Mountain bike advocates are working to turn an old campground into northern Rhode Island’s first machine-built flow trail system.
The Echo Lake Campground in Burrillville, Rhode Island, operated as a seasonal campground for more than 50 years before closing in 2020. Since 2021, the 235-acre property has been owned by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
The DEM currently only allows hiking and fishing on the property, but members of the Rhode Island chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association have launched The Echo Lake Project — an effort to turn the property into a mountain bike trail system.
Advocates say it would expand local recreation and trails in an area with few trail opportunities. According to a recent article in The Valley Breeze, the trail network would be a series of flowing, accessible trails for bikers, hikers, and adaptive riders of all skill levels. The design calls for family-friendly loops, advanced downhill sections, and pathways wide enough for specialized adaptive bikes.
To make the trail system a reality, the project needs to raise $400,000. They’ve so far raised $155,000, with $150,000 coming from the DEM.
Mountain biking advocates hope to cover the remaining costs through community donations, grants, and sponsorships. They say if all goes well, they could begin construction next year.
