[4], The majority of Mashapaug Lake's bottom consists of gravel and sand, with some scattered boulders, trees, and stumps. © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. The 18-acre pond has cool, clean water and can be used for swimming, fishing, boating, or scuba diving! 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… Be the first to share your experience. There are picnic benches, beaches, and a boat launch, plus miles of hiking trails. Bigelow Pond on September 8, 2005 Bigelow Hollow State Park , in Union, Connecticut is a Connecticut state park surrounded by Nipmuck State Forest , and bordering Mashapaug Lake . 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. Rate this Adventure It is a nice property in northern Connecticut - 9,000 The park is in kind of a remote area in Ct. 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. Where to meet: Bigelow Pond picnic area, I will be in a grey Subaru 11.8 miles Water flows over the Bigelow Brook dam at the southern end of Mashapaug Lake at all times of the year. Launch: In State Park off Rte. To begin the hike just simply enter the woodland path and follow the trail. The Sprague Land Preserve (also known as the Mukluk Preserve) was an incredible surprise. Whether it's hiking, fishing, or horseback riding it's a beautiful spot for anyone that can get there at sunrise and out before sunset when the gates close.Y... 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 trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. From there hit the trail and explore the unusual gap between the tall granite walls, which might be adorned with climbers. 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 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. The lake is very popular with fishermen and boaters from the area, and can also be used for swimming. Bigelow Hollow Hike – 7.5 miles, this hike is intermediate due to length and some rocky hill climbs. Just over the Massachusetts border, Nipmuck State Forest and the adjoining Bigelow Hollow State Park in Connecticut offer plenty [7], Aquatic vegetation is quite sparse in most areas of Mashapaug Lake, except in certain areas of shallow water; although recently, infrequent lowering of the lake during the wintertime has increased shoreline aquatic vegetation. Bigelow Pond view from Northeast near parking lot. In order to go under the bridge just simply take the first ... Douglas State Forest is located off of Rte 16 in south central Massachusetts. adventures and follow local regulations. These species include sunfish, yellow perch, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown trout, rainbow trout, and channel catfish. 14 oz. Mashapaug Lake is a 297-acre (1.20 km2) lake surrounded by Bigelow Hollow State Park and Nipmuck State Forest in the town of Union in northeastern Connecticut. 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… Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Bigelow Hollow State Park is home to a stunning freshwater lake and two smaller natural ponds. Bigelow Hollow also seems to have a bit of a fern problem, and the combination of these three things gave the impression of a way more ancient and remote forest than we were actually in. Hike the Coffeehouse Loop, Douglas State Forest. Two state records were set from fish caught at Mashapaug Lake. Bigelow Hollow State Park is the northeasternmost state recreational area and is tucked into the 9,000-acre Nipmuck State Forest. ), and the heaviest channel catfish ever caught in the state was caught there in 2004 (29 lbs. Be the first to leave a review! The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Bigelow Hollow State Park — Union, CT. The dam at the northern end of the lake, however, is only used to drain the lake's water level during the winter. Through a family inheritance, Rizner owns one of six private islands in Mashapaug Pond, which is part of Bigelow Hollow State Park. I arrived at Bigelow Hollow State Park at about 10:00 am, it was cloudy and cool. This is why trail running at Bigelow Hollow State Park is so great. 39 oz.).[9]. Many people hike Mashapaug Lake is fed by Wells Brook and several intermittent streams. [5], Sparse residential housing can be found along the shores of Mashapaug Lake, and also on two of the islands. Bigelow Hollow State Park Nipmuck State Forest UNION 41 5 9' . The drive to Diana's Pool is worth it in an of itself, taking you through the backroads of Eastern Connecticut. The lake has a maximum depth of 39.5 feet (12.0 meters), and an average depth of 15 feet (4.6 meters). 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. 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. Overview Bigelow Brook is a beautiful, accessible and very wild stream that flows from Mashapaug Lake, just south of the Massachusetts border, within Bigelow … The name "Bigelow" is a mystery since no person of that name seems to have been associated with this area. Bigelow Hollow ( the park ) is about 600 acres nettled around the Yale, Nipmuck, and Natchaug State Forests. Please explore responsibly! Each photo and review that you add on The Outbound earns you points towards rewards, free gear, and access to exclusive discounts. This could go past 2PM depending on the group. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your In total, there are thousands and thousands of acres to enjoy in this area even if you don’t fish. We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. West Thompson Lake Campground is located near the wooded shoreline of its namesake lake in northeastern Connecticut. One of these dams lies on the lake's northern end, at an outlet which flows into the Quinnebaug River system, while the other lies on the southern end, at the Bigelow Brook outlet. 