Great Barrington Housatonic River Walk

The Housatonic Riverwalk in Great Barrington is pawfect for those who are short on time but still need to get in a walk with Fido. This half-mile trail is may be short, but it boasts some amazing biodiversity! The walk is divided into two sections -- upstream, you will find a habitat full of native foliage that has been reintroduced to the area. Downstream, you will find a lush"rain garden" that is tended by local volunteers. 

The paw-path follows along the edge of the Housatonic and has plenty of benches for you and your furry companion to take in all the lovely sights and scents! There are poo bag dispensers on both ends of the trail for when your pooch needs a different kind of break. Keep the trail beautiful by cleaning up after your pooch. The nature walk is open during daylight hours from spring to fall. The path can get icy when the weather turns cold. For visitor safety, the trail closed during the winter months. The riverwalk is most popular on weekend afternoons. Avoid the crowd by stopping in early or on weekdays. 

This picturesque trail has not always been so beautiful. This river was neglected for years, filled with raw sewage and toxins from the nearby industrial plant, the banks completely trashed with debris from demolitions. The riverwalk was created as part of a nature reclamation project, where volunteers removed 15 tons of garbage and debris that had accumulated along the banks. The rain garden was put in place to naturally cleanse the soil and river water from the years of toxic buildup. Species such as Cardinal Flower, Cattail, and Swamp Milkweed pull nitrogen and phosphorus from the soil and stormwater, recharging the habitat. Don't pick the flowers -- they have a very important job and are much more beautiful when they can be enjoyed by everyone!

Bring the whole pack; we promise there is no better place for a quick scenic walk in Great Barrington! Just don't forget the leash!