Photos
Description
Windsor Meadows State Park
155 acres in Windsor, CT
Parking: Medium sized lot near E Barber St, Windsor, CT
Trail Map Trails: Less than a mile Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Windsor Meadows is a small state park sandwiched between the railroad and the Connecticut River long know as a popular boat launch. Within the last decade it has developed to include a short handicap accessible walking path and a provides access to a multi-use trail over the Bissell Bridge
Boating:
Windsor Meadows State Park is mainly a boat launch into the Connecticut River. The Bissell Bridge Boat Launch is a wide concrete ramp down to the water and there is parking for at least 22 trailers.
You can also walk along shore a bit in either direction for fishing though there are a number of rules posted about what not to catch and what not to eat.
Hiking:
At the south corner next to the boat launch is an entrance to the Windsor River Trail which is a wide path in the flood plain of the river heading off into the woods for about 2/3rds of a mile. It was after sunset by the time I got to the park so I skipped the path until my next visit so here’s Peter Marteka’s 2012 description,
“Visitors will experience the river as the 10-foot-wide, handicapped-accessible path twists and turns along the high banks. There are several overlooks and picnic spots along the way as the trail crosses Decker’s Brook over a nice iron bridge and ends behind several businesses.
It will be easy to figure out where the trail comes to an end — a huge beech tree with its grey bark and grotesque trunk and branches play off the autumn-barren woods behind it. Old initials carved years ago are on its trunk and the old farm fences nearby speak to the beech’s former life as a “wolf tree,” as it once provided shade for cattle.”
I did however explore past the small picnic area and pavilion next to the ramp and north a bit under the bridge. The asphalt does continue in this direction past the bridge and the state owns several acres to the north, but it quickly turns into a thicket of weeds and trees so I didn’t even attempt to explore what unmarked trails may exist.
At the entrance to the park there is also access to the multi-use trail that leads from the park up onto Bissell Bridge and along I-291 for 1.8 miles connecting to Main St in South Windsor.
History:
Established as a state park in 1968.
Links:
- CTMQ – Windsor Meadows State Park (2017)
- Peter Marteka – Rediscovering The Connecticut River In Windsor (2012)
The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.
Last updated: September 28th, 2020
Visited 2378 times, 2 Visits today
