Narragansett is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, with a population of 14,532 according to the 2020 census. During the summer, the population swells to nearly 34,000. The town spans a narrow strip of land along the eastern bank of the Pettaquamscutt River (also known as Narrow River) and extends to the shores of Narragansett Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. Originally part of South Kingstown, Narragansett became a separate entity in 1888 and was officially incorporated as a town in 1901. Known for its beautiful ocean beaches and scenic oceanfront walk, Narragansett is a popular summer resort destination and an East Coast surfing hotspot, thanks to consistent southerly swells from the Atlantic.
Geographically, the town covers a total area of 37.8 square miles (98 km²), with 14.1 square miles (37 km²) of land and 23.6 square miles (61 km²) of water, making water bodies account for 62.56% of the town's area.
Narragansett includes several villages and neighborhoods, such as Saunderstown (shared with North Kingstown), South Ferry, Bonnet Shores, Narragansett Pier, Point Judith, Galilee, Great Island, Salt Pond, Mettatuxet, and Jerusalem (shared with South Kingstown). The town is famous for its summer recreational activities and beaches. Fishermen's Memorial State Park, near Galilee, features a former military fort (Fort Greene) and a campground.
Centrally located, this beach requires an entry fee and is self-sustaining, unlike other state-funded beaches.
This beach complex has two areas, North and South, each with a pavilion, showers, picnic tables, boardwalk, and observation tower. Parking is available for a fee, but vehicles parked on nearby streets risk being towed, especially in summer. The beach is adjacent to a local sewage treatment plant.
Located in Point Judith, these beaches are sheltered by the breakwater that protects the port of Galilee. Salty Brine State Beach boasts a pavilion with concessions and had a wind turbine that was destroyed in a 2017 storm.
Narragansett also has its own Pre-K through 12 school system, consisting of Narragansett Elementary School, Narragansett Pier Middle School, and Narragansett High School. Narragansett High School's principal, Mr. Daniel F. Warner, was named the 2008 Principal of the Year. The town is home to the South County Museum and the Narragansett Bay Campus of the University of Rhode Island.
