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State Park Location Maps:
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Nearby Parks:
Bigelow Hollow State Park
Bigelow State Park
Natchaug State Forest
Brimfield State Forest
Nye-Holman State Forest
Wells State Park
West Brookfield State Forest
Shenipsit State Forest
Mashamoquet Brook State Forest
Spencer State Forest
Nathan Hale State Forest
Bolton Notch State Park
Old Furnace State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
 | 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. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
| Be the 1st to Review Nipmuck State Forest. You can rate it, post a comment on it, or do both. |
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| Trails: |
| 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. This extensive trail system is maintained in cooperation with the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, which provides volunteer assistance. For information on volunteering for trail activities throughout the state contact the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, 16 Meriden Road, Rockfall, CT 06481; Telephone: (860) 346-2372. |
| History of the Area: |
| 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. 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.
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.
The contrast of rock, water, and mixed deciduous/evergreen woodland provide ample beauty to the many visitors this park receives. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| B&Bs / Inns | | The Tolland Inn - 1790s inn on historic village green. Close to University of Connecticut. Seven guest rooms/suites with private baths, full breakfast. Antiques and hand-made furniture throughout. | | |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Nipmuck State Forest/Bigelow Hollow State Park Information - Nipmuck State Forest and the adjoining Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union, Connecticut offer over 9,000 acres of recreation ... Nipmuck State Forest and the adjoining Bigelow Hollow State ... | | Bigelow Hollow State Park/Nipmuck State Forest Information - Bigelow Hollow State Park and the adjoining Nipmuck State Forest in Union, Connecticut offer over 9,000 acres of recreation opportunities including miles of hiking trails, and an 18-acre pond. | | Photography Travel Location: Mountain Laurel Sanctuary, Connecticut - ... f/2.8. More Flower Photos. Directions: Part of Nipmuck State Forest in Northeast Connecticut. Just south of the junction of ... road) and wanders further into Nipmuck State Forest, but photo ... | | Welcome to Beaver Pines Campground - Provide Natural Family Camping in a true New England Woodland Setting. In beautiful Northestern ... large beautiful campsites surrounded by Nipmuck State Forest. We offer daily, weekly and seasonal ... | | Come Visit Us - ... motorized water craft and take a swim. Beaver Pines Campground borders the 7,500 Acre Nipmuck State Forest, offering over 25 miles of trails for strolling, hiking and mountain biking. Keep in mind ... | | Open Space - ... space land does not necessarily mean open to the public. Nipmuck State Forest, Roseland Park and town owned land are publicly ... Committed Acreage S1 Nipmuck State Forest Corbin Road 364.00 ... | | Forestry - ... hazel astringent. The State of Connecticut has extensive holdings of forestland in northwestern Woodstock (Nipmuck State Forest). Part of Yale Myers Forest is located in the middle of the western ... | | PORTLAND RIVERSIDE MARINA USED BOATS Connecticut Marinas boat sales slips dry winter stora - PORTLAND CONNECTICUT MARINA with ct used boats, slips, conn winter storage, boat brokerage with ... Bigelow Hollow State Park and the adjoining Nipmuck State Forest offer over 9,000 acres of ... | | State of Connecticut: PHOTO GALLERIES - ConneCT is the official website for the State of Connecticut and the ConneCT Photo Gallery provides ... 85) Wooduck House along Morey Pond Nipmuck State Forest the Nipmuck State Forest Union Spring ... |
| Directions: |
| Bigelow Hollow State ParkI-84 to Exit 73 or 74, then follow Route 190 north to Route 171 east to the park entrance.
Nipmuck State Forest Mountain Laurel SanctuaryEastbound on 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 well marked. Take Exit 73 to visit another area of Nipmuck State Forest. |
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