Union

Hike Union, CT

Part of Tolland County

If you’re looking for the best hiking trails in Union this is the complete guide to all the long trails, waterfalls, and history it has to offer.

Union preserves at least 8000 acres of land nearly half its total acreage. There are 6 hiking areas for 38 miles of trails and 3 boating areas.

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Hiking

Town Parks

  • None

Land Trust

  • New Roxbury Land Trust
    • Manchester Field and Woods — No marked trails

State Parks / Forest

  • Bigelow Hollow State Park –★★★★–  35 miles — Miles of trails connecting to the state forest, boating on Mashapaug Pond, camping on Breakneck Pond, and the Cat Rocks
  • Nipmuck State Forest
    • Mountain Laurel Sanctuary — ★★ – Beautiful drive when the laurel is in bloom, but not much for trails unfortunately
    • Bear Den –★★- 10 miles – Not much for hiking more geared towards mountain biking

Blue Blaze

The Rest

  • Yale Forest Camp –★★– 2+ miles — Easy trails, mill ruins, and the camp on private property so please be respectful

What's Nearby
  • Traveler Restaurant – Popular stop off I-84 with great food and a free book with every meal

Town History

The Town of Union was first settled in 1727 and incorporated in 1732 making it the 57th oldest town in Connecticut, but the the last town to be settled east of the Connecticut River, largely because of its rough terrain and poor soil.

The name Union was chosen because the “Union Lands” were a union of East Stafford and existing state lands. While 12,500 acres was sold to 12 proprietors in 1720, the first settler James McNall didn’t arrive until 1727. Lumber was the main industry here with as least seven sawmills. There was also a grist mill and a fulling mill and shoes and axe handles were also made here.

Governor Trumbull, during the revolutionary war, tapped the community as a source of “black lead” or graphite from the Indians. During the Revolutionary War Governor Trumbull tapped this valuable resource for our cannon foundries, likely for the cannon ball molds. Using graphite in the mold as a refractory material resulted in rounder, smoother ammunition that could be fired farther.

Now go out and hike Union, CT!

Bear Den

★★☆☆☆

198 Skopek Rd, Union, CT, USA

Bear Den / Paine Hill – Nipmuck State Forest Connecticut State Forest Roughly 2600 acres in Union, CT Parking: North End: Shoulder parking near 198 Skopek Rd,…

Yale Forest Camp

★★☆☆☆

41.969302, -72.112422

Yale Forest Camp Yale Forest in Union, CT and Eastford, CT Parking: Shoulder parking near 98 Bigelow Hollow Rd Union, CT Trail Map        Trails:…

Morey Pond Boat Launch

★★☆☆☆

41.970439, -72.194359

Morey Pond Boat Launch Connecticut State Water Access 44 acres in Union, CT Parking: Down the road near 723 Buckley Hwy Union, CT Trail Map     …

Mountain Laurel Sanctuary

★★☆☆☆

41.955897, -72.209270

Mountain Laurel Sanctuary Connecticut State Forest 337 acres in Union, CT Parking: Shoulder parking on Snow Hill Rd, Union, CT Trail Map       Trails: Less than…

Walker Mountain

★★☆☆☆

41.975883, -72.140336

Yale Forest: Walker Mountain Connecticut Blue Blaze Trail in Ashford and Union, CT Parking: North end: Shoulder parking just east of the main entrance to Bigelow Hollow… Read more…

Bigelow Hollow State Park

★★★★★

41.994655, -72.130835

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… Read more…