Came here for a run while staying near BDL and really enjoyed the trail along the Connecticut River! You really get that feeling that you're out in nature--the sights, the smells, the sounds, everything. The path is suitable for walking, running and cycling. How I wish I could enjoy it in the fall with the changing colors! read more

Windsor Locks Canal Trail State Park - Parks Near Me - Suffield, Connecticut

Absolutely gorgeous, magical day, the kind that makes one thankful for the opportunity to enjoy nature...sunny, mid 60's, low humidity, gentle breeze. Blue heron right after you enter from the south terminus. Lots of turtles basking. Eagles (adult and 2 juvies) visible in their nest, with another adult high above about 50 yds north. Another uge (we don't pronounce the "h" where I'm from) blue heron about 7/10ths of a mile from the start. Ducks, geese, hawk. Haven't seen a rabbit yet this year. My theory is that overcutting on the bank of the canal-side has caused rabbits to change their habits (seriously). No place to hide from predators. Everyone friendly...strollers, fishermen, bicyclists.... I tried to make a video of the song, "I was strolling thru the park one day, in the very merry month of May...". Lucky for the reader / listener that my phone was having memory issues. Always a 5 star! read more

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"Always wanting to find your way True to yourself you've got to stay Walk in a straight line Walking in a straight line" (Crosby, Stills and Nash) We accessed the Windsor Locks Canal Trail at Canal Street in Suffield, but I believe you can also access it in Windsor Locks. After we parked, we turned right onto the trail and basically walked away from downtown Windsor Locks. The trail is straight and flat, which was great. No tree roots, no rocks, no tree branches or debris, no dog poop, and very few bicyclists. It's a super easy low impact walk just perfect for out of shape Yelpers like yours truly. The path threads the needle between the Connecticut River on the right and the old Windsor Locks Canal on the left. We saw a few interesting things along the way, an Amtrak train zipping along on the left, a few signs telling us we were in a Bald Eagle preserve, and a fallen tree in the canal which seemed to be home to two dozen ducks. We never did get a full on view of the Connecticut River, so either we didn't walk far enough, or we should have made a left instead of a right onto the trail? read more

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Beautiful canal as always. Full of animals from rabbits to Fish, ducks, herons, geese, turtles, birds, 4 bald eagles, and more Walkable, bike friendly path with resting seats Bathroom at the entrance Cool outlooks onto the Connecticut river. Worth a visit! read more

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Green space along the Connecticut River very nice but I was a little surprised this place makes the list as a "State Park" but maybe it's to ensure it receives funding being there is no admission. The walking path and scenery is nice and I find the graffiti bulletin board under the bridge is creative although I think if it was officially managed it would a great attraction, like other graffiti bridges across the country e.g. "The Graffiti Bridge" in Pensacola, Florida (you can YELP it) instead of a bunch of garbage it's used to bring attention to issues but not to just one individual's agenda and it's constantly changes, sometimes daily - just a thought. The weather today in mid April was cold and rainy not the best day to enjoy the outdoors, but there was an older couple staring at the river flowing by at an incredible pace both donning hoodies and waterproof parkers. I did see the local news mention the recent rains put the river near flood stage, then there's a lone bleach blonde sitting on top of a picnic table smoking a cigarette while playing on her phone unaware anyone else exist. I walked down the trail to look at the water passing underneath the bridge, there's a fence with a locked gate preventing one from getting to the river's edge so I'm somewhat puzzled how the fishermen in the other photos access their fishing holes - is it legal to jump the fence, the management seems to be sending mixed messages even the signage "closed at sunset except for fishing" is mis-leading so I guess if you want to stay after dark to spray paint the bridge you should bring a cane pole with you... read more

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Awesome trail to walk , seems like it never ends haha where does it end ? Been a great place to see the River and get a great workout in!

I live right by the Trail and enjoy it from early April to November. We enjoy walking this trail more than we like biking it. Unfortunately, it can be pretty bumpy and is not as well maintained as other bike trails we've been to. I enjoy the different wildlife you'll see on this trail. There's a bald eagle nesting area which is fascinating! I've also run into beavers, hawks, and raccoons - always from a safe distance! read more

Live close by but new nothing of this great walking spot until I read about it on Yelp. Was able to walk it for about 2 hours yesterday morning. Several people were at the water line fishing. It's a nice flat and paved trail ideal for biking. It's not the most 'gorgeous' walk ever but it was pleasant and had lots of peacefulness to it. What's not to love about walking alongside a river anyway. I'm not sure that I'd feel comfortable walking it alone during hours when not many people are around. You can definitely feel isolated out there when others aren't around. I'll definitely return with my bike and a friend. read more

I was looking for a spot to get a couple of miles in to avoid Friday afternoon rush hour traffic and this popped up when I typed "Parks" into my handy dandy Yelp App. Located along the Connecticut River - the Windsor Locks Canal Trial runs parallel to it. I am not really sure how long it is but the portion I ran on was well paved and flat - two things this runner truly appreciates. I saw several people walking, riding their bikes and even a couple of individuals trying their luck with the fishing pole. I would love to come back in the summer and fall to check out some of the wildlife that some of the other reviewers notice. One safety note I will mention is that the parking lot is off the main road and I did not notice any lighting around so just keep your eyes and ears open if you plan on heading down closer to dusk. read more

