Here, we’ll find out the answer to that question, and many more. We’ll start by discovering the highest point in Rhode Island, then look at how that point compares with the rest of the state’s topography. Then, we’ll find out what there is to do at Rhode Island’s high point, as well as how to get there. Finally, we’ll explore the five highest points in the state.
Highest Point in Rhode Island
At 811 feet above sea level, Jerimoth Hill is officially the highest point in Rhode Island. Located just over the border from Connecticut in the north-central part of the state, Jerimoth Hill is easy to miss. The easiest way to get there is via Foster, the closest town. From there, drive west on Route 101 until you reach mile marker 212. There is no official parking lot for the Hill, so you’ll have to park on the shoulder. The trail to Jerimoth Hill is well-marked, and only about a quarter of a mile long, with little to no elevation gain. The highest point in Rhode Island is so subtle that, without signage and a geodetic marking, you would probably miss it! But, if you’re into novelty stops, this one might just be perfect for you!
What About the Rest of Rhode Island?
The highest point in Rhode Island is only 811 feet above sea level; the state’s average elevation is just 200 feet. The lowest point in Rhode Island is actually sea level, wherever the land meets the Atlantic Ocean. All in all, Rhode Island is an extremely flat, low-lying state. Most of the state is well below 500 feet above sea level, while the only regions with a higher elevation are those in the north-central part of the state. So, if you’re going to Rhode Island in hopes of scaling some mountains, you might want to pick another, more mountainous state. In fact, Rhode Island is the least mountainous state in all of New England.
Getting to Jerimoth Hill
The highest point in Rhode Island hasn’t always been the most accessible place to get to. Previous to 2005, local private landowners (whose lands lay between the highway and the high point) prevented tourists from accessing Jerimoth Hill. Luckily, Brown University purchased the land the high point sits on in 2012. In 2014, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management purchased the land. So now, if you want to visit the state’s high point, all you have to do is take a short walk from the highway.
What Else Is There to Do Near Jerimoth Hill?
While Jerimoth Hill (named for Jerimoth Brown, a European colonist) may not be the most exciting part of Rhode Island, there’s still plenty to do in the surrounding area. For instance, if you’re interested in reaching the high points in multiple states, you’re in luck. From Jerimoth Hill, you can reach the highest points in New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts within a few hours drive. However, not every state high point is as easy to get to as Jerimoth Hill (Mount Marcy, in New York, is particularly difficult). Nearby, visitors can check out Foster, the town closest to the Hill. Foster is home to Nickle Creek Vineyard, an excellent stop for any wine enthusiast. There’s also Killingly Pond State Park, which is part in Rhode Island, and part in Connecticut, as well as Ponaganset Reservoir to the east. Both lakes offer camping, hiking, and water activities in the summer. But, more than anything, you’ll find that traveling through this part of Rhode Island showcases the state’s arcadian natural beauty.
Rhode Island’s Other High Points
The highest point in Rhode Island, Jerimoth Hill, is higher than the state’s next-highest hill by quite a bit. Bald Hill, in Kent County, is the second highest point in Rhode Island at just 629 feet. The third highest “peak” in the state doesn’t even have an official name—it’s known simply as the Washington County High Point, with an elevation of 567 feet. The fourth highest is Pocasset Hill in Newport County, which has an elevation of 326 feet. And finally, the fifth highest point in Rhode Island is Mount Hope, in Bristol County, at 221 feet above sea level.
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