DEEP is continuing to carry out its mission and provide services while keeping both the public and our workforce safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Connecticut’s State Forests Officially, These are lands managed on a multiple-use basis for silviculture and harvesting of forest products, protection of watershed quality enhancing fisheries, wildlife habitat including game species harvesting, and natural resource protection. Renowned for its beauty, rolling hills and abundance of trees and water, one secret to Union's tranquility is that one-third of the town's area is set aside as state park and forestland: Bigelow Hollow State Park, the Mountain Laurel Sanctuary and Nipmuck State Forest. Cockaponset State Forest, Chester ... Bigelow Hollow SPark / Nipmuck SForest, Union. Eastbound on I-84: take Exit 72. Mountain Laurel Sanctuary in Nipmuck State Forest Near intersection of routes 89 and 190 Union, CT Phone: 860-424-3200 Leisurely walking trails wind through the mountain laurel, Connecticut's official state flower. The first table lists state parks and reserves, the second lists state park trails, the third list state forests, and the fourth lists other state-owned, recreation-related areas. I was through here most recently in June 2020 when completing my thru hike of the Nipmuck Trail though I’m fairly certain Steve from CTMQ and I left a note when we hiked this section in 2017. So here… here’s what it looks like at peak from the state’s tourism site: Here’s the weird thing: There aren’t really any trails here. All combined, there are nearly 34,000 acres of forestland in Union. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. This area is just off of Rt. Its 9,000 acres (3,600 ha) surround Bigelow Hollow State Park in the town of Union and include parcels in Stafford, Ashford, and other towns. Take Exit 73 to … Connecticut News A SANCTUARY FOR THE SENSES The sanctuary entrance is a short distance from the intersection and well marked. Of course there is also the Laurel Sanctuary located in the Nipmuck State Forest in Union, Connecticut. Spoons and other small utensils used to be carved out of the wood of mountain laurel so the name spoonwood can be used when referring to this shrub.”. You’ve all seen it a million times. Viewing is best in June and July, when the laurel are in bloom. We do… but we merely drove through it then to attain the all-important highest point in Windham County on Snow Hill. We found the blossoms peaking in heavy clusters of white or pink flowers. Destroying the myth that there is nothing to do here, Peak Failage Nipmuck State Forest Mountain Laurel Sanctuary Near intersection of routes 89 and 190 Union, CT Phone: 860-424-3200. Mountain Laurel Sanctuary, Nipmuck State Forest, Union Mountain laurel that towers alongside 1,000 feet of road in the Nipmuck State Forest in Union -- designated by the state as a mountain laurel sanctuary -- has benefited from the … So I revisited in mid-July and… it was as bloomy as it was in late December. Hotels near Nipmuck State Forest; Hotels near Stafford Library; Hotels near Stafford Motor Speedway; Near Airports. The recreation area in Bigelow Hollow was established in 1949 by the State Park and Forest Commission. A portion of the Yale-Myers Forest and Hull Foresters are located in Union. Mountain laurel is a shrub that reaches 20 feet in height. ... Upper Paugussett State Forest, Newtown. The first parcel was acquired in 1905. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Dogs are … The campers also helped local towns with clean-up after the flood of 1936 and the hurricane of 1938. I’ll trust that the laurel “extends deep into the forest.” I had Damian in the car with me and the deer flies were swarming as I poked around quickly. This is mountain laurel time in Southern New England and you’d be hard pressed to find a better spot than along the narrow dirt road that cuts through Connecticut’s Mountain Laurel Sanctuary in Nipmuck State Forest. Nipmuck State Forest and the adjoining Bigelow Hollow State Park offer more than 9,000 acres of recreation opportunities including hiking trails, an 18-acre pond for boating and fishing, cross country skiing, hunting, picnicking, scuba diving, and snowmobiling. Go west onto Route 190. A portion of the Yale-Myers Forest and Hull Foresters are located in Union. The sanctuary entrance is a short distance from the intersection and well marked. Union has the highest elevation in the state east of the Connecticut River. Go west onto Route 190. Follow Route 89 north to the intersection of Route 89 and Route 190. 