Olney Pond

Olney Pond is the 130-acre reservoir at the centre of Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln, Rhode Island. RI DEM runs it for swimming at a lifeguarded freshwater beach, trout fishing and boating, and in winter it is one of three state park waters DEM tests for safe ice. Its shoreline is broken by small islands, coves and boulders, and a paved road, the Les Pawson Loop, runs all the way round it.

How Olney Pond Was Made

DEM's history says the pond was more man-made than natural. The Olney family dammed a meadow at the eastern end of their land to get enough fall of water to run a thread mill, about a century before the park was created. The Thread Mill Brook still runs south-east from the dam toward the Moshassuck River. The Blackstone Heritage Corridor adds that a dam at the east end, built in the early 1900s, tripled the original pond's size. By 1918, DEM says, the pond already boasted a small beach; today's swimming area at the south end was dedicated as Frank Moody State Beach in 1977.

Swimming

Swim only at the designated beach. State rules allow swimming only in areas set aside and posted for it, and DEM's map marks one beach, on the south-west shore. Lifeguards work 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in season, as staffing allows. The beach guide has the details.

Fishing for Trout

DEM lists Olney Pond on its designated trout waters, marked wheelchair accessible, and stocks it in both spring and fall: its 2026 updates list Olney Pond on April 24, April 28, May 5, May 18 and October 2. There is an accessible shoreline fishing area on the east side from the second Saturday in April to Columbus Day. Anglers 15 and older need a Rhode Island freshwater licence. The fishing guide has licences, seasons and where to cast.

Paddling and Boating

Kayaks and canoes can go out any day the park is open. The Blackstone Heritage Corridor says a paddle round the shoreline takes one to two hours, from the boat launch on the east side past the dam, a large rocky outcrop and a string of coves, with submerged rocks near shore that appear and disappear as the water level changes. Motorboats are banned on summer weekends and holidays, except electric trolling motors, and motors must be under ten horsepower at other times. See kayaking and boating.

Ice Skating and Ice Safety

DEM says Lincoln Woods is one of three Rhode Island state parks where it tests the ice in winter. Its winter safety page is blunt: there is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice, never skate on an untested pond, and ice should be at least six inches thick. Skate only when DEM has announced safe ice at Lincoln Woods, never alone, and only in daylight. In an emergency, call 911 and do not go out on the ice after someone.

Around the Pond

The Les Pawson Loop circles the water and is the easiest way to see it. Picnic sites line the north and east shores, with the beach, bathhouse and food stand at the south-west corner. DEM's own photos show visitors sitting on the big rocks above the water in autumn.

Rules on the Water

• Swim only at the beach, during posted times, and never in a thunderstorm.
• No motorboats on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, except electric trolling motors.
• Motors under 10 horsepower at other times, unless DEM gives written permission.
• No animals on the beach from April 1 to September 30, except service animals.
• Don't feed the ducks or geese. State rules forbid feeding wildlife.