Nipmuck State Forest and Bigelow Hollow State Park, located in the town of Union, CT, lie within one of the largest unbroken forest areas in Eastern Connecticut. Nipmuck is the second oldest state forest in Connecticut. The first parcel was acquired in 1905. Additional lands in the towns of Stafford, Ashford, Willington, and Woodstock have been added to the forest over the years.
Today, Nipmuck State Forest and Bigelow Hollow total over 9,000 acres. The recreation area in Bigelow Hollow was established in 1949 by the State Park and Forest Commission.
Bigelow Hollow State Park offers a variety of habitat including rock, water, and mixed deciduous/evergreen woodlands.
The Blue Blazed Nipmuck Trail is foot travel only. Other trails at Bigelow Hollow State Park & Nipmuck State Forest are multi-use non-motorized (with the exception of the snowmobile trail).
Marked trails lead from Bigelow Hollow to the Breakneck area, but no trail in this area is a loop trail. Hikers should be prepared to walk at least 6 miles to complete a loop around Breakneck. There are no marked trails to Briggs pond. For hikers desiring trails that start and end in the same place, the trails west of the park road both form loops and cover less of a distance than the trails leading to Breakneck.
The three remote backpack shelter/campsite locations are not accessible by motor vehicle and require hiking in, with gear. The shelters are by reservation only - to reserve visit Backpack Camping - CT State Parks and Forests. There are no toilet facilities and no drinking water at the shelters.
This extensive trail system is maintained in cooperation with the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, which provides volunteer assistance.
The name "Bigelow" is a mystery since no person of that name seems to have been associated with this area. According to older residents of Union, the name is derived from "Big Low" in reference to the deep hollow in which the 18-acre pond of that name is located. The word "Mashapaug" is the Nipmuck Indian word for "Great Pond". The present lake of 300 acres was originally about half the size. In the mid-1880's, two different parties attempted to draw the water from this natural pond. One party ditched to the north and the other to the south. The latter party was forced to give up the battle when they ran into a ledge and later joined forces with their rivals to create the present lake. Two other smaller ponds, Breakneck and Griggs, lie to the north and east of Mashapaug in Nipmuck State Forest.
This park is managed by the following CT DEEP Park Headquarters:
Park Location: Route 171, Union, CT
Bigelow Hollow State Park is located on Route 171 and can be reached via I-84. Take Exit 73 or 74, then follow Route 190 east to Route 171 east to the park entrance.
From eastbound I-84, take Exit 72. Follow Route 89 north to the intersection of Route 89 and Route 190. Go west onto Route 190. The sanctuary entrance is a short distance from the intersection and is well marked. Take Exit 73 to visit another area of Nipmuck State Forest.
There is NO parking allowed on Route 171.
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