85: Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust, Nature Preserve: 11. Hm. The mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is Connecticut’s official state flower. I think it’s pretty cool that they “cared” in some small way to retain pretty things back then. Click here for the latest updates on DEEP's response to COVID-19. Go west onto Route 190. From what I gathered, the laurel is pretty much along the road and doesn’t really penetrate the woods to any crazy degree. Apr 13, 2016 - 'Olympic Fire' will set your garden ablaze with dark red buds eruptining into beautiful pink flowers making a sensational color contrast against the dark, evergreen foliage. The beautiful mountain laurel sanctuary in Nipmuck State Forest in Union was a corps project. The laurels in the area flourished after inmates from Somers prison were paid 25 cents a day in the 1950s to clear grape vines and trees to showcase the bushes. Nipmuck State Forest Mountain Laurel Sanctuary Eastbound on I-84: take Exit 72. The forest is part of a larger network of forest lands making up some 40,000 acres (16,000 ha) in … Besides, I honestly think this place was prettier in the snow. Nipmuck is the second oldest state forest in Connecticut. It is also the Connecticut state flower. Not to mention the Yale School of Forestry. 190 east of Stafford. Well. While the sanctuary is in Union, Snow Hill’s summit is mere feet across the border in Ashford. Content last updated October 2019. Case Mountain State Park, Manchester. It seems that JavaScript is not working in your browser. Leisurely walking trails wind through the mountain laurel, Connecticut's official state flower. West Hartford Reservoir, Farmington. July 2018. 86: Snipsic Lake Road, Ellington The forest is part of a larger network of forest lands making up some 40,000 acres (16,000 ha) in all. After all, it IS Snow Hill on Snow Hill Road. Located on Snow Hill Road off Route 190 in Union, the entrance to the park, which is part of Nipmuck Forest, is well marked. Last Visited: Sunday; July 1, 2012 What to do here: Bigelow Hollow State Park is part of Nipmuck State Forest in Northeastern Connecticut. The sanctuary entrance is a short distance from the intersection and is well marked. Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown. With more than 40,000 acres of parkland, and under 1,000 residents, it boasts a playground for the hunting, boating, fishing, and hiking enthusiast in Bigelow Hollow State Park, Nipmuck State Forest, and the Mountain Laurel Sanctuary. Hotels near (BDL) Bradley Intl Airport; Hotels near (ORH) Worcester Airport; All things to do in Stafford; Things to do near Nipmuck State Forest. Approximately one-third of the town is state park land, including Bigelow Hollow State Park, Nipmuck State Forest and the Mountain Laurel Sanctuary. I’m sure this place is beautiful in June. I forgot. Take Exit 73 … Eastbound on I-84: take Exit 72. Bigelow Hollow State Park & Nipmuck State Forest Parks Directory of the United States / State Parks / Connecticut Location:Park is 2 miles east of Union on Route 197. Filed Under: Biology & Geology, Everything Else, New Post, State Parks & Forests Tagged With: nipmuck state forest, Tolland County, Union, Your email address will not be published. Reaching Connecticut’s second oldest state forest, located within its least populous town, can be a bit of a (gorgeous) trek. I apologize for not having any dazzling “mountain laurel in bloom” pictures for you, but it’s our state flower! There’s Snow Hill Road which is the gravel/dirt road that traverses the 3/4 mile or so of the sanctuary. Bluff Point State Park, Groton. Monson road is also quite nice, several houses were built in the mountain laurel forest along that road. Nipmuck State Forest and the adjoining Bigelow Hollow State Park offer over 9,000 acres of recreation opportunities including miles of hiking trails, and an 18-acre pond in Eastern Connecticut. Mashapaug Lake is a large lake in Union. Required fields are marked *. If you want to enjoy and explore nature, this is where you go. Nipmuck State Forest is a Connecticut state forest. This week, try to get out and check out our beautiful mountain laurel. Take Exit 73 to visit another area of Nipmuck State Forest. Here you can take a mile-long hike amidst the laurel, first planted in 1935 by the federal Civilian Conservation Corps. A Flower-filled Sanctuary. Additional lands in the towns of Stafford, Ashford, Willington, and Woodstock have been added to the forest over the years. In 2014, The Courant’s Peter Marteka wrote: According to an informational kiosk in the sanctuary, the mountain laurel’s name “came from the settlers who noticed a resemblance to an unrelated laurel plant that is found in Europe. Bigelow Hollow State Park Connecticut Waterfalls To Photograph This Winter - Whereaboutss. Take Exit 73 to visit another area of Nipmuck State Forest. BUT! © The name … Union is the least-populated town in Connecticut and contains the point of highest elevation in the eastern-half of the state. The Laurel Sanctuary, a tiny section of the Nipmuck State Forest and a little-known gem among state recreational lands, is in bloom. This property was acquired and/or developed with the assistance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Follow Route 89 north to the intersection of Route 89 and Route 190. I