Brenton Point State Park

Ocean Drive traces the rocky southern edge of Aquidneck Island, and Brenton Point is where the road swings hard to meet the Atlantic head-on. The park sits at the southwestern tip of the island, where the open ocean and Narragansett Bay converge — a geography that produces unobstructed water views in nearly every direction. There is no entry fee, and the shoulder along Ocean Drive gives riders plenty of room to park and step off the bike without the pressure of a crowded lot.

The land carries a long history. It was named for colonial Governor William Brenton, who farmed the point in the 17th century, and the site later served as a coastal defense position during World War II — one of the original concrete gun mounts from that period still stands on the grounds. The state took possession in 1969 and opened it as a park. What remains today is open grassy headland, a rocky shoreline, walking trails, and the Portuguese Discovery Monument, a granite structure honoring the navigators who charted these waters.

The exposure is real. Wind off the Atlantic is a constant, and the rocky shoreline drops away quickly at the water's edge — worth keeping in mind if you walk out toward the rocks. Ocean Drive itself is a public road shared with cyclists, pedestrians, and turning traffic, so stay attentive through the bends near the park entrance.