Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program Connecticut Water Trails Tolland County Union Bigelow Pond
Site Location:
Basic Information: 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. When you first go in the park the first pond that you
see is Bigelow Pond on the left. This pond is about ½ mile long with a
few pretty islands. About a mile down the road is Mashapaug Lake
Water Type: Fresh Season: Site Contact Information: 166 Chestnut Hill Road Stafford Springs, Connecticut
06076 Phone: (860) 684-3430
Longitude 72.127914 ºW Latitude 41.995368 ºN
Location Map:
USGS Quadrangle: Westford
Driving Directions:
Boat Launch Information:
Site Description: Environment: Additional Info:
USGS Quadrangle: Westford Type Of Water : Lake
Paddle Length:
USGS Real Time Water Data / Gauge:
Portage: None Put In:
Longitude 72°
7'37.97"W Latitude Take Out:
On The Water: This pond is about ½ mile long
with a few pretty islands. Nice boat ramp and picnicking area. No houses
just beautifully treed shores. The water
is
crystal clear, nice place to paddle.
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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