Bigelow State Park

About Bigelow State Park

Bigelow State Park, one of the largest state parks in the United States, is located north of Fort Worth, Texas. It offers over 9,000 hectares of leisure activities, including hiking, biking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking and other outdoor activities.

The first property was purchased in 1905, and Nipmuck is the second oldest state forest in Connecticut, covering 2.2 million acres.

In 1949, the State Parks and Forestry Commission established the Bigelow Hollow recreation area, and additional land was added to the forest. Today, more than 9,000 hectares have been added and have played an important role in the development of the state forest and recreational area.

The name Bigelow is a mystery because no person or name appears to be associated with the area.

According to an elderly Union resident, the name comes from an 18-hectare pond of the same name, which lies deep in the hollow. The word Mashapaug is an Indian word for a large pond, and the lake was originally twice the size as today.

In the mid-1880s, two different parties tried to draw water from the natural pond, but one party retreated to the north and the other to the south. The latter party was forced to give up the fight when they hit a ledge and joined forces to create the lake they now have.

Although the park attracts many visitors, the lush beauty of Bigelow State Park and its natural environment provide a unique experience not only for children but also for visitors young and old. It is located on the east side of Lake Michigan, south of New York City and north of San Francisco.

A marked path leads from Bigelow Hollow to the Breakneck area, and hikers should be prepared to walk at least 6 miles to complete the round - the - breakneck. The path in this area is a circular path and connects with a marked path on the east side of the park.

The path west of the park road is less long than the path to Breakneck, so hikers should start and finish both paths at the same place. There is no marked path to Briggs Pond, but a marked path from Bigelow Hollow to the breakneck area and a path on the west side of Briggs Pond.

The extensive pathway system is maintained with the voluntary support of the Connecticut Forest Park Association. For information about participating in hikes throughout the state, contact the State Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (DNR) at (860) 662-5555.