HomeNew HampshireExeter › Swasey Parkway

Swasey Parkway

4.7 ★★★★★ 438 Google reviews · Running trail in Exeter, New Hampshire · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Swasey Parkway'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.

Open 24hScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADATrailhead parkingQuiet

Picturesque space to picnic, walk, jog or take in the river views, with benches and a dog-free policy.

What runners say about Swasey Parkway

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (438 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“Beautiful park for a walk, has a paved path but also a dirt path.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“Such a peaceful place with lots and I mean lots of nature one of my favorite places to go and take the kids”

Beautiful park for a walk, has a paved path but also a dirt path. Benches, gazebo and plenty of grass to have a picnic or just relax. Shady spots with a great view of the river and town of Exeter!

★★★★★ — Brianna , Sep 2023

This is a terrific walking path. There are numerous benches which are great for people with disabilities.

★★★★★ — Joshua , May 2025

Such a beautiful spot for a quick family picnic or a walk. Love the scenic beauty.

★★★★★ — Sefali , Oct 2022

Swasey Parkway is located on river-right on the Squamscott River below the last falls of the Exeter River and is the start of a tidal estuary emptying into Great Bay. The one-half mile long parkway built in ~1930 has many shaded areas and over-looks.

★★★★★ — Don , Aug 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 438 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 13 mentions

“Beautiful park for a walk, has a paved path but also a dirt path.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“Such a peaceful place with lots and I mean lots of nature one of my favorite places to go and take the kids”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 6 mentions

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Swasey Parkway

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websiteexeternh.gov
  • Phone+1 603-772-2411
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Swasey Parkway

316 Water St, Exeter, NH 03833

Get directions

Running trails near Exeter

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

Clemson pond walking trail

5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews

Exeter, NH

Loop

under a mile away

under a mile away

Henderson-Swasey Town Forest

4.5 ★★★★★ 165 reviews

Exeter, NH

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Hiking and biking forest featuring trails for all skill levels.

under a mile away

Oaklands Town Forest

4.5 ★★★★★ 79 reviews

Exeter, NH

LoopNatural surface

Wooded area featuring miles of trails that are popular for hiking and mountain biking.

1.3 miles away

Oaklands Tunnel Trail

3.9 ★★★★☆ 15 reviews

Exeter, NH

1.3 miles away

McDonnell conservation area trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 3 reviews

Exeter, NH

1.7 miles away

All running trails in Exeter, NH →

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.