Bigelow Hollow State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Located in the state of Connecticut, Bigelow Hollow State Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Summary
This state park spans over 9,000 acres and is home to a variety of recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping.
One of the top reasons to visit Bigelow Hollow State Park is for its scenic beauty. The park is home to several bodies of water, including Bigelow Pond and Mashapaug Pond, which offer stunning views and opportunities for water-based activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing.
Additionally, the park boasts several hiking trails, including the Nipmuck Trail, which runs through the park and offers visitors a chance to explore the surrounding forests and wildlife. Other popular activities at the park include picnicking, hunting, and snowmobiling in the winter months.
Interesting facts about Bigelow Hollow State Park include its history as a logging and farming area during the 19th and 20th centuries. The park's natural resources were eventually recognized and protected by the state of Connecticut, leading to its designation as a state park.
The best time of year to visit Bigelow Hollow State Park depends on the type of activities you are interested in. Spring and summer are great for water-based activities and hiking, while fall offers stunning foliage and hunting opportunities. Winter months are ideal for snowmobiling and other winter sports.
Overall, Bigelow Hollow State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities offered by the state of Connecticut.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Westville Lake Recreation Area
Nipmuck State Forest
Town Common
Turners Field
Cedar Pond