The calm water and gentle sandy slope are especially fun for younger … Spread over 516 acres, this park has become a popular getaway amongst locals. Want more freshwater action? … This densely wooded area is a part of the largest unbroken forest tracts in the state. The park adjoins Nipmuck State Forest so most of the signage covers both. Some flat, some rock scrambles, a few streams to cross on logs or rocks. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Swimming Holes. Bigelow Hollow State Park is located away from the city in Union, Connecticut. The park and forest are located in a large hollow or depression approximately 700' below the surrounding ridgelines. Nice boat ramp and picnicking area. Other than that, clean picnic. So feel free to sit at the end of the small dock and dip your feet, or bring your underwater camera and snap some awesome fish photos. Lucky for you, that place already exists! So feel free to sit at the end of the small dock and dip your feet, or bring your underwater camera and snap some awesome fish photos. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! Or maybe you've been looking for a quiet place to write. Several spots to stop for. The ponds at Bigelow Hollow State Park are not designated state park swim areas and do not have lifeguards at that location. We followed the Breakneak Loop trail. Just keep Fido leashed at all times. Bigelow Hollow State Park: Hiking in the Fall - See 21 traveler reviews, 40 candid photos, and great deals for Union, CT, at Tripadvisor. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. Follow her at taylorellisblogger.com. Visit Website Or call (860) 684-3430 for more information. Motors of any size are allowed, but there's a 10 MPH speed limit. Bigelow Hollow State Park, along with Nipmuck State Forest and Yale Forest, covers 9,600 acres in northern CT. A triumvirate of ponds, Bigelow, Mashapaug and Breakneck, with fishing, swimming, and boating are big draws for park visitors. Check out this drone footage for a look at the majestic still waters and lush forestry for yourself! The man was swimming with friends and family, and several people saw him go under water, but could not locate him. STAY AWAY, I didn't mind the area in which we visited and I understand based on the location there is no running water. It's deep enough for lake trout (I haven't caught any, though), and has lots of coves and drop-off homes for. There are three beautiful lakes to choose from, two available by car and a third that's accessible only via a hike. Bigelow Hollow State Park: Beautiful place to hike! Bigelow Hollow State Park: Great place for a hike - See 21 traveler reviews, 40 candid photos, and great deals for Union, CT, at Tripadvisor. 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Mashpaug is extensive, but there are also two smaller ponds, Breakneck and Griggs, to the north and east, respectively. I arrived at Bigelow Hollow State Park at about 10:00 am, it was cloudy and cool. 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. Nipmuck State Forest and Bigelow Hollow State Park in the town of Union lie within one of the largest unbroken forest areas in Eastern Connecticut. This state park in Connecticut is a water playground for those who love the simplicity of the good old days. Crawling* all over the shore and islands causing terrible erosion, lots of trees and vegetation being lost. The Fall Tracker said the peak colors could be seen around the CT-MA border and we felt that the Bigelow. But with so much land to explore, this swimming hole will feel like a different place every time! Bigelow Hollow State Park. On Memorial Day, tragedy struck as a 23 year old man drowned in Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union, CT, which borders Mashapaug Lake. Thank you! While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. Bigelow Hollow State Park: Great hikes! 171 in Union, you'll love exploring the more than nine thousand acres of Nipmuck State Forest! 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. Try walking around the lake and you might just discover your own hidden picnic area. Bigelow Hollow State Park. Hotels near (PVD) Theodore Francis Airport, Bigelow Hollow State Park: Tickets & Tours‎. One takes you out and around a very large pond. It was about 8 miles round trip. Of course there's plenty of pond to go around anyway. It has incredibly clear water with lots of shallow water near the shore - ideal for kids - and deeper water for adults. There are aren’t lifeguards on duty and the water quality isn’t tested though in years worth of visits I’ve never encountered any water quality problems. Posted on October 30, 2017 by Chris. Experienced hikers will love exploring these evergreen landscapes. Love Connecticut? One of Connecticut's state parks that has some of the most beautiful views. There's a boat launch and large picnic area, but the nearest parking lot fills quickly, so be prepared to walk a bit. It's up to you! You should also consider bringing your mountain bike or hiking… She is a social boss who has worked with several major sites and brands. The 18-acre pond has cool, clean water and can be used for swimming, fishing, boating, or scuba diving! Welcome Bigelow Hollow State Park & Nipmuck State Forest Union . There are hiking trails that will take you in the thick woods. Pack a picnic and spend the day at Bigelow Hollow State Park. Address: 1242 CT-171, Union, CT 06076. It’s an ideal place to go on a hot summer day with your swimming gear on and the supplies for a … Continue reading Introducing Bigelow Hollow State Park → The first parcel was acquired in 1905. Walking sticks helped in the water crossings. It took me around 1.5 hours to paddle the entire pond around its outside. Try one of our natural swimming holes that is a less costly swimming option. Bigelow Hollow State Park & Nipmuck State Forest are absolutely wonderful but litter is the biggest issue they face during the warm weather months. The lake itself is very picturesque and beautiful, but we were probably just a bit early to see the peak fall colors. People have no respectt for the environment. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Very quiet. If swimming in a nature-made body of water as you look up at the big blue sky sounds like paradise, then this swimming hole is your new oasis! Bigelow Hollow State Park is a lovely spot in Union, CT just over the line from Massachusetts. It’s hard to believe this place is at your disposal. 