Where are the
Seals?
The John H. Chafee State Park at Rome Point is
located on Route 1A (Boston Neck Road) a mile north of where
Route 138 crosses under Boston Neck Road on the west side of
the Narragansett Bay. From Warwick and points north, as well
as from the southern Rhode Island coast, take Route 4(1) to
138 east. If you are coming from the west or Connecticut via
Route 95, take Route 138 east towards Jamestown/Newport.
Get off Route 138 at the Route 1A exit, this is the
last exit before the Jamestown bridge. Turn left at
the end of the exit, heading north on Boston Neck Road.
The public access
gravel parking area is located on the right side of the road
about one mile north of the Route 138 interchange.Google Map for Rome Point
There is a sign posted at the trail
head with a detailed map of the nature preserve.
First time visitors should study this map to
get the lay of the land. Many visitors proceed
down the trail to the shoreline and stop when they reach
the bay; however, to see the seals you will want to walk
north (left) along the shoreline for an additional 1/2
mile. On nice days, this beautiful beach
makes for a fine bay side stroll. The best view of the
seals on the rocks between Rome Point and Fox Island is
from the beach at the north end of the Rome Point
shoreline. We created the labeled
photograph at the top of this page to allow other
observers to benefit from our remarks while we are
seal watching; these rock names are useful for
quickly describing locations where interesting seal
behavior is taking place.
Before the main trail reaches the shoreline, a gravel road branches off to the left of the main path just past the power line crossing at the bottom of the hill. This cedar-lined road runs parallel to the beach. The road is easier walking than the beach (unless the trail is muddy or icy) and is sheltered from the wind; if you choose this path, bear right at the "Y" and right at the "T" to reach Rome Point. Pay close attention if you choose to walk through the woods, so that you are easily able to retrace your steps on the return trip. There a number of trails crisscrossing this property, so adventurous visitors may choose to come and go on a route of their own choosing.
The distance from the parking area to the Rome Point seal watching beach about 1 1/4 miles and the walk is easy and flat, except for one short, moderately steep hill. At a steady walking pace it takes about 1/2 hour to reach Rome Point, however, beachcombers and hikers accompanied by small children should plan on a one-hour hike to reach the prime seal-watching destination. Icy, muddy, or snow-covered trail conditions may also affect the time it takes to complete this hike.
Before the main trail reaches the shoreline, a gravel road branches off to the left of the main path just past the power line crossing at the bottom of the hill. This cedar-lined road runs parallel to the beach. The road is easier walking than the beach (unless the trail is muddy or icy) and is sheltered from the wind; if you choose this path, bear right at the "Y" and right at the "T" to reach Rome Point. Pay close attention if you choose to walk through the woods, so that you are easily able to retrace your steps on the return trip. There a number of trails crisscrossing this property, so adventurous visitors may choose to come and go on a route of their own choosing.
The distance from the parking area to the Rome Point seal watching beach about 1 1/4 miles and the walk is easy and flat, except for one short, moderately steep hill. At a steady walking pace it takes about 1/2 hour to reach Rome Point, however, beachcombers and hikers accompanied by small children should plan on a one-hour hike to reach the prime seal-watching destination. Icy, muddy, or snow-covered trail conditions may also affect the time it takes to complete this hike.