Bigelow Hollow State Park

Bigelow Hollow State Park is a protected area in Union featuring three lakes surrounded by dense forest in eastern Connecticut. The park covers about 516 acres with Bigelow Pond, Breakneck Pond, and Mashapaug Lake set within a continuous woodland landscape.

The area became a state park in 1949, connecting with nearby Nipmuck State Forest to create one of Connecticut's largest protected forest areas. This arrangement preserved a vast connected woodland that remains intact today.

The name Mashapaug comes from the Nipmuck people who once inhabited this region. It means Great Pond and reflects the Native American heritage connected to this land.

The park offers activities throughout the year including hiking, fishing, and boating without motors on the lakes. Depending on the season, visitors can also enjoy scuba diving or cross-country skiing on designated trails.

Mashapaug Lake holds Connecticut state records for fish species, including a 29-pound channel catfish caught in 2004. The lake attracts anglers hoping to catch trophy-sized fish.

Location: Connecticut

Inception: 1949

Elevation above the sea: 226 m

Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bigelow-Hollow-State-Park-Nipmuck-State-Forest

GPS coordinates: 42.00444,-72.12972

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49