Bigelow Hollow State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 8 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- $15 ($10 nonresident)Annual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- ctparks.com(860) 684-3430
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Bigelow Hollow State Park is a park in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region County, about 7 miles southwest of Southbridge Town.
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, hunting in season, boating, fishing, and hiking.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – sunset | — |
Official wording
Open Daily (8:00 a.m. – Sunset)
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| FREE In-State Registered Vehicles (resident) | Free |
| $15 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekends/Holidays) - collected at the park (nonresident) | $15 |
| $10 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekdays) (nonresident) | $10 |
| $112 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Season Pass) (nonresident) | $112 · year |
Official wording
FREE In-State Registered Vehicles $15 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekends/Holidays) - collected at the park $10 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekdays) $112 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Season Pass)
Connecticut park passes
- Passport to the Parks — free parking for CT-registered vehicles (funded by an $8/yr vehicle registration fee from July 1, 2025). Day-use parking at all CT State Parks and Forests Details
- Out-of-state vehicle season pass — $112. Season parking for out-of-state vehicles (as listed on park fee boxes) Details
From the Connecticut state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (connecticutstateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-668-CAMP (2267)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Things to do
BoatingFishingHikingHuntingPicnickingSnorkeling and scuba
Trails
If you’re new to Bigelow Hollow and plan on hiking, you should be aware that marked trails in the area of Bigelow Pond heading east to the Breakneck area are not loop trails. Hikers should be prepared to walk a minimum of six miles to complete a loop around Breakneck Pond. For hikers desiring trails that start and end in the same place, the trails west of the park road both form loops and cover less distance when compared to the trails leading to Breakneck Pond.
Be aware that hunting is available in the park and forest during the regulated hunting seasons. Be sure to wear high visibility clothes and stay on designated trails.
- Letterboxing Clues
Boating and paddling
Boat Launches
- Bigelow Pond
- Mashapaug Lake
Know Before You Go
- Wear your life jacket (PFD)! There must be a wearable coastguard approved life jacket for each person in the proper size and in good condition.
- Do not leave boats unattended.
- Additional boating information can be found within the Connecticut Boaters Guide.
Fishing
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Before heading out, be sure to check the latest water conditions and fishing regulations.
Bigelow Pond, Union (25 acres)
- Parking: Bigelow Hollow State Park
- Use of internal combustion engines prohibited.
- Fish Species: Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow, Tiger), Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Sunfish (Bluegill, Pumpkinseed)
Mashapaug Lake, Union (297 acres)
- 10 MPH speed limit & No Waterskiing
- Fish Species: Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow, Tiger), Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish (Bluegill, Pumpkinseed), Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch
- Fishing Regulations & Rules — Bass Management Lake: Largemouth and smallmouth bass: 12” to 16” protective slot. Daily creel limit 6 bass, only 2 may be 16” or greater).
Breakneck Pond, Union/Massachusetts (97 acres)
- Motor vehicle access prohibited. Walk-in access approximately 1.2 miles from the North end of Bigelow Pond. Use of internal combustion engines prohibited.
- Fish Species: Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass, Calico Bass, Yellow Perch, Sunfish (Bluegill, Pumpkinseed)
- Fishing Regulations & Rules — Boundary Water: CT or MA fishing license legal on entire pond.
More Fishing Resources
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Parking
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 298 Bigelow Hollow Rd.
Union, CT 06076 - Nearest town
- Southbridge Town — about 7 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 42.0003, -72.1313
- Phone
- (860) 684-3430
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Connecticut State Parks and Forests — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- DEEP 'Find a Park or Forest by Name' list (portal.ct.gov) merged with the ctparks.com ParkFinder search service
- Wikidata
- Photo: Bigelow pond 9.6.2005.jpg — Public domain (released by the author), Jesse Goodier
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology