The Eastern Seaboard of the United States is dotted with hundreds, if not thousands, of gorgeous beaches perfect for hunting sea glass. Beachcombing enthusiasts know many are located in Rhode Island, and possibly the best place of all to find sea glass in the state is Rocky Point Beach in Warwick.
It’s located in Rocky Point State Park, a popular outdoor recreation destination amongst locals for nearly two centuries that’s just a 30-minute drive south of Providence. Situated close to where the mouth of the Providence River empties into Upper Narragansett Bay, the state park’s proximity to urban Providence as well as industrial shipping lanes makes it ideal for discovering sea glass. The best time of day to go looking is early in the morning, before other eagle-eyed beachcombers, particularly after a storm, as the churning water helps to wash the sea glass up on the shore.
Parking for the park is at the intersection of Rocky Point Avenue and Palmer Avenue, and then it’s just a short walk to the head of the Rocky Point Walking Trail. Begin walking the 1.6-mile route as it leads you down to and along the waterfront, and have your camera ready to capture spectacular views and interesting wildlife. The trail soon bends left and leads away from the water, but I like to leave the path and continue straight along the beach to continue my hunt, and this is where you’re likely to get a good haul. Continue for a few tenths of a mile, and you can meet back up with the Rocky Point Walking Trail and complete the loop. This detour lengthens your hike just a bit, but if you’re looking to bring home some beautiful sea glass, it’s totally worth it.
If you want to continue your hunt, I’ve found some good sea glass specimens beachcombing in Conimicut Point Park that’s very nearby—just a 10-minute drive northeast from Rocky Point State Park. I like to park in the lot at the end of Point Avenue and walk part of the 0.6-mile loop of the Conimicut Point Trail to the water, but you can also drive further in and park just steps from the beach. There’s a small stretch of sand, but if you’re able, take your time stepping carefully among the rocks, and there’s a good chance you’ll find some sea glass. It’s also a lovely spot to bring a picnic, with a full view of the adorable Conimicut Shoals Lighthouse, established in 1868, that sits across the opening of the Providence River from the point.
Didn’t pack a picnic and craving a fantastic lunch? You can head 30 minutes north up to Providence, but if you’re looking for more waterfront views and seafood, I recommend driving less than 15 minutes to Oakland Beach instead. Get a table at Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House for—you guessed it—chowder, as well as fried scallops and lobster rolls, or Top of the Bay for lobster bisque and little neck clams…