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Sherwood Island State Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 3,233 Google reviews · Running trail in Westport, Connecticut · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Sherwood Island 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.

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsWaterTrailhead parkingQuiet

235 acres on the coast offering beaches for swimming & fishing, plus picnic areas & a 9/11 memorial.

What runners say about Sherwood Island State Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (3,233 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 14 mentions

“There are many public restrooms and changing areas which were very clean and well ventilated.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“Nice beach for sitting with lots of shaded picnic tables and grills across the park.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 11 mentions

“The horizon is wide, the ocean view is peaceful, there are clear signs to separate fishing and and swimming areas.”

7.1.23 Our 1st time here. Free parking for CT residents. We parked on the West beach area and walked to the Pavillion and East Beach to scope it all out. There are many public restrooms and changing areas which were very clean and well ventilated. Many picnic areas for folks to sit in the shade, have a cook out, etc.

★★★★★ — Margaret , Jul 2023

The state park is well maintained, clean and clam. Family go to place over the weekend. Everything you need to hang out with friends & family is there in park from BBQ stands, long walking paths alongside of the beach, ton of Parking space and proper restrooms and you can enjoy fishing as well.

★★★★☆ — Vivek , Jun 2020

Although it was pretty cold and windy when we went, I really enjoyed my visit to Sherwood Island State Park. The views were great and it was a nice and low-key walk without a lot of people around. A nice quiet walk is always a plus.

★★★★★ — Kevin , Feb 2023

A Nice Coastal Find in CT I honestly didn’t even know this place existed, but I’m so glad I found it! I went out for an event recently and was pleasantly surprised it’s officially been added to my list of go to spots.

★★★★★ — S. , Jun 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 3,233 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.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 15 mentions

“Super good experience of sharing the day with the Lord out-of-state license plates have to pay for parking”

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🚻 Restrooms 10 mentions

“Nice park with two beaches, pavilion with bathrooms and bottle filling stations, 9-11 memorial, picnic/grilling areas, and areas for fishing.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 10 mentions

“The horizon is wide, the ocean view is peaceful, there are clear signs to separate fishing and and swimming areas.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“The mix of sandy beaches, grassy dunes, and sweeping views of Long Island Sound offers endless photo opportunities.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“Nice beach for sitting with lots of shaded picnic tables and grills across the park.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 3 mentions

“Response are clean & wheelchairs accessible.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“The beach sand itself was a bit rocky so I suggest beach shoes.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

“It’s also well equipped for gatherings, with a couple of decks perfect for hosting a small event, plus a nice boardwalk if you want to walk around and get some steps in.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“Nice park with two beaches, pavilion with bathrooms and bottle filling stations, 9-11 memorial, picnic/grilling areas, and areas for fishing.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly

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Plan your run at Sherwood Island State Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • 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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitect.gov
  • Phone(203) 226-6983
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Where to find Sherwood Island State Park

Sherwood Island Connector, Westport, CT 06880

Get directions

Running trails near Westport

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

Aspetuck Land Trust: Haskins Preserve

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Dog-friendly

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H. Smith Richardson Wildlife Preserve

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1.8 miles away

Winslow Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 193 reviews

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2.1 miles away

Shady Beach Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 565 reviews

Norwalk, CT

Shaded

Sandy beach featuring lifeguards & a grassy, tree-shaded picnic area, plus a splash pad & swings.

3.6 miles away

Pine Creek Recreation Plots

4.3 ★★★★☆ 6 reviews

Fairfield, CT

Dog-friendly

3.7 miles away

Partrick Wetlands

4.4 ★★★★☆ 15 reviews

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3.8 miles away

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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.