Stepstone Falls Hike
Waterfall · about 10 ft high | Rhode Island
3.4 mi loop
Stepstone Falls Hike at a Glance
The Stepstone Falls hike via the Ben Utter Trail is 3.4 mi loop.
| Falls height | About 10 ft |
|---|---|
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 330 ft |
| Trail | Ben Utter Trail |
| Distance | 3.4 mi loop |
Your time: about 1 h 10 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 1 h 25 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 640 kcal. No elevation gain is published for this route, so climbing time isn’t included.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 3.4 mi distance for this hike is verified (hikenewengland.com), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Stepstone Falls
Stepstone Falls is a waterfall in Rhode Island, about 10 feet high, on land managed by Arcadia Management Area (RI DEM). Its height is from newenglandwaterfalls.com.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Ben Utter Trail: 3.4 miles as a loop, from Ben Utter Trailhead, Austin Farm Road. Distance from hikenewengland.com.
Before You Go
- Dogs are allowed. (newenglandwaterfalls.com)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Arcadia Management Area (RI DEM) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Stepstone Falls?
The Ben Utter Trail to Stepstone Falls is 3.4 miles as a loop.
Where does the Stepstone Falls hike start?
It starts from Ben Utter Trailhead, Austin Farm Road.
How tall is Stepstone Falls?
Stepstone Falls is about 10 feet high.
Are dogs allowed on the Stepstone Falls trail?
Dogs are allowed.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Stepstone Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- hikenewengland.com
- Distance
- hikenewengland.com
- Falls height
- newenglandwaterfalls.com
- Falls location
- topoquest.com
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Stepstone Falls.