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Quinnipiac River State Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ 192 Google reviews · Running trail in North Haven, Connecticut · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Quinnipiac River 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.

PavedTrailhead parking

Riverfront park with recreation opportunities such as fishing, hiking & hunting.

What runners say about Quinnipiac River State Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (192 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Great Blue Trail Trail-head. Plenty of parking behind the Wilbur Cross Dunkin Donuts. There is also a canoe launch here. The trail meanders along the Q and there is a good chance to see deer here.

★★★★☆ — Steve , Nov 2017

This is only a review of the kayak / canoe launch. It gets the boat in the water. Watch out for the poison ivy nearby. Couldn’t really go north due to downed trees, but going south had a clear path all the way down past Route 40 overpass.

★★★★☆ — Jen , Jul 2021

A hidden gem of a Riverside trail located behind a service area on the Wilbur Cross parkway

★★★★★ — Thomas , Oct 2022

Cute park that runs along with the quinnipiac river. A lot of cool old foundations along this trail. My first time hiking at this park and I enjoyed it.

★★★★★ — Ctadventuresandeats , Mar 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 192 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.

🛣️ Paved surface 5 mentions

“From the south end, the paved path ends about a half mile in, leading to a misleading continuation trail path which leads to nowhere.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“Plenty of parking behind the Wilbur Cross Dunkin Donuts.”

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Plan your run at Quinnipiac River State Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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
  • Websitect.gov
  • Phone(860) 424-3200

Hours

Monday 8 AM–7 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–7 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–7 PM
Thursday 8 AM–7 PM
Friday 8 AM–7 PM
Saturday 8 AM–7 PM
Sunday 8 AM–7 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 Quinnipiac River State Park

10 Banton St, North Haven, CT 06473

Get directions

Running trails near North Haven

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

Entrance - Banton Quinnipiac Trail and Canoe Launch

4.1 ★★★★☆ 7 reviews

North Haven, CT

1 miPaved

under a mile away

Chapman-Sinoway

4.5 ★★★★★ 31 reviews

North Haven, CT

under a mile away

Morning Mist Trail

2.5 ★★★☆☆ 2 reviews

North Haven, CT

1.7 miles away

Sleeping Giant State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,988 reviews

Hamden, CT

40 miLoopMixedScenic

State park with hiking trails up a ridge whose uneven profile is thought to evoke a sleeping giant.

2.3 miles away

Hansen Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 59 reviews

North Haven, CT

LoopNatural surfaceLitScenic

Hiking area featuring 3 trails of varying difficulty, plus picnic tables.

2.3 miles away

Town Center Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 231 reviews

Hamden, CT

Scenic

Public park with space for sledding, a farmers' market, concerts, and other events, plus a playground.

2.7 miles away

All running trails in North Haven, 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.