recommend walking through and watching the wind swaying the blossom-laden branches. Take a close look at the bowl-shaped blossoms that grow in bunches resembling white and pink exploding fireworks. The sanctuary road, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, runs for about a mile and is bordered by laurels that extend deep into the surrounding forest. Who visits a Mountain Laurel Sanctuary in the dead of winter? This is a list of state parks and reserves in the Connecticut state park system, shown in four tables. State Parks, Forests, Reserves, Preserves, & WMAs, Best, Historic, & Unique Restaurants & Foods, Firsts, Onlies, Oldests, Largests, Longests, Mosts, Smallests, & Bests, Houses, Communities, Libraries, & Businesses, Towers, Bridges, Tunnels, Roads, Canals, Dams, Airports, & Ferries. Explore camper reviews and photos of the campgrounds in Nipmuck State Forest. Its 9,000 acres (3,600 ha) surround Bigelow Hollow State Park in the town of Union and include parcels in Stafford, Ashford, and other towns. And you should go there. It’s right off of I-84 at the Ashford/Union line. to attain the all-important highest point in Windham County on Snow Hill. There are better stands of our state flower (mountain laurel, duh) in the northwest hills. 2016 CT.gov | Connecticut's Official State Website, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Nipmuck State Forest & Bigelow Hollow State Park. Mountain Laurel Sanctuary in Nipmuck State Forest. Eastbound on I-84: take Exit 72. Go west onto Route 190. On New Years Eve Day in 2016, I visited this place with my son Calvin. And if there’s anything I know about people, it’s that they love finding single-track dirt roads at the Ashford/Union line. Visitors to the sanctuary can drive through the preserve or park anywhere along the road and walk. One-third of the town is set aside as park and forest land and includes: Bigelow Hollow State Park, Mountain Laurel Sanctuary, Nipmuck State Forest, and Yale-Myers Forest (managed by Yale’s School of Forestry). Last-minute getaway? This place was begun as a beautification project of the Civilian Conservation Corps from Camp Conner in 1935. For generations these plants have been pruned and … Viewing is best in June and July, when the laurel are in bloom. Today Nipmuck State Forest and Bigelow Hollow total over 9,000 acres. COVID-19 Information: Connecticut residents are urged to continue taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Follow Route 89 north to the intersection of Route 89 and Route 190. The sanctuary entrance is a short distance from the intersection and well marked. Your email address will not be published. All combined, there are nearly 34,000 acres of forestland in Union. Facilities:Picnic tables (é), hiking trails, boat launch ramp, pit toilets. Among projects undertaken by the young men from Camp Connor were construction of the road that runs to the top of Soapstone Mountain and creation of the unique Mountain Laurel Sanctuary in Nipmuck State Forest. Other Amenities: Boating, Cross Country Skiing, Fishing, Hunting, Scuba Diving, Snowmobiling, Hiking Trails. The laurels in the area flourished after inmates from Somers prison were paid 25 cents a day in the 1950s to clear grape vines and trees to showcase the bushes. Get the facts at ct.gov/coronavirus. I-84 to Exit 73 or 74, then follow Route 190 north to Route 171 east to the park entrance. Approximately one-third of the town is state park land, including Bigelow Hollow State Park, Nipmuck State Forest and the Mountain Laurel Sanctuary. Follow Route 89 north to the intersection of Route 89 and Route 190. Apparently there used to be many more laurels here, as only a portion remains today. Some of the features on CT.gov will not function properly with out javascript enabled. The sanctuary road, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, runs for about a mile and is bordered by laurels that extend deep into the surrounding forest. Marty Podskoch, who spoke recently at the Mansfield Historical Society, collects corps alumni stories. Camping near Nipmuck State Forest is easy with Hipcamp, where private landowners offer one-of-a-kind camping experiences. Bradley Park, Wilton. And though they can be found all over the state, the best place to see the delicate pastel blossoms up close and in great numbers is the Nipmuck State Forest in Union. Nipmuck Trail: Breakneck Pond to Perry Hill Road is a 16.7 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Stafford Springs, Connecticut that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Bigelow Hollow State Park, the Mountain Laurel Sanctuary and Nipmuck State Forest all call Union home. It could be because it is not supported, or that JavaScript is intentionally disabled. The laurel was not in bloom then, so I wrote things like how I’d be sure to visit in mid-June someday. Nipmuck State Forest Mountain Laurel Sanctuary. Mountain Laurel Sanctuary Connecticut’s Official State Flower gets its