HomeConnecticutSouthbury › George C Waldo State Park

George C Waldo State Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 136 Google reviews · Running trail in Southbury, Connecticut · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from George C Waldo State Park'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.

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendlyTrailhead parking

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

What runners say about George C Waldo State Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (136 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“There is an extensive trail system that goes down to a lake with some very scenic views.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Easy trails and a nice spot to sit near the water!”

This is a great park to hike, bike, or walk your dog. There is an extensive trail system that goes down to a lake with some very scenic views. Parking is easy and convenient at the trail head. Parking is usually easy but on nice days the parking does fill up quickly.

★★★★★ — David , Mar 2019

Its a great park. BUT why do people with dogs feel they have some God given right to just let their dogs run free off a leash? I love animals of all kinds , I was actually there with my tripod and camera to photography birds.

★★★★☆ — Sal , Jan 2020

Excellent MTB trails for an intermediate rider. A couple of quick sections, but mostly technical switchbacks and rock gardens. Runners often do not obey leash laws and their dogs have a really bad habit of jumping in front of tires. Just be careful while out there.

★★★★☆ — Mark , Apr 2019

Great Mountain Biking. The trial fun, flows well, not too technical and definitely worth the trip. Take the red trail on the left as you get into the parking lot and keep on it till it merges with the purple by the water. The whole loop took me about 40 minutes.

★★★★★ — Will , Apr 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 136 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly 11 mentions

“BUT why do people with dogs feel they have some God given right to just let their dogs run free off a leash?”

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🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“There is an extensive trail system that goes down to a lake with some very scenic views.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 6 mentions

“For mtn biking the trails are flowy single track with a couple of technical rock garden areas but for the most part it is pretty easy to navigate.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“Take the red trail on the left as you get into the parking lot and keep on it till it merges with the purple by the water.”

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Plan your run at George C Waldo State Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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 — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteportal.ct.gov

Hours

Monday 7 am–7 pm
Tuesday 7 am–7 pm
Wednesday 7 am–7 pm
Thursday 7 am–7 pm
Friday 7 am–7 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

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 George C Waldo State Park

457 Purchase Brook 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.

Great Woods Walk

4.8 ★★★★★ 12 reviews

Southbury, CT

under a mile away

Upper Paugussett State Forest

4.7 ★★★★★ 108 reviews

Newtown, CT

Natural surfaceScenic

Large state forest on the river offering multiple hiking trails plus hunting, biking & fishing.

1.0 miles away

Audubon Center Bent of the River

4.9 ★★★★★ 189 reviews

Southbury, CT

Scenic

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

1.8 miles away

Al's Trail

2 ★★☆☆☆ 1 reviews

Newtown, CT

1.9 miles away

Koons Preserve

3.8 ★★★★☆ 5 reviews

Southbury, CT

Dog-friendly

2.1 miles away

Platt Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 14 reviews

Southbury, CT

ScenicDog-friendly

2.4 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.