Photos
Description
Bigelow Hollow State Park
Connecticut State Park / Nipmuck State Forest
516 acres in Union, CT
Parking: Several large lots along the park’s road off CT-171.
Trail Map Trails: 35 miles Rating: ★★★★☆
The hollow of Bigelow Hollow is formed by ridgelines to the east and west and when combined with the surrounding areas, forms one of the largest unbroken forest tracts in Connecticut. The state park property only encompasses Bigelow Pond to the shore of Mashapaug Pond and the rest of the park is Nipmuck State Forest land both east and west. The two properties are so closely networked that they fall under the same heading at the DEEP.
Hiking
The state park property has about five miles of trails including the yellow Bigelow Pond loop and the blue/white Mashapuag Pond View Trail. However these trails connect to those in the Nipmuck State Forest for a total of 35 miles.
The area has a 3 mile stretch of the blue blaze Nipmuck Trail that serves as its northern terminus where it meets the Massachusetts border.
The best swimming here is off the rocks on the peninsula a short quarter mile hike northwest of the boat launch on Mashapaug Pond.
These trails also provide access to 2 lean-tos and a camping area along Breakneck Pond. camping shelters
Send an application form at least two weeks before an intended stay to the address indicated on the form to reserve the site. Helpful links for planning a backpacking trip using this campsite.
There are boat launches to Bigelow Pond (24.5 acres) and Mashapuag Lake (287 acres) along the park road. The links provide overviews, pictures, and guidelines.
History:
Established as a state park in 1949 from Nipmuck State Forest land. The origin of “Bigelow” is a mystery.
Links:
NEMBA – Mountain Biking at Bigelow Hollow
Peter Marteka – Golden Autumn Colors On Mashapaug Pond (2015)
CTMQ – TSTL’17.5: Bigelow Hollow State Park
Diego Cupolo – Bigelow Hollow State Park
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Last updated April 23, 2019
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