proper due in the Mountain Laurel Sanctuary within Nipmuck State Forest in Union. DEEP COVID-19 Response. Nipmuck State Forest is a Connecticut state forest. Another section of the Natchaug State Forest trailed entirely by the Nipmuck Trail.From the trail kiosk along Perry Hill Rd the trail heads uphill passing a long standing log book attached to a tree. Important stuff. Spark / Nipmuck SForest, Union or that JavaScript is intentionally disabled a portion of the features on CT.gov not! Making up some 40,000 acres ( 16,000 ha ) in the towns of Stafford, Ashford,,! System, shown in four tables clusters of white or pink flowers Ashford/Union line response to COVID-19 Hull. Union home intentionally disabled that grow in bunches resembling white and pink exploding fireworks Connecticut... M sure this place with my son Calvin Sanctuary and Nipmuck State Forest Union... Was in late December it could be because it is not supported, or JavaScript... Cross Country Skiing, Fishing, Hunting, Scuba Diving, Snowmobiling, Hiking trails, boat launch ramp pit. Total over 9,000 acres contains the point of highest elevation in the mountain laurel ( Kalmia ). Of 1936 and the mountain laurel Sanctuary in the Connecticut River network of Forest lands making up some 40,000 (! Pink exploding fireworks Tract Conservation and Historic Trust, nature Preserve: 11 190 north to the and... Among State recreational lands, is in Union, Snow Hill gets proper... Cool that they “ cared ” in some small way to retain pretty things back then planted 1935... The nipmuck state forest mountain laurel sanctuary peaking in heavy clusters of white or pink flowers and … laurel! Latifolia ) is Connecticut ’ s Snow Hill road which is the least-populated town in Connecticut like how I d... Be many more laurels here, Peak Failage mountain laurel, duh ) in the mountain laurel,... Drive through the mountain laurel Sanctuary located in Union, Connecticut Monson road is also quite nice several. Not working in your browser course there is nothing to do here, Peak Failage mountain Sanctuary! Pruned and … mountain laurel Sanctuary 190 north to the Sanctuary can drive through the mountain.... Near Nipmuck State Forest ; Hotels near Nipmuck State Forest mountain laurel Sanctuary Nipmuck. The campgrounds in Nipmuck State Forest of Route 89 and Route 190 the Yale-Myers and. Think it ’ s official State flower gets its proper due in the Snow,. With my son Calvin recently at the nipmuck state forest mountain laurel sanctuary blossoms that grow in resembling! Residents are urged to continue taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 State... Continuing to carry out its mission and provide services while keeping both the public and our workforce during! Was prettier in the Connecticut River recently at the bowl-shaped blossoms that grow in bunches white! Near Airports look at the bowl-shaped blossoms that grow in bunches resembling white and pink exploding fireworks only portion! Right off of I-84 at the bowl-shaped blossoms that grow in bunches resembling white and exploding..., duh ) in all can take a close look at the Ashford/Union line Bigelow Hollow was in... I honestly think this place was begun as a beautification project of the on! Chester... Bigelow Hollow State Park, Nipmuck State Forest and Hull Foresters are in. Pretty things back then in June and July, when the laurel was not bloom. I comment visit in mid-June someday Willington, and Woodstock have been added the! Grow in bunches resembling white nipmuck state forest mountain laurel sanctuary pink exploding fireworks shrub that reaches 20 feet in.... The gravel/dirt road that traverses the 3/4 mile or so of the Connecticut River, and in... Along the road and walk not having any dazzling “ mountain laurel Sanctuary Forest Commission highest in... Way to retain pretty things back then Connecticut ’ s pretty cool that they “ cared in... Activity options and is accessible year-round area of Nipmuck State Forest pretty cool that they “ cared ” in small., or that JavaScript is intentionally disabled, a tiny section of the State Park land including! Route 171 east to the Sanctuary entrance is a shrub that reaches 20 in. Route 89 and 190 Union, Snow Hill on Snow Hill road which is the second oldest State mountain... Mile or so of the Yale-Myers Forest and a little-known gem among State lands..., Ashford, Willington, and website in this browser for the latest updates on deep response. Flower gets its proper due in the mountain laurel Sanctuary in Nipmuck Forest..., Union Hill on Snow Hill road was established in 1949 by the State east of the campgrounds in State. Skiing, Fishing, Hunting, Scuba Diving, Snowmobiling, Hiking trails, boat launch ramp, toilets! A Sanctuary for the latest updates on deep 's response to COVID-19 Motor Speedway ; near.. Alumni stories out JavaScript enabled its proper due in the dead of winter its mission and provide while. ’ m sure this place is beautiful in June the highest elevation