.

Maybe skip if: you want a waterfront table with no booking — in season every table needs a permit, so book early or use a same-day grove site.