Overview
Grills Wildlife Sanctuary is a landscape of fields, forests, wetlands, and riverfront that together create more than three miles of connected trails.
East of Tomaquag Brook, old cart paths wind through flat terrain, passing an Atlantic White Cedar swamp framed by hardwoods and pines.
To the west, trails lead across a more varied landscape of rocky outcrops and wooded swamps before reaching the site of the historic Polly Coon Bridge. Once used to haul granite across the Pawcatuck River to the rail siding in Bradford, the bridge was lost to repeated floods. Today, a new pedestrian bridge rests on the original stone abutments, reconnecting the sanctuary with more than five miles of trails in the Westerly Land Trust’s Grills Preserve.
Getting There
Visitor Guide
General Information:
Open Sunrise to Sunset
Daylight Fluorescent Orange Must Be Worn Between September Through May, or as Posted
Dogs Allowed on Leash
Leave No Trash, Carry Out Trash
Available Trails:
Tomaquag Trail 3.1 mi. (white diamond)—Chase Hill Road Trailhead (Hopkinton) to Bowling Lane Trailhead (Westerly)
Hopkinton Trails
Cedar Swamp Trail 0.4 mi. (orange rectangle)
East Loop Trail 0.8 mi. (yellow diamond)
Peninsula Loop 0.8 (yellow square)
Westerly Trails
Blue Trail 2.1 mi.
Yellow Trail 2.1 mi.
Red Trail 0.4 mi.
Cross Country Trail 1.5 mi. (orange markers)
Click here for the trail map.
Prohibited Activities:
Motorized Vehicles
Hunting
Fires and Camping
Dumping, Littering, and Trash Disposal
Alcoholic Beverages
Removing, Cutting, or Damaging Trees, Shrubs, or Vegetation
Disturbing Archeological and Sacred Sites, Stone Walls, Cellar Foundations, Dams, Mill Sites, Grave Sites, and Stone Foundations
Moving or Piling of Stones
Metal Detectors, Digging or Removing Objects and Minerals
Blocking Gates
Trail Advisories:
Farming is conducted on the property. Please be aware of animals and crops, and close gates when appropriate. Do not interfere with farming activities.
Black bears have been sighted near local trails. Stay alert and follow these safety guidelines when hiking
Incident Reporting:
For emergencies, call 911.
Report incidents to the Hopkinton Police immediately at (401) 377-7750. Take photos and get names, if possible.
Do you have feedback about our trails?
We want to hear from you! Whether you spotted something interesting or have a suggestion for how we can improve, please contact us.