It is a nice property in northern Connecticut - 9,000 acres according to the official website. One of Connecticut's best state parks. Hotels near (PVD) Theodore Francis Airport, Bigelow Hollow State Park: Tickets & Tours‎. Hikers should be prepared to walk at least 6 miles to complete a loop around Breakneck. The name "Bigelow" is a mystery since no person of that name seems to have been associated with this area. Regulations: Use of internal combustion engines prohibited. Beautiful Swimming and Fishing Spot - Visited Many Times, This is one of the the largest lakes in CT. STAY AWAY, I didn't mind the area in which we visited and I understand based on the location there is no running water. Hollow State Park fit our interests ! Located in Bigelow Hollow State Park, Mashapaug Lake covers a massive 287 acres. Nipmuck State Forest and the adjoining Bigelow Hollow State Park offer over 9,000 acres of recreation opportunities including miles of hiking trails, and an 18-acre pond in Eastern Connecticut. 171, 1.3 miles east of junction with Rte. It was about 8 miles round trip. 6 " N, 72°0 '36 .59" W This map shows lake depth. Some are close to the water, some are a bit elevated from the water, giving a bit better view of the water. Membership; Admin; Contact; Facebook; Twitter; Amazon Bigelow Hollow State Park Nipmuck State Forest UNION 41°5 9' . The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Lots of drinkng and trash. Passed 6 others along the trail. Bigelow Hollow State Park, Tolland County, CT. Lower Bigelow Lake. The lake itself is very picturesque and beautiful, but we were probably just a bit early to see the peak fall colors. The park and forest are located in a large hollow or depression approximately 700' below the surrounding ridgelines. Bit of a hike to the lake. Great variety on the trail. The park is in kind of a remote area in Ct. area and a beautiful sight of the water and view ahead. Some flat, some rock scrambles, a few streams to cross on logs or rocks. Bigelow Hollow State Park, in Union, Connecticut is a Connecticut state park surrounded by Nipmuck State Forest, and bordering Mashapaug Lake.There are picnic benches, beaches, and a boat launch, plus miles of hiking trails. But we think it’s during the warmer months that this park truly shines. The Fall Tracker said the peak colors could be seen around the CT-MA border and we felt that the Bigelow Hollow State Park fit our interests ! Beautiful views. DEEP is continuing to carry out its mission and provide services while keeping both the public and our workforce safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please choose a different date. Seriously! There's a boat launch and large picnic area, but the nearest parking lot fills quickly, so be prepared to walk a bit. Bigelow Hollow State Park, Nipmuck State Forest, Mashapaug Lake, Breakneck Pond, Bigelow Pond Union Connecticut 05/22/20 Music: The Old RV. Gravel ramp. Today Nipmuck State Forest and Bigelow Hollow total over 9,000 acres. This picture of Bigelow Pond is the first body of water you would see on the left of the park entrance. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the teen was swimming in Mashapaug Lake at Bigelow Hollow State Park Sunday afternoon when he drowned. Bigelow Pond is a "no gas motors lake", so canoes & kayaks are great here. It has a small lake to fish and swim in. It's deep enough for lake trout (I haven't caught any, though), and has lots of coves and drop-off homes for. Be prepared to pay to get in, A Great State Park for Swimming, Kayaking and Picnicing, One of Connecticut's best state parks. Other than that, clean picnic. Bigelow Hollow State Park is public recreation area in the town of Union, Connecticut, in the Quinebaug Highlands. more, Stoggy Hollow Restaurant and General Store, Continue your visit to www.tripadvisor.com, Things to do near Bigelow Hollow State Park. The bass fishing is great at Mashapaug Lake. Boating, scuba diving, hiking, hunting, and fishing are all allowed here. To Southbridge we go for free access to west hill dam, Thus park is nice and peaceful. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. Lake bathymetry contour lines may not align well with other features on the map. Walking sticks helped in the water crossings. 