What: The Roger Williams Heritage Hike is a proposed annual public event in Providence, Rhode Island, created to honor Rhode Island Independence Day and celebrate the life and enduring legacy of Roger Williams. Rooted in the state’s founding principles—religious liberty, freedom of conscience, and respect for diverse communities—this family-friendly, educational walking program will bring together young people, civic leaders, faith communities, and the broader public to share in Rhode Island’s history and values.

Who: The Roger Williams Heritage Hike is open to Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, Explorers, Sea Scouts, and their families. Participants are encouraged to invite a buddy to join them and share in the fun and learning.

$5.00 per person

• Each participant will receive an Inagural Roger Williams Heritage Hike patch.

To best align with applicable local laws, policies, and safety requirements, advance registration is required for all participants.

Where: Historic Providence, Rhode Island

Start: Rhode Island State House - 82 Smith St, Providence, RI 02903

End: Prospect Terrace Park - 60 Congdon St, Providence, RI 02906

Key stops include: 

• Rhode Island State House
• Roger Williams National Memorial 
• Providence Riverwalk
• Old Statehouse 
• First Baptist Church of America
• Prospect Terrace Park Roger Williams Statue

* Route and stops subject to change

The hike is roughly 1 1/2 miles in length. 

When: Sunday July 12, 2026

Check In Starts at 1:00 pm

Inclement Weather Date: Sunday July 25, 2026

Why: Rhode Island holds a unique place in American history as the first colony to declare independence on May 4, 1776, and as a pioneer in religious freedom.

Participating in the Roger Williams Heritage Hike offers a fun and meaningful way to celebrate Rhode Island Independence while learning about the life and legacy of Roger Williams and the state’s founding ideals. Through an engaging, family-friendly walk in Providence, participants explore local history, connect Scouting values to civic principles, and build community alongside fellow scouts, families, and leaders.

Plan to Bring:

• Water (refillable bottle recommended)
• Light snacks
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Small personal firstaid kit (bandages, blister care, medications)
• Sunscreen and/or a hat
• Backpack or daypack

Getting Here: Visitors traveling by car will find metered street parking along Smith Street, Francis Street, and Gaspee Street, as well as nearby garages such as the Providence Place Mall garages and the Providence Station (Amtrak/MBTA) Garage, all within a short walk of the Rhode Island State House.

Participants may also arrive by train via MBTA Commuter Rail (Providence/Stoughton Line) or Amtrak to Providence Station (PVD).

Scout Ranger Program: The Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger program is a partnership between the National Park Service and Scouting America. The program invites all members of Scouting America to participate in educational and/or volunteer service projects at national park sites and related areas within the National Park System. These activities spark their awareness of national parks and provide Scouts the opportunity to explore and learn more about protecting our natural and cultural resources. Scouts are awarded certificates and/or patches after meeting certain requirements of the program. Click here to learn more.

The Roger Williams Heritage Hike fulfills some of the requirements for the Scout Ranger Program. Tracking documents available in the attachments section on the right side of this page.

Additional Information:

Please be aware that portions of the walking route include moderate to steep hills and uneven grades common in downtown Providence. These inclines may be physically challenging for individuals who have difficulty with hills, limited mobility, or endurance concerns. Participants are encouraged to plan accordingly, wear appropriate footwear, take breaks as needed, and consider alternative transportation or accommodations if hills present a concern.