Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail

The Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail is a walking path along a historic waterway that runs approximately 4.5 miles between the Connecticut River and a canal built over 170 years ago. The route offers water views throughout and connects the landscape between two major water bodies.

The canal was built before the Civil War and allowed boats to navigate through shallow river sections. By the mid-1800s, railroads replaced it as the primary way to move freight.

The path follows the original towpath where mules and handlers moved freight barges along the waterway, preserving an important piece of industrial work life. This role as a transportation route still shapes how the land looks and feels today.

Access to the trail is seasonal, with the path closed from November through April to protect wildlife. Parking is available at Canal Bank Road in Windsor Locks and Canal Road in Suffield.

The trail is closed from November through March to protect nesting bald eagles in the area. This protection makes the space a critical refuge for these birds during breeding season.

Location: Hartford County

Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Windsor-Locks-Canal-State-Park-Trail

GPS coordinates: 41.98640,-72.60530

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:08