Coventry

Hike Coventry, CT

If you’re looking for the best hiking trails in Coventry this is the complete guide to all the long trails, waterfalls, and history it has to offer.

Coventry preserves over 1,800 acres across 13 explorable locations with over 21 miles of trails. There are boating/fishing options along Coventry Lake and the Willimantic River as well as mountain biking in the state forest and a disc golf course.

Trail range from simple field loops to wooded hill climbs

Links

Explore

My Highlights

The deep woods groves at Nathan Hale
Trail options down to a view of the river at the Williams Preserve

Hiking

Town Parks

Creaser Park –★★– 2 miles – Simple trail loops, fishing along Skungamaug River, camp cabins, a rentable pavilion, and a 9 hole disc golf course
Lisike Beach – Small beach on Coventry Lake.
- Resident season pass: $10 per vehicle.
- Non-resident passes available: $10 weekdays, $20 weekend.
Mill Brook Park –★★– 0.35 miles – A beautiful postage stamp of a park with a gazebo, mill view, and book trail
Patriots Park – Small park with a small beach on Coventry Lake
Patriots Park Woods –★– 0.8 miles – A forgotten town trail
Riverview Trail Park –★– 0.66 miles – A short out and back trail along the Willimantic River part of the Willimantic River Trail
Thornton Brook Preserve –★–1 mile – An unmaintained loop hike at last visit with confusing trails and blazes
William Hunt Preserve – Proposed 1 mile trail in 2023 (proposed trail map)
Williams Preserve –★★– 2 miles – Coventry’s newest town park in 2018, trails here head down to the Willimantic River and connect to Joshua’s Trust Couch Preserve

Land Trust

Joshua’s Trust
- Couch Preserve –★★– .6 miles – A simple lollipop loop that connects to Coventry’s new Williams Preserve
- Broadway Meadow –★– No trails – Two small meadows offer a brief walk along their perimeter next to a subdivision

State Parks / Forests

DEEP Meadow –★– No trails – A small meadow maintained by the state along the Willimantic River
Hop River Trail – The current southern terminus is in Coventry on Kings Rd and continues through town for at least 4 miles
Nathan Hale State Forest –★★★★– 12 miles – Confusing but excellent trails and mountain bike singletrack that start behind the Nathan Hale Homestead

Other

Nathan Hale Greenway (proposed trail map)
Willimantic River Hiking Trail – The trail clips the northeast corner of Coventry at Riverview Trail Park and a short road walk before heading into Tolland

Boating/Fishing

Coventry Lake Boat Launch (Parking Link) – Public access for the 373 acre Coventry Lake for boating
Willimantic River Paddlers Trail
- No boat launches in Coventry though the town’s western border is basically the river. Nearby boat launches include Heron Cove, Merrow Meadow, River Park, and Eagleville Preserve

What's Nearby

Bidwell Tavern

Town History

Coventry was first settled in 1709. It was named from Coventry in Warwickshire, England and was the first town in the colonies to adopt the name. It was officially incorporated in May 1712 making it the 46th oldest town in Connecticut.

The lake has long drawn New Yorkers and, in the 1930s, vaudeville performers established an actors’ colony on the west side. The streets are named for Clark Gable, Carole Lombard and other stars. Tommy Dorsey performed at a casino there, said Bill Jobbagy, the town’s ad hoc historian and the author of a book about East Coventry. Joan Crawford, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz are among other big names believed to have performed or vacationed there, he said.

Now get out and explore Coventry, CT!

Old Tolland Turnpike Pathway

★☆☆☆☆

584 Old Tolland Turnpike, Coventry, CT, USA

Old Tolland Turnpike Pathway Coventry Town Park 1 acre in Coventry, CT Parking: Shoulder parking near 584 Old Tolland Turnpike, Coventry, CT Trail Map Trails:…

Coventry Lake Boat Launch

★★☆☆☆

30 Cross Street, Coventry, CT, USA

Coventry Lake Connecticut State Boat Launch 1 acre in Coventry, CT Parking: Medium sized lot near 30 Cross St, Coventry, CT Trail Map Trails: No…

Laidlaw Recreation Area

★★☆☆☆

999 Merrow Rd, Coventry, CT, USA

Laidlaw Recreation Area Coventry Town Park 43 acres in Coventry, CT Parking: Medium sized lot near 999 Merrow Rd, Coventry, CT Trail Map …

Schmid Overlook

★☆☆☆☆

41.738309, -72.263433

Schmid Overlook Joshua’s Trust 20 acres in Coventry, CT Parking: Shoulder parking near 88 Flanders Road, Coventry, CT Trail Map Trails: 0.6 miles …

Mill Brook Park

★★☆☆☆

41.767405, -72.301995

Mill Brook Park Coventry Town Park 8 acres in Coventry, CT Parking: Small lot near 1265 Main St, Coventry, CT Trail Map Trails:…

Riverview Trail Park

★★☆☆☆

41.824215, -72.314093

Riverview Trail Park Coventry Town Park 10 acres in Coventry, CT Parking: Shoulder parking near 13 Merrow Rd, Storrs, CT Trail Map Trails: Less…

Couch Preserve

★★☆☆☆

90 Cooper Lane, Coventry, CT, USA

Elizabeth Couch Preserve Joshua’s Trust 17.68 acres in Coventry, CT Parking: Shoulder parking near 90 Cooper Lane, Coventry, CT Trail Map Trails: 0.6 miles …