Annual Bigelow Hollow Summer Hike/Swim/Picnic
David Ostafin
Join us for our annual summer hike/picnic/swim in Bigelow Hollow State Park, located at 298 Bigelow Hollow Road in Union, CT, on August 15, 2026. Meet at the Bigelow Hollow Pond parking lot at 10:30 a.m. for a prompt departure at 11:00 a.m. The rain date is the following day, Sunday, August 16, 2026.
Due to the high popularity of this park on warm summer weekend days, plan to arrive early, perhaps even a bit before 10:00 a.m., to be sure to find a parking place near the trailhead.
ABOUT THE PARK: Bigelow Hollow State Park is located just South of the Massachusetts border on Bigelow Hollow Road (Route 171) in Union, Connecticut. It was established in 1949, carved out of the Nipmuck State Forest. The name “Bigelow” is derived from “Big Low,” referring to the deep hollow where the 18-acre pond is located. The word “Mashapaug” is the Nipmuck Indian word for “Great Pond,” since Mashapaug Pond is significantly larger than Bigelow Pond. The park is easily accessible from I-84, and is located in Union, the smallest town in Connecticut by population (unofficial town motto: The Smallest Town with the Biggest Heart). It is a popular spot for hiking, swimming, camping, picnicking, and boating.
PARKING: We will meet at the Bigelow Pond picnic area at the trailhead parking lot. There are four parking lots along the park roadway. This is not the first parking lot at the entrance to the park off Rt. 171. Drive past the first parking lot and past the boat launch area (where there is a small parking area) to the next parking area at the Northern tip of Bigelow Pond. Do not drive past Bigelow Pond. The paved road will end at the Mashapaugh Lake boat launch.
ABOUT THE HIKE: We will first hike around Bigelow Hollow Pond, counterclockwise, along the yellow-blazed trail. After we complete the loop around Bigelow Pond, which is about a mile and half, we will walk along the paved road to an additional short hike to Mashapaugh Pond, the favorite swimming area for all who visit the park (because Bigelow Pond is a bit murky, while Mashapaugh Pond is clearer and has beach areas). Here we will enjoy a swim (bring bathing suit and towel). Dogs are welcome everywhere in the park.
This is a relatively EASY hike, that is basically flat (some rocky areas on trail to negotiate). It is expected the hike itself, around Bigelow Hollow Pond and then to Mashapaugh Pond, will be about two hours in duration (excluding time for the picnic and swim).
DIRECTIONS: From the South, take I-84 East to Exit 73. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp onto Route 190 N (Buckley Highway). Follow Rout 190 N to a right onto Route 171 (Bigelow Hollow Road). The park is listed with the GPS address on Route 171: 298 Bigelow Hollow Road, Union, CT. Connecticut registered vehicles park for free. Those with out-of-state registered vehicles pay a fee on-line, which is $15 on summer weekends. [If there is no collection of out-of-state fee at the entrance booth, the fee is paid online at “ReserveAmerica,” or by calling 1-877-668-CAMP (2267)].
PICNIC: Instead of an after hike social at a local restaurant, the thought is to have a picnic before or after the swim. Bring your picnic lunch and non-alcoholic beverages. You can leave your picnic lunch in your vehicle during the hike around Bigelow Pond, as we will return to the parking lot prior to walking to Mashapaugh Pond.
Giovani Querido and David Ostafin
