Plan Your Visit

Goddard Memorial State Park is free and open every day from sunrise to sunset, with restrooms, a seasonal beach bathhouse and lifeguards, picnic sites, a nine-hole golf course, bridle trails and a boat ramp. Plan ahead for three things: picnic tables need a permit from April 1 to October 31, golf tee times are by phone only, and dogs are not allowed on the beach from April 1 to September 30.

Restrooms and Facilities

DEM lists restroom facilities at Goddard, and its site rental map shows two restroom buildings on the park road: one by picnic Areas 1 and 2 near the entrance end, and one by Area 6 and Shelter F. The City of Warwick's description of the park also lists restrooms for people with disabilities, a beach bathhouse, concession stands, a public phone and an information point. The bathhouse and concessions are seasonal.

Accessibility

DEM lists an accessible boat ramp and stroller-friendly paths, and the City of Warwick lists restrooms for the disabled. The park road loops around the golf course and reaches every picnic field, so you can drive to the site you rented. Rhode Island waives golf fees for people with disabilities with proper identification (carts are regular price). For other accessibility questions, call the office at (401) 884-2010, ext. 1.

What to Bring

• Food and water. The city lists concession stands, but they are seasonal; bring your own for an off-season visit.
• Trash bags. All trash at Goddard is carry in, carry out, according to the City of Warwick's page on the park.
• Charcoal or wood if you plan to use a site's fireplace (fires only in designated areas).
• Closed-toe shoes if you plan to ride with C and L Stables.
• A leash of six feet or less for your dog.
• Cash or a card for golf; mobile payments are not accepted at the course.

When to Go

• Beach: the bathing season runs from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, with lifeguards from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. as staffing allows. Searches for the beach peak in July.
• Golf: searches peak in June. The 2026 season ended early on September 20; 2027 dates were not posted as of October 2026.
• Horseback riding: C and L Stables lists rides Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The equestrian area runs April 1 to November 30.
• Picnics: permits April 1 to October 31; after that, first come, first served and free.
• Off season: the park stays open; the city also lists ice skating among the park's activities.

Things to Do

• The beach — free, non-surf saltwater beach with seasonal lifeguards.
• Golf course — Rhode Island's only state-run course, nine holes.
• Horseback riding — guided rides on 18 miles of bridle trails.
• Picnic areas — 156 rentable sites and four shelters.
• Carousel & weddings — the Carousel Performing Arts Center.
• Trails & walking — bridle trails, lawns and specimen-tree groves.
• Fishing & boating — saltwater fishing and an accessible boat ramp.
• Naturalist Station — DEM lists a naturalist station among Goddard's amenities as part of its RI Parks naturalist program.

Phone Numbers

• Park office and reservations: (401) 884-2010, ext. 1 (office hours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Golf course tee times (seasonal): (401) 884-9834
• Beach bathhouse (seasonal): (401) 884-9620
• Ranger headquarters (seasonal): (401) 884-0088
• C and L Stables: 401-886-5246
• RIDOH beach water-quality line: 401-222-2751

Seasonal numbers are from the City of Warwick's listing for the park.

Getting There

The park is at 1095 Ives Road in the Potowomut section of Warwick. From Providence the city's directions are I-95 south to Route 4 south, the East Greenwich exit, right onto Division Street, then Route 1 south and the signs. Parking is free; see parking and directions.

Make a Day of It in Warwick

Warwick has more waterfront within a short drive: Oakland Beach, Warwick City Park, Rocky Point State Park, Conimicut Lighthouse and historic Pawtuxet Village. See things to do in Warwick.