Georgiaville Pond

Smithfield, Rhode Island · on Georgiaville Pond

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WATER: pond
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: $2
SEASON: Best in summer

About Georgiaville Pond

Georgiaville Pond Beach is Smithfield, Rhode Island's official town-run freshwater swimming beach, sited on a 92-acre pond impoundment of the Woonasquatucket River behind the Georgiaville Dam. It operates as a fee-based, lifeguarded public swimming hole in summer, alongside a boat ramp, picnic area, and a scenic dam/gorge walk, and it is among the easiest places to swim in the Smithfield area.

The pond sits behind the historic Georgiaville Dam (an earthen dam dating to roughly 1850, renovated in 1991) on the Woonasquatucket River, in the Georgiaville/Stillwater village area of Smithfield. The impoundment holds a few small pine-covered islands, and the beach and dam walk are listed among Smithfield's 'Seven Scenic Walks.' Below the dam spillway is a narrow gorge where water rushes over rocks, especially dramatic after heavy rain or spring thaw. The historic Smith-Appleby House sits at the pond's north end, reflecting the area's mill-village heritage.

Swimming at Georgiaville Pond

This is a supervised town-beach swim area with a sandy/rocky shoreline shelving gently near shore before dropping to deeper water toward the pond's islands; swimming is meant to stay within the designated, lifeguarded area. It suits casual, family day-use swimming during the staffed summer season rather than open-water or distance swimming - swimming out toward the islands or beyond marked zones is called out as a documented hazard.

How to get to this swimming hole

The beach is at 18 Stillwater Road (also referenced as St. Michaels Way), Smithfield, RI, at the south end of Georgiaville Pond, near the villages of Georgiaville and Stillwater.

Parking: On-site town beach parking lot (about 45 vehicles, including accessible spaces); a town-issued parking/permit sticker is required, with separate resident/non-resident vehicle fees.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up town beach: park in the on-site lot off Stillwater Road/St. Michaels Way and walk under a minute to the shoreline. No trail or hike is involved to reach the swim area.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Shoreline shelves gently near shore, which suits small kids for wading, but the bottom drops off into deep water toward the pond's islands and that swim-to-island stretch is a documented drowning hazard; motorized boats also use the pond and lifeguards are only on duty during posted beach hours (10am-6pm in season), so supervision matters and kids should be kept close to shore/inside the marked swim area.

Parking

Paid, Day-use $2 resident / $4 non-resident; season parking/entry permits $10 resident / $20 non-resident adult (child passes $2/$4)

On-site town beach lot with about 45 spaces including ADA-accessible spots; a town-issued permit/sticker is required to park and to use the adjacent boat ramp.

Restrooms

Yes

Public restrooms on-site at the town beach, but per the town's own site report they 'may not always be open.'

Water clarity

Varies with season and flow

Described as clearer in dry weather but clouded by storm runoff and algae blooms; the pond has a recurring history of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and bacteria advisories, including one active as of July 2026, so clarity and swimmability shift through the season.

Hours

Daily 10am-6pm during the staffed summer season (roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day)

Swim smart

Documented drowning risk for swimmers attempting to reach the pond's islands; deep water beyond the designated swim area; motorized boat traffic on the pond; no lifeguard supervision outside posted hours; recurring water-quality closures from bacteria and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms, most recently a RIDOH advisory in July 2026.

Rules: Open to the general public, not restricted to Smithfield residents, but a town permit is required to park and to launch at the boat ramp. The beach is subject to state health department closure recommendations when bacteria or cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) levels are high; as of a July 2026 RIDOH advisory, swimming was recommended closed due to high bacteria counts, with status updates posted at health.ri.gov/beaches and via a state hotline.

This is an informational listing, not an invitation. Conditions and access change; verify locally before you go. Visiting any swimming hole is at your own risk. See our Terms of Use.

On the water

KayaksCanoesMotorboats

Restrictions: No electric-only or no-wake restriction was documented; a town parking/launch permit is required, and paddlers launching by hand are asked to keep the trailer boat ramp clear for boats on trailers.

The on-site boat ramp is shared by trailered motorboats and hand-launched canoes/kayaks; no paddleboard-specific guidance was found.

Backstory

The Georgiaville Dam is an earthen dam originally built around 1850 and renovated in 1991 with public bond funding. The Smith-Appleby House, a historic structure reflecting the area's mill-village history, stands at the pond's north end.

Georgiaville Pond: FAQ

Does Georgiaville Pond charge a fee?

Day use: $2 for Smithfield residents / $4 for non-residents. Season passes: $10 adult resident / $20 adult non-resident, $2 child resident / $4 child non-resident. Vehicle parking passes: $10 resident / $20 non-resident.

Is Georgiaville Pond kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Georgiaville Pond?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Georgiaville Pond?

On-site town beach lot with about 45 spaces including ADA-accessible spots; a town-issued permit/sticker is required to park and to use the adjacent boat ramp.

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Georgiaville Pond?

The on-site boat ramp is shared by trailered motorboats and hand-launched canoes/kayaks; no paddleboard-specific guidance was found.

When is the best time to visit Georgiaville Pond?

Summer (roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day), when the beach is staffed with lifeguards and open daily 10am-6pm.

What are the rules at Georgiaville Pond?

Open to the general public, not restricted to Smithfield residents, but a town permit is required to park and to launch at the boat ramp. The beach is subject to state health department closure recommendations when bacteria or cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) levels are high; as of a July 2026 RIDOH advisory, swimming was recommended closed due to high bacteria counts, with status updates posted at health.ri.gov/beaches and via a state hotline.

What water body is Georgiaville Pond on?

Georgiaville Pond is on Georgiaville Pond, a natural pond verified in USGS hydrography data.

Conditions right now

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Live data from the National Weather Service and USGS. Conditions at the water can differ, use your judgment.

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At a glance

Land access: Unknown, verify locally
Facilities: restrooms (seasonal); boat ramp; picnic tables and benches; parking lot with accessible spaces
Highlights: small pine-covered islands within the pond; historic c.1850 earthen dam with a walkable path along its top; gorge below the dam spillway with rushing water after storms; one of Smithfield's officially designated 'Seven Scenic Walks'; Smith-Appleby House historic site nearby
Nearby towns: Georgiaville (0.1mi); Esmond (1.1mi); Stillwater (1.4mi); Greystone (1.6mi)
Coordinates: 41.8886, -71.5087