This is a wonderful walking and or biking trail connecting Windsor Locks and Enfield. There are many good fishing spots and scenic views of the CT River along the trail. read more

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The park is nice enough and I enjoyed the initial walk and pleasant views. What I didn't like was the red fox I saw. I almost ran right into one and was lucky that she didn't see me. I had to drop into stealth mode and high tail it out of there. Just are I broke from the woods I was almost snatched up by a hawk! WHAT A DAY! Not the relaxing hike I had planned for. If you're a animal loving, tree hugging human I would recommend this trail for you, but if your a chicken like me keep away! read more

The Windsor Locks Canal Trail is an interesting little trail - you have the Connecticut river on one side and the canal on the other - each a stone's toss away from the trail itself. The paved trail is good for walking, biking, roller blading, you name it, although it can get a little uneven in places. It's raised above the water level, so you pretty much have to stay on the trail and don't have many options to explore off it (although I have yet only been down a little ways walking - from the parking on Canal Rd heading toward Windsor). There are some spots near the parking area where you can get close to the water and there is even a small area with sand like a mini beach. It's popular with all kinds of people - individuals, couples, families, people walking dogs. Everyone was very nice and smiled and said "Hi" on the way by. If you're biking please be courteous and warn walkers - there's not much room for maneuvering and a fall off the trail could land you in the water or some harsh thorns. read more

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Nice and very straight paved trail. Mile markers to tell you how many miles you've walked. Bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Parking lot does get full on Saturday afternoon. There are some benches every 0.5 miles or so. Not as many bugs as other hikes near here. View is very nice. Kind of reminds me of Acadia national park but smaller. There are little steps you can take to get to the water. I saw one person fishing right by the entrance to the walk. Pretty awesome for it being free. There's a little map at the entrance of the hike with little info about poison ivy, bald eagles, and etc. super cute. I do wish there were more poop trash cans. It helps dog owners like me. read more

This is a Great River park. Very well made biking and walking trail. Picnic benches available. Easy access and ample parking. Nice views of the Connecticut River. read more

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This trail is the best trail I've been to around the area (I've been to three other ones). I feel like it's for people who enjoy walks and views of nature without the trouble of hiking. It's a straight paved path with markers on the ground to tell you how many miles you've walked. I loved the view of the water and trees. They even had trash cans (very convenient since I brought my dog and he had to go to the bathroom within 10 minutes of the walk and I didn't want to carry the litter throughout the whole walk) and benches. It was a bit of a longer walk than expected (no complaints though) and we were confused as to when the trail would actually end so we just stopped about 2.5 miles in and walked another 2.5 miles back. read more

So beautiful every step in 7.2 miles was perfect. If it wasn't for the fact that the sunsets at 6:30 and my cell had 1% battery I'd probably still be out there. Bob Ross doesn't have enough paint brushes to compete with real nature. RIP Bob Ross read more

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What a beautiful fall day. Couldn't stay home and didn't want to ride the sidewalks in my town, as lovely as this town is. So we attached our bikes to my carrier and drive 10 minutes down the road. Unloaded car and got the bike trail. It's along the CT river and so beautiful. People were out walking jogging fishing. And of course, biking. It was simply, perfect. So beautiful. So relaxing. So mind clearing. So worth driving to from wherever you are. Thinking maybe I shouldn't share this slice of heaven so it doesn't become crowded. But who really reads this anyways? read more

Great little park for running or biking. The trail along the canal is scenic and goes for several miles.

The entrance to the trail can be deceptive looking as it may look gated. Overall, it was quiet paved walk along the CT river on one side and canal on the other. Everyone on the trail were super nice and said hello on the way. The trail was blocked half way past the king's island by the aqueduct because of bald eagle mating season according to park ranger until july 1st. It was long but quiet and enjoyable trail. I would love to find out how far it goes when I can interrupt the eagles. read more

I ended up on this trail somewhat accidently while biking south on CT-159/190 in Suffield. I had heard that you could not cross the CT-190 bridge into Enfield, but there was a bike route sign at the intersection that pointed left across the bridge, so I thought something had changed and I was misinformed. I ignored the no pedestrian/bicycle sign until I noticed the bike trail on the side of the bridge, and then decided to cross over to take the path. The short of it is, the trail entrance is difficult to find and the bike trail sign at that intersection is deceptive, but if you get on the trail, you can cross the CT-190 bridge or continue down along the river on the Windsor Locks Canal Trail. There were parking lots on both ends of the 4.5 mile trail. They are roughly at the end of Canal Rd in Suffield (near the CT-159 & CT-190 intersection) and Bridge St in Windsor Locks just before Main Street (CT-159 & CT-140 intersection) past an abandoned factory. I feel both are somewhat obscure, so I'd recommend getting the directions from the state website. It was very secluded, quiet, and scenic. People were out, but it was not crowded and at several points I felt alone. There were no amenities along the trail and the trail was bumpy on a road bike. The trail is maybe 10 feet wide, so biking 3 wide feels like a tight limit. There is water on both sides of the trail (the river and the canal). A couple times I heard loud splashes in the canal, but missed whatever fish/animal caused it. Several people were fishing in the canal and out for casual walks or bike rides with their family. Any large bumps were marked with yellow spray-paint and only once did I notice the edge of the trial collapsed towards the canal. I could see this being a very buggy area at times of the year, but that was not my experience. It seems ideal for a nice easy/flat walk or bike ride and people on the trial were friendly. I'm rating 3 stars because I found it difficult to get on the trail and it was too bumpy for my road bike. If I knew where I was going or was not using my road bike, I would have rated it 4 stars. read more