7. There are miles of hiking trails, which is perfect for working up a sweat before diving in! I've heard about this area from some friends on paddling net. One of the largest unbroken forest areas in Eastern Connecticut, you can bet you'll find plenty of beautiful natural areas to explore. Explore the most popular dogs on leash trails in Bigelow Hollow State Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. I would've liked at least a washing area for your hands or even hand sanitizer after every use. Nipmuck is the second oldest state forest in Connecticut. You’ll need to find a place with stunning water views, few crowds and a whole lot of nature. Bigelow Hollow Park is located on Route 171 and can be reached via I-84. Bigelow Po… Hole In The Wall Beach, Niantic. Check out this list of Awesome Swimming Holes for more ways to cool off and relax in Connecticut. This picture was taken off one of the small islands (not privately owned) located in the middle of Mashapaug Lake > 1 year ago. Beautiful Swimming and Fishing Spot - Visited Many Times, This is one of the the largest lakes in CT. Passed 6 others along the trail. Clearly marked - easy to follow. Take Exit 73 or 74, then follow Route 190 east to Route 171 east to the park entrance. Mashapaug Lake is bigger and holds the record for the largest bass caught in the state. 3. I had seen some reviews for this place which mentioned about visitors playing loud & boisterous music and making the place dirty. Bigelow Hollow State Park and the adjoining Nipmuck State Forest offer over 9,000 acres of recreation opportunities including miles of hiking trails, the 18 acre Bigelow Pond, and 300 acre Mashapaug Pond in Eastern Connecticut. Sitting here and looking out over the pond is sure to draw inspiration! Google Images/Ian Mann. Union, Connecticut. Great variety on the trail. Bigelow Hollow State Park: Perfect for a family day in nature - See 21 traveler reviews, 40 candid photos, and great deals for Union, CT, at Tripadvisor. Bigelow Pond is a "no gas motors lake", so canoes & kayaks are great here. Beautiful Swimming and Fishing Spot - Visited Many Times This is one of the the largest lakes in CT. Bigelow Hollow State Park is home to a stunning freshwater lake and two smaller natural ponds. › Bigelow Hollow State Park › Dogs On Leash #15 of 119 state parks in Connecticut Best dogs leash trails in Bigelow Hollow State Park, Connecticut. Additional lands in the towns of Stafford, Ashford, Willington, and Woodstock have been added to the forest over the years. more, Stoggy Hollow Restaurant and General Store, Things to do near Bigelow Hollow State Park. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: Located on Rte. Mashapaug Pond @ Bigelow Hollow State Park I went to Mashapaug Pond today because I was told it was a wonderful place to paddle and to hike, bike, swim, etc. 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 The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. Divers were able to find him, but he was pronounced dead later that day. There are several trails through Bigelow Hollow. This pond is about mile long with a few pretty islands. But that would be my number one concern. area and a beautiful sight of the water and view ahead. There's islands with picnic tables that make great destinations for lunch. It's deep enough for lake trout (I haven't caught any, though), and has lots of … Lots of drinkng and trash. Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Is this a must-do if you are traveling 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. It has incredibly clear water with lots of shallow water near the shore - ideal for kids - and deeper water for adults. Pricing: Weekdays: free. Saved from img-aws.ehowcdn.com. Want a swimming hole that truly makes memories? The secluded cove at Hole In The Wall Beach is ideal for families. 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. This idyllic lake is well worth the effort. It's up to you! The views are beautiful around the pond. Get more stories delivered right to your email. The state park's 516 acres (209 ha) border Nipmuck State Forest on the east and west and Mashapaug Lake on the north. Bigelow Hollow State Park (Union) Pack some drinks and light fare for a Saturday afternoon the whole family will love! Swimming: Bigelow Hollow State Park is probably most popular for its swimming area. 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. good-sized bass (good eating). The 18-acre pond has cool, clean water and can be used for swimming, fishing, boating, or scuba diving! Bigelow Hollow State Park is public recreation area in the town of Union, Connecticut, in the Quinebaug Highlands. 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. - See 21 traveler reviews, 40 candid photos, and great deals for Union, CT, at Tripadvisor. Bigelow Hollow State Park: Beautiful..Crystal clear swimming destination - See 21 traveler reviews, 40 candid photos, and great deals for Union, CT, at Tripadvisor. Enjoy swimming, kayaking, and even snorkeling at this clear freshwater lake. lunch or breaks along the trail. So skip the public pools and opt for this all natural experience instead. Reviews . So get out and enjoy it! A Great State Park for Swimming, Kayaking and Picnicing One of Connecticut's best state parks. You can enjoy a picnic with the family, hike through one of the many trails or swim, fish, or kayak in the serene waters. With the waterfront picnic tables, this can be an all day trip if you plan ahead. The park is in kind of a remote area in Ct. We visited Veterans' Day weekend. map . Learn more here. When you first go in the park the first pond that you see is Bigelow pond on the left. Hollow State Park fit our interests ! I set out on a nice autumn day to do some backpacking at Bigelow Hollow State Park. Taylor Ellis grew up in southern Connecticut. In the spring there are vernal pools with hundreds of tadpoles, the fishing can be good but it's a mile or so walk in to Breakneck pond. Returning to the car at sunset will let you capture some pretty gorgeous views as the hills become silhouetted against the sky. No one has reviewed Bigelow Hollow State Park on BringFido… 19. I just finished creating a page for one of my favorite swimming spots in Southern New England. 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