The route begins in East Hartford's Great River Park. Park amenities include performance facilities, a public boat launch, fishing access, public art, a seasonal drinking fountain and port-o-lets (Memorial Day to Labor Day), pet waste station, charcoal grills, and bike racks.
Departing from Great River Park, the path heads north to the Founders Bridge Promenade which connects East Hartford with Hartford, linking directly to Mortensen Riverfront Plaza. Here, trail users can access the Hartford Riverwalk via the terrace stairs or seasonal elevator (May 1 through October 15). Mortensen Riverfront Plaza is the centerpiece of the Riverfront Recapture park system with a stage at the river's edge and seating for 2,500 people on a grassy terrace.
Heading south along the river, the trail passes the Colt Dome and arrives at its southern end in Charter Oak Landing. Just south of Downtown Hartford, this park is home to a pair of nesting eagles, and features amenities such as a public boat launch, fishing access, playground, picnic tables, seasonal port-o-lets (Memorial Day to Labor Day), pet waste station, charcoal grills, and bike racks. There is also access to the Charter Oak Bridge pedestrian walkway, linking back to the East Hartford Riverwalk. This section includes spectacular city views and the Lincoln Sculpture Walk while traveling north past the confluence of the Connecticut and Hockanum Rivers though the floodplain and returning to Great River Park.
The Riverwalk trail system is subject to seasonal flooding. Visit riverfront.org for updates on trail conditions.
There is no ramp to access the Charter Oak Bridge walkway. Founders Bridge features a seasonal (May 1 through October 15) elevator on the Hartford side.
Open daily from sunrise to sunset. Parks close and gates lock nightly at sunset.
For more information, visit the Riverfront Recapture website or contact:
Parking is available at Great River Park and Charter Oak Landing. The trail can also be accessed via Mortensen Riverfront Plaza.
Great River Park is served by CTtransit Route 87 and Charter Oak Landing is served by CTtransit Route 59.
From North: Take I-91 South to Exit 30, merging onto I-84 East. Take Exit 53 and keep right. The park entrance is on right.
From South: Take I-91 North and Exit 29 to merge onto CT-15 North. Take Exit 90, merging onto CT-2 West. Take East River Drive exit (Exit 4) and turn left onto East River Drive extension. The park entrance is on left.
From East: Take I-84 West to Exit 57 and continue onto CT-15 South. Take the East River Drive exit (Exit 90) and turn left onto East River Drive Extension. The park entrance is on left.
From West: Take I-84 East to Exit 53. Keep right, then turn right onto East River Drive. The park entrance is on right.
From North: Take I-91 South to the Airport Road exit (Exit 27). Turn left onto Airport Road, left onto Brainard Road, and then left onto Reserve Road. The park entrance is on right.
From South: Take I-91 North to the Brainard Road exit (Exit 27). Turn left onto Brainard Road, then left onto Reserve Road. The park entrance is on right.
From East: Take I-84 to Hartford, then the Charter Oak Bridge exit (Exit 57). Continue on US-5/CT-15 South to the Brainard Road exit (Exit 87) and turn left onto Brainard Road, then left onto Reserve Road. The park entrance is on right.
From West: Take I-84 East. Take Exit 52 to merge onto I-91 South. Take the Airport Road exit (Exit 27) and turn left onto Brainard Road, then left onto Reserve Road. The park entrance is on right.
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