1 ft gain Bigelow Pond Loop is a 1.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Union, Connecticut that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. Westville offers a ... Overview The heaviest largemouth bass ever caught in Connecticut was caught in Mashapaug Lake in 1961 (12 lbs. Bigelow Hollow State Park is situated 2½ miles southwest of Hatchet Pond… 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. 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. Regulations: Use of internal combustion engines prohibited. The lake has a maximum depth of 39.5 feet (12.0 meters), and an average depth of 15 feet (4.6 meters). Visitors can access the Mashapaug Lake through Bigelow Hollow State Park at its southern end. Bigelow Hollow State Park, Nipmuck State Forest, Mashapaug Lake, Breakneck Pond, Bigelow Pond Union Connecticut 05/22/20 Music: The Old RV It is intended for general $ informational purposes only. This state park in Connecticut is a water playground for those who love the simplicity of the good old days. The state park's 516 acres (209 ha) border Nipmuck State Foreston the east and west and Mashapaug Lakeon the north. The park adjoins Nipmuck State Forest so most of the signage covers both. It drains south into Bigelow Brook, but when the water level is lowered for the winter, water is pumped north into the Quinnebaug River system. [3], Mashapaug Lake is natural in origin, but the construction of two dams has raised its water level. It's up to you! Bigelow Hollow State Park on Bigelow Pond Loop Trail (Yellow). Great for all ages and dogs are welcome too. He said the three- quarter acre island is undeveloped -- … [6], Mashapaug Lake is open to the public for fishing and boating. 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. The lake is open year round and has a 10 mph speed limit on the One takes you out and around a very large pond. There are several trails through Bigelow Hollow. 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. I've heard about this area from some friends on paddling net. The highlight of the park is Mashapaug Pond … In the deep, flat areas of the lake's bottom, fine sand, silt, and organic muck can be found. People can also swim in the lake. Learn More. Westville Lake is situated on the Quinebaug River in the towns of Southbridge and Sturbridge, Massachusetts. When you first go in the park the first pond The northern and northwestern shores of the lake, however, are more densely populated than the rest of the lake. Bigelow Hollow State Park Bigelow Hollow State Park on Mashapaug Pond View Trail (Blue/White) on southern shore of Mashapaug Pond. Content updated February 2018 Bigelow Hollow State Parkis public recreation area in the townof Union, Connecticut, in the Quinebaug Highlands. Where: Bigelow Hollow State Park Distance: 6-mile loop Must see: Enjoy beautiful views of Mashapaug Lake and Bigelow Pond in one of the largest forest areas in … This is a new adventure! This 287 acre lake, Breakneck Pond, and Bigelow Hollow Pond (see separate posts-links below) are located in Bigelow State Park on Route 171 in Union CT. Where there are no houses, the lake's shoreline is heavily forested, with the Bigelow Hollow State Park surrounding the southern and southwestern areas of the 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. Ice fishing on the lake is popular during the winter months. Things flatten out a little and become more “civilised’ as you approach Mashapaug Pond, with plenty of picnic benches and grill spots. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Bigelow Hollow State Park looking north from the southern shore of Mashapaug Lake at sunset. Have you done this adventure? A short pond loop trail, great views, and plenty of different trails to explore make this a family favorite. Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mashapaug Lake, http://www.landbigfish.com/fishingspots/showcase.cfm?ID=1046, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mashapaug_Lake&oldid=956364748, Protected areas of Tolland County, Connecticut, Articles needing additional references from November 2018, All articles needing additional references, Articles using infobox body of water without alt, Articles using infobox body of water without pushpin map alt, Articles using infobox body of water without image bathymetry, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 12 May 2020, at 23:39. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! 6 " N, 72 0 '36 .59" W This map shows lake depth. The park and forest are located in a large hollow or depression approximately 700' below the surrounding ridgelines. I set out on a nice autumn day to do some backpacking at Bigelow Hollow State Park. Its normal surface elevation is 706 feet. 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 … Dogs are … The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection stocks the lake with brown and rainbow trout. Life After Death Experience (NDE) with Steve Gardipee, Vietnam War Story | One of the Best NDEs - … The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is accessible year-round.  - Loop Trail. Bigelow Hollow State Park is public recreation area in the town of Union, Connecticut, in the Quinebaug Highlands. Some plants that can be found in the shallows are yellow pond-lily (Nuphar variegata), pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata), and pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.). 11.8 miles 1 ft gain Hike Breakneck Ridge Loop A boat launch can be found at this access point. 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