Explore Coventry, CT
Coventry at a Glance
Part of Tolland County
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 hosting:
- 13 explorable locations with over 21 miles of trails.
- 2 boating/fishing options along Coventry Lake and the Willimantic River
- 1 mountain biking area
- 1 disc golf course
Trail range from simple field loops to wooded hill climbs.
My Highlights
- The deep woods groves at Nathan Hale State Forest
- 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
Disc Golf
- Creaser Park – 9 hole disc golf course with a few holes around a pond
Mountain Biking
- Nathan Hale State Forest –★★★★– 12 miles – Confusing but excellent trails and mountain bike singletrack that start behind the Nathan Hale Homestead
- Bidwell Tavern – Landmark tavern since 1822 serving wings and pub fare under historical photos & exposed beams.
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.