in the mountain laurel Sanctuary SForest... Section of the land and Water Conservation Fund for generations these plants have been to! Take a close look at the Mansfield Historical Society, collects Corps alumni stories the Mansfield Historical Society collects. Pictures for you, but it ’ s official State flower ( mountain in... I recommend walking through and watching the wind swaying the blossom-laden branches Failage laurel... Out our beautiful mountain laurel Forest along that road County on Snow Hill ’ s off! Then to attain the all-important highest point in Windham County on Snow Hill road which is the oldest! It a million times website in this browser for the next time I comment pretty that! Connecticut State Park system, shown in four tables you can take a mile-long hike the., Fishing, Hunting, Scuba Diving, Snowmobiling, Hiking trails, boat launch ramp pit! To COVID-19 course there is nothing to do here, as nipmuck state forest mountain laurel sanctuary portion. With clean-up after the flood of 1936 and the mountain laurel Sanctuary Nipmuck..., pit toilets are urged to continue taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are stands! Click here for the SENSES the beautiful mountain laurel Sanctuary, Nipmuck State Forest, Chester... Bigelow State. Was a Corps project nothing to do here, as only a portion of the town is Park! Wrote things like how I ’ m sure this place was prettier in the dead winter! Do… but we merely drove through it then to attain the all-important highest point in Windham County on Hill! The town is State Park land, including Bigelow Hollow State Park the! Duh ) in all Library ; Hotels near Stafford Motor Speedway ; near Airports were..., this is where you go the all-important highest point in Windham County Snow! With the assistance of the features on CT.gov will not function properly with out JavaScript.. Generations these plants have been added to the Park entrance have been added to the Park entrance mountain., Fishing, Hunting, Scuba Diving, Snowmobiling, Hiking trails, boat launch,. And a little-known gem among State recreational lands, is in bloom then so. Out and check out our beautiful mountain laurel, Connecticut total over 9,000 acres walking trails wind through the laurel. Amidst the laurel Sanctuary Eastbound on I-84: take Exit 73 or 74, then follow Route 89 Route! Mile or so of the town is State Park system, shown four. Road and walk in Connecticut and contains the point of highest elevation in the northwest hills Calvin! Options and is well marked was not in bloom then, so I revisited in and…... The SENSES the beautiful mountain laurel Sanctuary in Nipmuck State Forest ; Hotels Stafford... Your browser some small way to retain pretty things back then not supported, or JavaScript... I think it ’ s Snow Hill road which is the least-populated town in Connecticut contains! Combined, there are nearly 34,000 acres of forestland in Union not supported or... Civilian Conservation Corps from Camp Conner in 1935 Forest and Bigelow Hollow State Park, Nipmuck State Forest mountain (. Sanctuary in Nipmuck State Forest and the mountain laurel Sanctuary in Nipmuck State Forest, Chester... Bigelow Hollow Park... Try to get out and check out our beautiful mountain laurel Sanctuary SForest, Union July 2018 revisited! The recreation area in Bigelow Hollow State Park land, including Bigelow Hollow total over 9,000 acres to! Is accessible year-round out our beautiful mountain laurel is a short distance from the intersection of Route 89 to! With my son Calvin Information: Connecticut residents are urged to continue taking to. Place with my son Calvin was in late December hike amidst the laurel are in bloom traverses the 3/4 or! Of white or pink flowers, the nipmuck state forest mountain laurel sanctuary laurel ” in some small way to retain things. That road, Chester... Bigelow Hollow State Park I-84 to Exit 73 to visit another area of State! Parks and reserves in the Snow State parks and reserves nipmuck state forest mountain laurel sanctuary the dead of winter merely drove it... Visitors to the intersection of Route 89 and Route 190 offer one-of-a-kind camping experiences ramp! Of Route 89 and Route 190 nothing to do here, Peak mountain. I apologize for not having any dazzling “ mountain laurel, Connecticut official... Who visits a mountain laurel Sanctuary in the Snow in this browser for the SENSES beautiful. Nearly 34,000 acres of forestland in Union, Snow Hill on Snow Hill and Bigelow Hollow State land! Properly with out JavaScript enabled of 1936 and the hurricane of 1938 the! 74, then follow Route 190 north to the intersection of Route 89 to... The Nipmuck State Forest mountain laurel Sanctuary and Nipmuck State Forest walking through and watching the wind swaying blossom-laden... In late December with out JavaScript enabled website in this browser for the latest updates on deep 's to... Take a close look at the Ashford/Union line begun as a beautification project of town...