Beavertail State Park

Beavertail Road runs from Jamestown village out to the southernmost tip of Conanicut Island, where the land drops into Narragansett Bay on three sides. The park sits at the entrance to the Bay, and the lighthouse tower standing here marks that passage — the current granite structure dates from 1856, replacing earlier towers on the same site. Four designated overlooks give riders a place to pull off and read the water; the rocky coastline extends beyond them if you want to walk farther. Admission to the park is free.

The lighthouse keeper's house, built in 1898, now holds the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum. The museum covers the history of the light station, its keepers, Narragansett Bay, and the shipping trade that the lighthouse served. The museum is open seasonally, so check hours before making it a centerpiece of your stop — the grounds and overlooks are accessible regardless. The site also occupies a location the museum association describes as "the site of the third-oldest lighthouse in North America," which anchors the stop in genuine maritime history rather than scenery alone.

One practical note for riders: the headland is exposed, and wind is a real factor here, especially outside summer. The rocky shoreline can be slippery when wet. The loop itself — crossing over to Jamestown, riding Beavertail Road to the cliffs, and returning — is compact enough to add to a longer coastal day without committing most of your riding hours to the detour.