Length:                 Putnam River Trail; 1.8 miles

                                River Mills Heritage Trail; 1.1 miles

                                Putnam River Trail Loop (Includes the River Mills Heritage Trail); 4 mile Loop                             

                                Technology Park Drive Trail; 0.4 miles

                                Quinebaug River Trail; Northern Section; 1.6 miles

                                Quinebaug River Trail; Southern Section; 3.7 miles

Difficulty:             Putnam River Trail; Easy. Flat, paved trail.

                                River Mills Heritage Trail; Easy. Paved trail w/a slight hill. Some on-road.

                                Quinebaug River Trail; Northern Section; Easy. Flat, paved trail.

                                Quinebaug River Trail; Southern Section; Easy. Paved, relatively flat trail. 

For the Putnam River Trail in Putnam [Southern End]; From I-395 take exit 45 to Kennedy Drive and travel right, north. Take your first left to the Kennedy Drive parking lot #1 [Southern End]. There are 5 more parking lots located North, along Kennedy Drive.

For the Quinebaug River Trail; Take exit 37 off of I-395 to Route 6 west. Turn right on Route 12 north (Main St). 

    For the Southern Water Street parking lot in Danielson [Northern Section]; Take your first right on Water St. The parking lot is on your left. At the far end of the parking lot is cross-light over to the trail.

    For the Northern Water Street parking lot in Danielson [Northern End]; Take your third left on Commerce Ave, then a left on Water St. A parking lot is on your right next to the pedestrian bridge.

To start from the Quinebaug Drive parking lot [Southern End]; Take exit 37 off of I-395 to Route 6 west. After passing underneath the Providence & Worcester Railroad Bridge, take a left at the first stoplight along Wauregan Rd (Route 12) south. After 1.1 miles turn right on Quinebaug Drive. Parking lot is just before you cross the trail.

The Putnam River Trail travels North-South through the town of Putnam, traveling along the Eastern Side of the Quinebaug River. Interpretive signs are located along the trail, commemorating Putnam’s railroad history, textile mills, and founding citizens. The river’s natural resources and the Great Flood of 1955 are highlighted as well. From the Northern End of the Putnam River Trail, you can Loop South, along the River Mills Heritage Trail, as it threads its way along the Western Side of the Quinebaug River,   linking together historic mills and buildings. It then connects back to the Putnam River Trail. At the Southern End of the Putnam River Trail, the Technology Park Drive Trail crosses the Quinebaug River and travels South, to Technology Park Dr. 

Note; Future construction will connect the Technology Park Drive Trail North, up to the rail bed of the Airline State Park Trail; North , which will also utilize this trail to bypass the missing bridge over the Quinebaug River, which was wiped out in the Great Flood of 1955.

A Gap exists South, to the Quinebaug River Trail; Northern Section. 

Note; Funds were allocated in 2025, to construct a paved trail South, linking the Putnam River Trail to the Quinebaug River Trail; Northern Section.

The Northern Section of the Quinebaug River Trail travels alongside roads from Dayville North, to Putnam and is of little scenic interest. The Southern Section begins in Danielson and travels South, along the Quinebaug River for its entire route. Danielson was the largest cotton manufacturing center in the state. Providence & Danielson Trolley cars ran from Danielson through East Killingly into RI. The Connecticut Company and its predecessors ran North-South through the mill towns along the Quinebaug River until 1925. It appears that part of the Quinebaug River Trail runs along part of this former rail line, the 1893 Peoples Tramway Company. 

Note; Future construction will continue the Quinebaug River Trail; Southern Section South, another 0.5 miles to the Plainfield town line. Future construction will then extend the trail South, to Route 205 in the Wauregan Section of Plainfield. Funds were approved in 2023 to continue the trail South, from Route 205 1.6 miles to Trout Hatchery Rd & Cady Ln. The last section will take the trail East and connect with the Moosup Valley State Park Trail in Moosup.

Starting from the Kennedy Drive parking lot #1 [Southern End]; The parking lot is located next to the Quinebaug River and contains a Map Board for the QUINEBAUG RIVER WATER TRAIL and a canoe launch.

Note; A Gap exists South, to the Quinebaug River Trail; Northern Section. Funds were allocated in 2025, to construct a paved trail South, linking the Putnam River Trail to the Quinebaug River Trail; Northern Section.

Note; Heading left, West, over an old road bridge across the Quinebaug River, the paved Technology Park Drive Trail travels South, out to Technology Park Drive, across from the YMCA. The trail continues right, alongside the road and up a slight hill before ending after 0.4 miles. 

Note; Future construction will connect the Technology Park Drive Trail North, up to the rail bed of the Airline State Park Trail; North , which will also utilize this trail to bypass the missing bridge over the Quinebaug River, which was wiped out in the Great Flood of 1955.

The paved Putnam River Trail travels North, alongside the Quinebaug River. Pass by a "Dog Park" before passing by the Farmers Market parking lot #2 after 0.25 miles. BIKE STATION and Map Board here. A Porto-Potty located here as well. Informational signs & a Story Walk located along the trail, along with artwork & statues. You'll come to a pedestrian bridge over the river on your left after 0.5 miles. 

