Bigelow Hollow Summer Hike/Swim/Picnic, Union, CT

[David Ostafin]

Join us for our annual summer hike/swim/picnic in Bigelow Hollow State Park, located at 298 Bigelow Hollow Road in Union, CT on Saturday, August 16, 2025.  Meet at the Bigelow 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 17, 2025.  

Due to the high popularity of the park on warm summer weekend days, plan to arrive earlier, if possible, perhaps even a bit before 10:00 a.m., to be sure to find a parking space near the trailhead.

ABOUT THE PARK:  Bigelow Hollow State Park is located South of the Massachusetts border on Bigelow Hollow Road (Route 171) in Union, CT.  The name "Bigelow" is derived from "Big Low," referring to the deep hollow where the 18-acre pond is located.  The other pond's name "Mashapaug" is the Nipmuck word for "Great Pond," since the Mashapaug Pond is significantly larger than Bigelow Pond.  The park, carved out of the Nipmuck State Forest, is easily accessible from I-84, and is contained in the Town of Union, the smallest Connecticut town by population (unofficial town motto:  "The smallest town with the biggest heart.")  The park is a popular spot for hiking, camping, swimming, picnicking, and boating.

MEET UP PLACE:  We will meet at the Bigelow Pond picnic area at the trailhead parking lot.  This is not the first parking lot at the entrance to the park off Route 171.  Drive past the first parking area, 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.  The paved road will end at the Mashapaug Pond boat launch.

ABOUT THE HIKE:  This is a relatively EASY hike, that is mostly flat.  We will first hike around Bigelow Pond, counterclockwise, along the yellow-blazed trail.  The trail includes a walk onto a peninsula into the pond, where we will have our snack/water break and take one of our group pictures.  After we complete this loop around Bigelow Pond, which is about a mile and half, we will walk along the paved road to an additional short hike to Mashapaug Pond, the favorite swimming spot in the park (a pond with clear water, while Bigelow Pond is a bit murky).  Here we will enjoy a swim (bring swimwear and towel!) and have our picnic.  It is expected that the entire hike will last about two hours, excluding whatever time we spend swimming and picnicking.

NOTES:  As always, read our DISCLAIMER (our group disclaims liability; each participant is responsible for him/herself), dress appropriately for the season, have bug spray, and bring ample water for adequate hydration.  Bathroom facilities are available in the parking area. Dogs are welcome everywhere, but are supposed to be leashed in state parks.  Connecticut-registered vehicles park for FREE.  Out-of-state vehicles are required to pay a fee, which is $15 on weekends [If there is no collection of the out-of-state vehicle fee at the entrance booth, the out-of-state fee is paid online at "ReserveAmerica," or by calling 1-877-668-CAMP (2267) from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday.]

DIRECTIONS:  From points South, take I-84 to Exit 73.  Turn right at the end of the exit ramp onto Route 190 N (Buckley Highway).  Follow Route 190 N to a right onto Route 171 (Bigelow Hollow Road).  Look for the park sign on the left.  The park itself is listed with a GPS address on Route 171:  298 Bigelow Hollow Road, Union, CT (approximate).  

PICNIC:  Instead of our usual after-hike social at a local restaurant, the plan is to have a picnic when we arrive at Mashapaug Pond for our swim.  Bring your picnic lunch and non-alcoholic beverages.  You can leave your lunch in your vehicle during our hike around Bigelow Pond, as we will be doing a loop and will return to the parking lot before walking to Mashapaug Pond for our picnic/swim.  

David Ostafin & Giovani Querido

CT Pride Hikers

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