Riverside Park - Hartford, CT
Riverside Park – Pet-Friendly Paradise in Hartford, Connecticut
Located at 20 Leibert Rd in Hartford, Riverside Park is a spacious dog-friendly destination featuring picturesque river views, pet-friendly trails, and rich amenities to suit families, walkers, and their pets alike. Just minutes from downtown, this Hartford dog park provides lots of free parking, wheelchair-accessible paths, paved trails, and plenty of green space for walking your dog alongside the scenic Connecticut River. Its paved 3.4-mile Riverwalk trail is a highlight for those seeking gentle dog-friendly hiking in Hartford, Connecticut.
The park features amenities like picnic tables, barbecue grills, playgrounds for kids, and well-maintained restrooms—making it a convenient spot for fun outings with both furry and human family members. Security staff and park rangers help maintain a clean and inviting environment, and the park is especially praised for being peaceful and rarely crowded. Whether you’re seeking a relaxing stroll, a riverside picnic, or an urban nature retreat, Riverside Park is a welcoming option for dog owners in the Hartford area.
FAQ – Riverside Park
- Are dogs allowed at Riverside Park? Yes, dogs are allowed at the park.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there are paved walking and hiking trails, including a 3.4-mile Riverwalk trail, perfect for walking with your dog.
- Is there parking available? Yes, the park offers free parking in its lot.
- Are restrooms available? Yes, public and portable restrooms are available at the park.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, both the entrance and parking lot are wheelchair accessible.
- Is there a playground for children? Yes, there is a playground area for kids.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, BBQ grills and picnic tables are provided for visitors.
- Are staff or rangers present at the park? Yes, security guards and park rangers are on site to ensure safety and cleanliness.
- Is the park usually busy? Reviews note that Riverside Park is usually not crowded.
Reviews
Clean park. Plenty of parking. Easy to access water. There is walking trail to walk around the park.
Portable restrooms are available. Playground is also available for family.
We love going here. It’s usually empty. We bring bikes and scooters, and like to ride into downtown Hartford. Sometimes we’ll ride as far as Bushnell Park from Riverside Park. It’s a fun little adventure with the kids.
So today I walked around Riverside Park and it was actually fun to walk around and look at the different things that they had their. My dog enjoy walking alongside the river which is very beautiful. I definitely will be coming back because there is a lot more that I want to explore and look around I also got to see what under the highway looks like. I actually have the park ranger come to me at about 7:40 and told me that the gates are closed at 8 p.m. so I had to hurry back jump in my car and take off before I got locked in.
Its a very nice place to spend time around. It has picnic area tables, grills, and kids playground (though I think It should be upgrades) as it seens not maintained well. But park is amazing, lots of parking. And the security guards do their job well. They keep the park well clean. Gave 3 stars because I think the kids in Hartford deserve a better play ground. To consider! Other than that, I love this park. Lots of walk around. Has the best views on Sunset.
3.26.22 Lots of free parking. Some parts of the Riverwalk were flooded on the 3.4-mile paved trail we wanted to do from Riverside Park to Charter Oak. So had to move car once. Otherwise it was absolutely wonderful as we had a perfect spring day. The trees are starting to bud. The park and walk were not busy at all.