Note; If you cross this bridge it will bring you to an informational sign about the Great Flood of 55. Up the hill is the former Air Line RR bed. The pedestrian bridge is built where the old Airline RR trestle used to cross the river before being wiped out by the Great Flood of 55. You can still see the stone abutments and the pedestrian bridge utilizes the old center pier. 

Continuing North along the trail, will bring you to the Kennedy Drive parking lot #3. Another Porto-Potty, picnic tables and Map Board for the QUINEBAUG RIVER WATER TRAIL along the river are located here in Simonzi Park. Heading North, between the river and Kennedy Drive you'll pass by Kennedy Drive parking lots #4 & 5 before coming to the Route 44 Bridge at 1.2 miles. A cross-light takes you to an overlook of Cargill Falls. The trail splits, right simply heading alongside the road, so head left along the river. Caution, the trail is narrow here. This takes you past some monuments and an amphitheater in Rotary Park. Spot the fire cauldrons in the river that are used for River Fire. See; DISCOVER PUTNAM for more information. A cross-light takes you over Bridge St where the paved trail turns into a wide sidewalk at 1.5 miles. Pass by Kennedy Drive parking lot #6. After passing by some old mills you'll come to tiny Miller Park and Map Board at 1.8 miles where the trail ends next to *Providence Street.

[Continuing Mileage] Starting from *Providence Street, turn left, West, down Providence St, utilizing the sidewalk and cross over the river. Turn left, South, along Church St where you may ride on-road (low traffic) or utilize a narrow sidewalk. You'll come to the Putnam Sports Complex at 2.1 miles. Basketball courts and Skate Park. Pick up the narrow paved trail on your left and follow it back to the river. Here you'll enjoy good views of a dam. Follow the trail, South, alongside the river to Bridge St. 

Note; You may head left, East, over Bridge Street bridge, to rejoin the Putnam River Trail, in order to avoid a short hill, Otherwise;

Cross over Bridge St and follow the paved trail through Veterans Park, back out to Church St. Head left, South, on-road past the old Putnam High School, now Town Hall. Spot a magnificent Cooper Beach tree towering over the road. Head up a short, but steep hill where you'll be rewarded with great views of the river and town of Putnam at 2.6 miles. Head back downhill and you'll come to Route 44. Hang a left, East, past the Cargill Mills, cross back over the river and rejoin the Putnam River Trail after 2.8 miles. Turn right, South and return to the Kennedy Drive parking lot #1 after a 4 mile Loop. 

Note; Funds were allocated in 2025, to extend the Quinebaug River Trail North, to connect to the Putnam River Trail.

Starting from the Northern Water Street parking lot in Danielson [Northern End]; A small amphitheatre is located to the right of the pedestrian bridge and an informational sign is located to the left.

Note; The pedestrian bridge crosses Five Mile Pond to the intersection of Palmer St and Prospect Ave.

Heading South, the Quinebaug River Trail follows a sidewalk (This section is not very distinguished as a trail. There are some East Coast Greenway signs) along Water St out to Main St. Turn right, crossing Five Mile River and you'll come to Route 6. Use the cross-light over Route 6 and turn left along the narrow sidewalk. This will bring you to a wide, paved trail after 0.3 miles.

Note; A cross-light over Route 6 brings you to the Southern Water Street parking lot.

Note; Head right to Overlook #1. The Quinebaug River and an old Power Canal are down below. 

Heading left, South, the paved, tree lined trail travels between Route 6 and the Quinebaug River located far below. There are 3 more Overlooks, however, they are mostly overgrown and afford little views. There are benches and picnic tables along this section of the trail, as well as, more informational signs. Come to Overlook #4, where you'll find a BIKE STATION, before the trail follows a sidewalk downhill along Route 12. Turn right, Southwest, at 0.8 miles, to rejoin the paved trail as it passes by the Killingly Water Treatment Plant and brings you alongside the river. Be sure to hold your nose. You'll pass by a spur to the Route 12 ball fields parking area on your left and a canoe launch with a Map Board for the QUINEBAUG RIVER WATER TRAIL on your right. The trail heads into the woods and passes by exercise stations. Cross an iron rail bridge over Fall Brook at 1.5 miles. The trail winds through the woods above the river. Cross Quinebaug Drive at 2.4 miles. Left is the Quinebaug Drive parking lot. To your right is the Phaiah's Dog Park parking lot. Porto-Potty located here. You head into deep woods. Come to an intersection at 3.1 miles. Left takes you out to Gloria Ave. The trail continues along a causeway, between the river and Quandock Brook Pond. Come to Quandock Brook after 3.7 miles. 

Note; Phase 6 will construct a bridge over the brook and continue another 0.5 miles to the Plainfield town line. Phase 7 will extend the trail South, to Route 205 in the Wauregan Section of Plainfield. Funds were approved in 2023 to continue the trail South, from Route 205 1.6 miles to Trout Hatchery Rd & Cady Ln. The last section will take the trail East and connect with the Moosup Valley State Park Trail in Moosup.