190. The park has a lot of trails for the hikers and hence the time to spend depends very much on what you want to do. Latitude 42 is beautiful year round- the fall foliage over the lake is particularly amazing. Welcome Bigelow Hollow State Park & Nipmuck State Forest Union . Crawling* all over the shore and islands causing terrible erosion, lots of trees and vegetation being lost. There are three beautiful lakes to choose from, two available by car and a third that's accessible only via a hike. Bigelow Hollow tragedy: Southbridge mother of accident victim casts no blame . There's islands with picnic tables that make … The name "Bigelow" is a mystery since no person of that name seems to have been associated with this area. UNION -- A 17-year-old man from Southbridge, Massachusetts was pronounced dead Sunday evening after he was taken from the waters of a lake at Bigelow Hollow State Park Sunday afternoon. Launch: In State Park off Rte. It has incredibly clear water with lots of shallow water near the shore - ideal for kids - and deeper water for adults. This time of year, you might still have some time for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. But that would be my number one concern. The Fall Tracker said the peak colors could be seen around the CT-MA border and we felt that the Bigelow Hollow State Park fit our interests ! I would've liked at least a washing area for your hands or even hand sanitizer after every use. Try walking around the lake and you might just discover your own hidden picnic area. Bigelow Hollow State Park is a gorgeous recreation area! Bigelow Hollow State Park and the adjoining Nipmuck State Forest offer over 9,000 acres of recreation opportunities including miles of hiking trails and an 18-acre pond in Eastern Connecticut. See 45 photos and 3 tips from 297 visitors to Bigelow Hollow State Park. This state park in Connecticut is a water playground for those who love the simplicity of the good old days. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Bigelow Hollow State Park and the adjoining Nipmuck State Forest offer more than 9,000 acres of recreation opportunities including miles of hiking trails and an 18-acre pond. The park adjoins Nipmuck State Forest so most of the signage covers both. We spent several hours by Mashapaug, at a nice, $15 for an out of state vehicle for just a hike! Pack up the family, the dog, the burgers and hot dogs, the fishing poles…and your kayaks, and come to Mashapaug Lake. 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. Paved boat launches are available for those interested in fishing from a boat. Darker video is about 25 feet down, lighter video is about 15 feet down. Please watch in HD!!!! Bigelow Pond is a "no gas motors lake", so canoes & kayaks are great here. Or bring your kayak and go for a paddle!" The state park's 516 acres (209 ha) border Nipmuck State Forest on the east and west and Mashapaug Lake on the north. The Fall Tracker said the peak colors could be seen around the CT-MA border and we felt that the Bigelow. Morrow Long/Flickr. more, Things to do near Bigelow Hollow State Park. Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Is this a must-do if you are travelling with a, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, 298 Bigelow Hollow Rd, Union, CT 06076-4818. This small natural lake found within the Nipmuck State Forest and Bigelow Hollow State Park is only 297 acres with a average depth of 15 feet and just under 40 feet maximum. They are managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Clearly marked - easy to follow. Weekends & holidays: free for CT vehicles; $15/out-of-state vehicle, $5 after 4 p.m. Pricing: Weekdays: free. Bigelow Hollow State Park, Union: This jewel of our park system, way up in the northeast corner and “hidden” away in the 9,000-acre Nipmuck State Forest, has a lot to keep you occupied. It is intended for general $ informational purposes only. Bigelow Brook is a river in northeastern Connecticut, flowing from Mashapaug Lake in Union to its confluence with the Still River in Eastford.. Bigelow Brook is formed in Union, Connecticut at the outflow of Mashapaug Lake.After leaving the lake, it flows south through the Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union, and into Bigelow Pond. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. There's islands with picnic tables that make, Hotels near (PVD) Theodore Francis Airport, Bigelow Hollow State Park: Tickets & Tours‎. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Please refer to the Boating or Angler's Guide for current boating regulations. lunch or breaks along the trail. Bigelow Hollow State Park — Union, CT. We followed the Breakneak Loop trail. Very quiet. Luckily, we did not find any crowd of that type .... probably, that happens during the peak summer months, but not on a slightly chilly October afternoon. When you first go in the park the first pond that you see is Bigelow pond on the left. Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Is this a must-do if you are travelling with a, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, 298 Bigelow Hollow Rd, Union, CT 06076-4818, We were in Mystic on the second weekend of October and after finishing the Aquarium and the Sea Port at Mystic, we decided to head further up north to catch the Fall colors. This idyllic lake is well worth the effort. Marked trails lead from Bigelow Hollow to the Breakneck area, but no trail in this area is a loop trail. 29 July 2008. Bigelow Hollow State Park is home to a stunning freshwater lake and two smaller natural ponds. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. The Outbound Collective It is truly a nice place for a family outing; however, I would not rate it as a top pick for a kayaking only trip. Bigelow Hollow State Park & Nipmuck State Forest are absolutely wonderful but litter is the biggest issue they face during the warm weather months. Two cameras, about 50 feet apart of eachother. The lake itself is very picturesque and beautiful, but we were probably just a bit early to see the peak fall colors. The recreation area in Bigelow Hollow was established in 1949 by the State Park and Forest Commission. Bigelow Hollow State Park, Fine Dining at Woodstock Inn, Mansion at Bald Hill, Sharpe Hill Winery in Pomfret, Taylor Brooke Winery and Brewing Co, Woodstock &Putnam Antiquing, Golfing, Shopping, Town of Sturbridge & Sturbridge Village. For those who are kids at heart, Went and spent the afternoon here and thought it was great. "Great place for a hike! © 1996-2020 New England Mountain Bike Association. We spent a long day here as a big family group, ages 13-73. 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 space Latitude 42 is great for families. Dogs are … There's limited parking so we had to walk a bit, but that gave us the chance to enjoy the park more. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/connecticut/bigelow-hollow-loop This pond is about mile long with a … We are close to UConn, Eastern, CT and MA casinos, Bigelow Hollow State Park, and many other attractions. People have no respectt for the environment. There are three beautiful lakes to choose from, two available by car and a third that's accessible only via a hike. Several spots to stop for. Most of the locals call it Bigelow Hollow … However, don’t let it’s size fool you as it is famous for yielding Connecticut’s state record for a largemouth bass of 12-pounds and 14-ounces and the state record channel catfish weighing in at 29-pounds and 6-ounces. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. I had seen some reviews for this place which mentioned about visitors playing loud & boisterous music and making the place dirty. But with so much land to explore, this swimming hole will feel like a different place every time! MASHAPAUG LAKE Bigelow Hollow State Park Union, CT (N E Connecticut) Last visited: 8/10/14. It was a Tuesday so there was no entrance fee and it was pretty busy. I set out on a nice autumn day to do some backpacking at Bigelow Hollow State Park. Parking: 15 cars. The lake itself is very picturesque and beautiful, but we were probably just a bit early to see the peak fall colors. Please choose a different date. I arrived at Bigelow Hollow State Park at about 10:00 am, it was cloudy and cool. Bigelow Hollow Pond, Mashapaug Lake and Breakneck Pond is a 11.9 mile loop hike that takes you by a lake located near Stafford Springs, Connecticut. The views to the water are amazing, and varied depending on what you like. We visited Veterans' Day weekend. Oct 17, 2020: Bigelow Hollow State Park, Union - See 21 reviews, articles, and 40 photos of Bigelow Hollow State Park on Tripadvisor. Brian Lee Telegram & Gazette Staff @BLeeTG Friday Jan 15, 2016 at 9:20 PM Jan 16, 2016 at 10:15 PM. I have been doing litter clean up hikes around the State Forests this summer and when I visited Bigelow Hollow three weeks ago I was disappointed to find it so polluted with trash. Bigelow Hollow Pond, Mashapaug Lake and Breakneck Pond is a 11.8 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Union, Connecticut that features a lake and is rated as moderate. 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