Willimantic River Paddler's Guide

Willimantic River Paddler’s Guide

The Willimantic River runs 25 miles from near Stafford Springs to where it joins the Natchaug River past Willimantic to form the Shetucket River.

There are a number of parks (listed below) along the river which offer a mix of hiking, boating, and even swimming.

Hiking

About a dozen parks offer trails along the river including sections of the Air Line Trail and Hop River Trail.

• See the options at the bottom of the page.

There is a 7 mile multi-town hiking trail which currently runs from Mansfield to Tolland.  I hiked the length of this long trail in spring 2021

• Willimantic River Hiking Trail

Paddler’s Trail

The Willimantic River Paddlers Trail can take you nearly the entire 22.5 miles from Stafford Springs to Willimantic.  It was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2012.  There is one portage at the Eagleville Dam.

Whitewater – American Whitewater cites two stretches:

• 1. Eagleville Dam to Bridge Street – Class I-II – This one is a popular flatwater float
• 2. Bridge St. to the Thread Mill – Class III-IV – A Willimantic group is trying to build a whitewater park here though progress has been slow and given the three dams in this stretch it is currently un-runnable
  • Willimantic Whitewater Partnership

Boat Launch List

(Printable version)

• Mile 0.0 – Stafford Springs Commuter Lot — (Parking Link)
• Mile 4.3 – Cole Wilde Trout Management Area — (Parking at Willington I-84 Rest Stop)
• Mile 5.9 – Nye-Holman State Forest — (Parking Link)
• Mile 6.5 – Heron Cove Park — (Parking Link)
• Mile 10.8 – Merrow Meadow Park — (Parking Link)
• Mile 13.7 – River Park (Mansfield) — (Parking Link)
• Mile 15.1 – Portage at Eagleville Dam Eagleville Preserve — (Parking Link)
• Mile 21.4 – Not a great launch, but paddlers can take out at the bridge near Mackey’s, the official take out is on the western side of the bridge — (Parking Link)