The path is open for the season but only on the Suffield side since there are eagles nesting on the Windsor Locks side. The path is clear. Lots of families with strollers, bicycles, scooters and dogs. Many birds-didn't see the Eagles, though. read more

Great place for a hike or bike ride. October foliage was stunning. Wanted to stretch my legs during a long drive so I quickly did a Yelp search and happily found the canal trail. Pretty low key on the Wednesday I went. Few other walkers and one or two bicyclists. Nice views of the river, the canal and some farms. I would love to walk the entire canal trail sometime. Great for relaxation. read more

Windsor Locks Canal Trail State Park - October 2014 - Parks Near Me - Suffield, Connecticut

This is basically one long paved trail from Suffield to Windsor Locks (and vice versa). It's 11 mles and entirely flat. The view is the Connecticut river, partially obstructed by trees. There are definitely much better state parks/hiking trails to explore if you want good views. It's not particularly beautiful, but it is serene. It's usually not crowded and you'll see the occasional couple or two crossing your path, but I've been alone for stretches at a time. This is a great place to run or go for a bike ride. It's flat so it won't be particularly challenging, and even though it's not a super exciting path, it's definitely more entertaining than running on a treadmill or using a stationary bike. I have seen families fishing at the end in Suffield, but can't comment on the haul since I have never participated. read more

This is a great trail to walk or bike on. No traffic, no distracted drivers talking and texting, etc. Now, however, it is closed to protect nesting eagles. I can understand this but in fact the trail is not closed on the Suffield side. Why????? Why only close the trail on the Windsor Locks side? You can take your bike starting on the Suffield entrance and bike all the way to the end of the trail in Windsor Locks. Furthermore, the trains haven't been prohibited from running. At lest a half a dozen times a day very loud, rumbly trains pass up and down along the side of the trail. Trains don't disturb the eagles? Is it the parking on the Windsor Locks side that disturbs the eagles?? Since the trail is entirely open sans a Windsor Locks entrance, I suggest a small 3-foot entrance be allowed so walkers and bikers can enter from the WL side. People can park their cars in the WL plaza a short distance from the trail. read more

The 4.5-mile Windsor Locks Canal Trail is an easy walk or bike ride. It runs parallel to the Connecticut River from Windsor Locks to Suffield. For easy access and parking, the trail begins at Bridge Street (Route 140) in Windsor Locks and proceeds along the Connecticut River onto Canal Road in Suffield. The trail offers numerous scenic views of the Connecticut River and the Windsor Locks Canal. Terrain is flat pavement with occasional patches of gravel or dirt. You'll often see couples walking or joggers taking advantage of the outdoor-training grounds. read more

A great walking path/trail, gotta watch out for the bikes! but a nice walk and change of pace. It's a pretty long walk in the middle of the afternoon for the summer, but there is enough foliage and wind that you don't feel like you are going to roast. Nice wildlife, flora and fauna to keep yourself entertained. read more

What a great walking/biking trail! I was visiting Connecticut and had a couple hours to burn before I needed to make it to the airport and found this trail, on Yelp actually :) and really enjoyed my time here. When I got to the trail there were several cars in the parking lot on a Friday afternoon around 1 pm and several people were also fishing. The trail is right by the water which makes it really pretty. And the awesome thing about the trail is that on BOTH sides of it is water! Trees also line both sides of the trail making it really nice. In the fall time I can only imagine how gorgeous it is with the all the leaves changing colors. I only walked about 1 mile out but it was so relaxing and peaceful hearing the water current flow. Would highly recommend this trail! read more

A great place to go biking or take a walk next to the river. This will be a place I will defiantly come back too!

Trail is finally opened for the whole distance however very disappointed with the lack of maintenance on the Windsor locks side. Understanding it was closed for the Eagle nesting this spring, there has nonetheless been no upkeep on that portion of the trail which is overrun with weeds and sticks and is a hazard to walkers and bikers alike. The driveway and parking lot are also overgrown, not maintained, and covered with broken glass and debris. Such a disparity when compared to the Suffield entrance! Asking for trash bins and a porta John on the WL entrance is probably also a long shot. read more

what a hidden gem in our area. "try it you'll like it"