Rhode Island has 15 beautiful state parks, and each one has its own special character and appeal. But the Ocean State only has one state park that leads to a spooky but fascinating abandoned mansion. Take a seaside stroll and you’ll end up at some of Rhody’s most interesting ruins.

Brenton Point State Park is located in Newport.

Wander / TripAdvisor Newport is one of Rhody’s largest cities, and during the summertime, this park stays perpetually packed. However, in the off season, it stays nice and quiet.

To reach the ruins, you’ll take a calming seaside stroll through the park, taking in the beautiful views of the ocean.

Zooant / TripAdvisor This is definitely more of a nature walk than a hike, but you’ll love every minute of it.

It doesn’t take long for the walk to go from bright and sunny to just a little spooky.

Kelly264 / TripAdvisor That’s because you’ll be approaching The Bells, the decaying remains of one of Newport’s once most prominent mansions.

The Bells is a once sprawling mansion that was originally known as The Reefs.

Kelly264 / TripAdvisor Constructed in 1876, it served as the dream home of lawyer Theodore M. Davis.

During his time here, Davis filled the rooms with the artifacts and treasures he had collected on his travels around the world, including some rare Egypitan artifacts.

Josh McGinn / Flickr When Davis died, the mansion was sold to the Budong family, who held the mansion until it was seized during World War II so that a defense battery could be built on the property.

Here’s where things get a little odd.

Josh McGinn / Flickr After World War II, the government returned the mansion to the Budongs. But the couple divorced, abandoning the mansion and leaving it to rot. No one knows why, and no one knows what became of some of the artifacts.

Most of the mansion was consumed by fire, and not much of the structure remains today.

Josh McGinn / Flickr Parts of the carriage house and the stable are all that remain, and nature is slowly reclaiming them.

Have you ever checked out The Bells at Brenton Point State Park?

Wander / TripAdvisor

Newport is one of Rhody’s largest cities, and during the summertime, this park stays perpetually packed. However, in the off season, it stays nice and quiet.

Zooant / TripAdvisor

This is definitely more of a nature walk than a hike, but you’ll love every minute of it.

Kelly264 / TripAdvisor

That’s because you’ll be approaching The Bells, the decaying remains of one of Newport’s once most prominent mansions.

Constructed in 1876, it served as the dream home of lawyer Theodore M. Davis.

Josh McGinn / Flickr

When Davis died, the mansion was sold to the Budong family, who held the mansion until it was seized during World War II so that a defense battery could be built on the property.

After World War II, the government returned the mansion to the Budongs. But the couple divorced, abandoning the mansion and leaving it to rot. No one knows why, and no one knows what became of some of the artifacts.

Parts of the carriage house and the stable are all that remain, and nature is slowly reclaiming them.

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Address: Brenton Point State Park, Ocean Drive, Newport, RI 02840, USA