Fort Wetherill State Park

Fort Wetherill State Park is a coastal defense installation on a granite peninsula in Jamestown spanning about 61 acres. The site offers views across Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay.

A fortification called Fort Dumpling occupied this spot during the American Revolution. Between 1895 and 1903, it was rebuilt and expanded into the modern Fort Wetherill as part of coastal defense upgrades.

The site served as a crucial defense position for the bay and today speaks to the region's military past. Visitors can walk among the stone fortifications and structures that marked this strategic role.

The park has restroom facilities available from May through October for seasonal use. Anyone planning group events, weddings, or diving activities should arrange permits ahead of their visit.

Underground remnants of a tramway system remain buried beneath the grounds, used to deploy submarine mines during both World Wars. These hidden structures reveal how actively the bay was defended against potential attacks from the sea.

Location: Rhode Island

Inception: 1972

Website: https://riparks.com/Locations/LocationFortWetherill.html

GPS coordinates: 41.47944,-71.36500

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:23