The Quinebaug Highlands are a 172,000 acre region of

mountain A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited Summit (topography), summit area, and ...

s surrounding the Connecticut/Massachusetts border near Ashford, Eastford, Union, and Woodstock in

Connecticut Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. Its cap ...

and Southbridge and Sturbridge in

Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett language, Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut assachusett writing systems, məhswatʃəwiːsət'' English: , ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous U.S. state, state in the New England ...

. It includes over acres of protected forest. The highlands are the source for several rivers, including the Quinebaug River, and are part of the

Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor is a federally designated National Heritage Corridor in northeastern Connecticut and portions of Massachusetts. It has a rural character with rolling hills, farmland and classic New England scenery ...

. The highest elevation is Burley Hill in

Union, CT Union is a town located in the northeastern part of Tolland County, Connecticut, United States and is part of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor. The population was 785 at the 2020 census, making it the least ...

Recreational Opportunities

The highlands many protected area offer opportunities for

hiking Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century.AMATO, JOSEPH A. "Mind over Foot: Romantic Walking and Rambling." In ''On Foot: A Histor ...

canoeing Canoeing is an activity which involves paddling a canoe with a single-bladed paddle. Common meanings of the term are limited to when the canoeing is the central purpose of the activity. Broader meanings include when it is combined with other acti ...

kayaking Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving over water. It is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. A kayak is a low-to-the-water, canoe-like boat in which the paddler sits fac ...

hunting Hunting is the human activity, human practice of seeking, pursuing, capturing, or killing wildlife or feral animals. The most common reasons for humans to hunt are to harvest food (i.e. meat) and useful animal products (fur/hide (skin), hide, ...

and

fishing Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment, but may also be caught from stocked bodies of water such as ponds, canals, park wetlands and reservoirs. Fishing techniques inclu ...

. It is one of the few areas in Connecticut that offers back country camping.

Mountains and protected areas of the Quinebaug Highlands

Bigelow Hollow State Park Bigelow Hollow State Park is public recreation area in the town of Union, Connecticut, in the Quinebaug Highlands. The state park's border Nipmuck State Forest on the east and west and Mashapaug Lake on the north. The park and forest are loc ...

Brimfield State Forest Brimfield State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in and around the town of Brimfield in Hampden County, Massachusetts. The forest includes Dean Pond Recreation Area, a popular spot for fishing, picnicking and swimming. The park is ...

* Burley Hill * East Brimfield Lake *

Natchaug State Forest Natchaug State Forest is a Connecticut state forest located in six towns including Ashford, Chaplin, and Eastford. The Natchaug River runs from north to south along (and in a few cases through) the western border of the main forest parcel. Jam ...

Nipmuck State Forest Nipmuck State Forest is a Connecticut state forest. Its surround Bigelow Hollow State Park in the town of Union and include parcels in Stafford, Ashford, and other towns. The forest is part of a larger network of forest lands making up some ...

Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary The Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife refuge in Monson, Massachusetts. Founded by Arthur Norcross in 1939, the 8,000 acre wildlife refuge was established to preserve, protect and propagate native flora and fauna. The refuge is part of the ...

* Snow Hill * Streeter Point Recreation Area * Wells State Park * Westville Lake *

Yale-Myers Forest The Yale-Myers Forest is a 7,800-acre (32 km2) forest in Northeastern Connecticut owned by Yale University and administered by the Yale School of the Environment. Located in the towns of Union, Ashford, Eastford, and Woodstock, the forest i ...

References

{{Coord, 42.03, -72.10, display=title Geography of Hampden County, Massachusetts Geography of Tolland County, Connecticut Geography of Windham County, Connecticut Geography of Worcester County, Massachusetts Tourist attractions in Hampden County, Massachusetts Tourist attractions in Tolland County, Connecticut Tourist attractions in Windham County, Connecticut Tourist attractions in Worcester County, Massachusetts Highlands