HomeConnecticutSouthbury › Audubon Center Bent of the River

Audubon Center Bent of the River

4.9 ★★★★★ 189 Google reviews · Running trail in Southbury, Connecticut · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Audubon Center Bent of the River's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Nature preserve and wildlife sanctuary offering trails, picnic areas, and river views.

What runners say about Audubon Center Bent of the River

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (189 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Gorgeous natural area for birding and hiking, with well maintained and clearly marked trails with plenty of benches.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 12 mentions

“Gorgeous natural area for birding and hiking, with well maintained and clearly marked trails with plenty of benches.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 7 mentions

“I tried to stay back and quiet so as not to stress her out, but I managed to get a BEAUTIFUL video before leaving her to it.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Trails are not very difficult and are family-friendly.”

This place is GORGEOUS. I never thought I'd be into birdwatching, but they have SO much more here - beavers, turtles, etc. And they're very comfortable with humans so they'll get close and are used to cameras! The other day I went walking along the main trail and passed by a turtle laying her eggs!

★★★★★ — Day , Jun 2021

Beautiful walk! Love this hiking trail. Gorgeous stream nearby and lovely birds/shrubbery. Good place for bird watchers and people who like quiet hiking trails. There is a little covered bridge at the start of the walk that has maps of the trail available as well!

★★★★★ — Sarah , May 2021

My first time here 4.22.2023 As you first start walking here lots of song birds. Bird watchers paradise I loved the trails and the river. Lots of trails here. Did about 5.6 miles and still didn't do all the trails. I will definitely return There is an overlook.

★★★★★ — Curt , Apr 2023

Beautiful trails and birds, birds, birds. Great hikes and bird watching at the awesome barn.

★★★★★ — Adam , May 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 189 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 15 mentions

“Gorgeous natural area for birding and hiking, with well maintained and clearly marked trails with plenty of benches.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 7 mentions

“I tried to stay back and quiet so as not to stress her out, but I managed to get a BEAUTIFUL video before leaving her to it.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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🚻 Restrooms

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Plan your run at Audubon Center Bent of the River

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitebentoftheriver.audubon.org
  • Phone+1 203-264-5098
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 am–6 pm
Tuesday 8 am–6 pm
Wednesday 8 am–6 pm
Thursday 8 am–6 pm
Friday 8 am–6 pm
Saturday 8 am–6 pm
Sunday 8 am–6 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Audubon Center Bent of the River

185 E Flat Hill Rd, Southbury, CT 06488

Get directions

Running trails near Southbury

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Platt Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 14 reviews

Southbury, CT

ScenicDog-friendly

under a mile away

Koons Preserve

3.8 ★★★★☆ 5 reviews

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Dog-friendly

under a mile away

Platt Farm Preserve

4.9 ★★★★★ 13 reviews

Southbury, CT

Dog-friendly

1.2 miles away

George C Waldo State Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 136 reviews

Southbury, CT

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Recreation area for hiking and mountain biking trails, plus a riverside picnic area.

1.8 miles away

Great Woods Walk

4.8 ★★★★★ 12 reviews

Southbury, CT

2.1 miles away

Settlers Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 92 reviews

Southbury, CT

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring a playground, gazebo, picnic area.

2.6 miles away

All running trails in Southbury, CT →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.