Outdoor Adventures in the Great North Woods: Trails, Water and Parks

North of the White Mountains, New Hampshire changes character. The towns thin out, the forest takes over, and the roads follow rivers and lakes toward the Canadian border. This is the Great North Woods, the state's most remote corner, and for anyone who loves the outdoors it is the reason to keep driving north. This guide covers outdoor activities in the Great North Woods NH, with local outfitters and guides from our directory, and a few notes on planning a trip as the region shakes off winter.

Getting oriented

The Great North Woods takes in the northern part of Coos County, from Berlin and Milan up through Errol, Colebrook and Pittsburg. It is part of the much larger Northern Forest that stretches across northern New England and New York.

Pittsburg is the headline town. It is the largest town by area in all of New England and the northernmost town in New Hampshire, covering about 3 percent of the state's area, with roughly 800 residents at the 2020 census. U.S. Route 3 is its only major highway. In the 1830s, an unclear border between the United States and Canada briefly made the area its own self-governing microstate, the Republic of Indian Stream.

Errol sits to the east, where Route 16 meets Route 26, with fewer than 300 year-round residents. It is the gateway to Umbagog Lake and the upper Androscoggin River.

Berlin and Milan are the southern gateway, the first stop for many visitors coming north from the White Mountains.

The Connecticut Lakes

The Connecticut Lakes are the headwaters of the Connecticut River, New England's longest river. There are four, numbered south to north, and they get smaller and higher as you go. The fourth lake is the source of the river itself and can only be reached on foot by the Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail, which crosses in and out of Canada along the border. The first three lakes can be seen from Route 3, and all four lie north of the 45th parallel. South of them sits Lake Francis, a reservoir that is the last of the big lakes on the river in northern New Hampshire.

Driving Route 3 north along the lakes is an outing in itself, with water views and roadside pull-offs. Many visitors watch for wildlife along the way; drive slowly, especially at dawn and dusk.

Fishing the North Country

Cold rivers and big lakes make the region one of New Hampshire's best-known fishing destinations.

• North Country Fly Shop in Pittsburg is a fly shop and guide service offering drift and wade trips on the Upper Connecticut River and the Androscoggin, along with flies, gear and fly-tying supplies. A guided day is the fastest way to learn unfamiliar water, and the shop is a good place to ask about local patterns.

New Hampshire requires a fishing license for anglers of license age. Check New Hampshire Fish and Game for licensing and current regulations before you go, since rules can differ from one stretch of water to the next.

Paddling and rafting from Errol

• Northern Waters Outfitters is located beside the Androscoggin River in Errol and has been a base for North Country trips for about fifty years. It offers family-friendly rafting, canoe trips and rentals, kayak instruction and riverside camping. It is a natural starting point for exploring the river and nearby Umbagog Lake.

Umbagog Lake is a wilderness lake that straddles the New Hampshire–Maine line, in Errol and Upton, Maine, and is considered one of the most pristine lakes in New Hampshire. Its name is said to come from the Abenaki for "shallow water," and it is pronounced um-BAY-gog. Its coves and backwaters reward a slow paddle.

ATV and off-road trails

The North Country is known for its long network of off-highway trails, and several businesses rent machines and guide visitors.

• Bear Rock Adventures in Pittsburg rents side-by-side ATVs in summer and snowmobiles in winter, with lodging and camping on site, so you can ride straight from where you stay.
• Trail Tow and Guiding in Berlin offers ATV rentals and guided tours around Jericho State Park, along with trailside assistance for riders who run into trouble.

Trail systems in the region open and close by season to protect trails during the spring thaw. Always confirm which trails are open before you plan a ride, register your machine as required, and stay on marked routes.

Nordic skiing near Berlin

• Nansen Ski Club grooms Nordic ski and snowshoe trails at Milan Hill State Park. Founded in the late 1800s, it describes itself as the oldest continually operating ski club in America. The club is working to restore the Big Nansen, a 172-foot ski jump that hosted the first Olympic jumping trials in 1938. The club is run by volunteers, and its trails are a winter destination worth putting on your list for next season.

Visiting in spring

Late April and May are a quiet, in-between time in the Great North Woods. Snow lingers in the woods, lakes are losing their ice, and back roads and trails are often soft and muddy. Many seasonal businesses are preparing to open rather than running full schedules. That makes spring a good time to scout and plan rather than to count on any particular trip. Call outfitters ahead, expect cold water if you paddle, and dress for winter conditions at higher elevations. By early summer, the region opens up for paddling, fishing and riding.

Planning tips

• Fill up the tank. Services are spread out. Fuel up and carry food and water before you head north.
• Expect weak cell service. Download maps and tell someone your plans before you go into the woods.
• Watch for wildlife on the roads. Drive carefully at night and in low light.
• Carry a paper map. GPS directions can be unreliable on remote forest roads, so bring a printed map of the area as a backup.
• Respect private land. Much of the North Woods is working forest. Follow posted signs and trail rules.

A sample weekend

1. Day one: drive north through Berlin and stop at Milan Hill State Park, then continue to Errol for an afternoon on the Androscoggin with Northern Waters.

2. Day two: head to Pittsburg for a guided morning of fly fishing, then drive Route 3 along the Connecticut Lakes.

3. Day three: take a guided ATV ride before the drive home, if trails are open.

FAQ

What is there to do outdoors in the Great North Woods?

Fishing, paddling and rafting, ATV riding, snowmobiling, Nordic skiing, wildlife watching and scenic drives along the Connecticut Lakes and Umbagog Lake.

Where are the Connecticut Lakes?

In Pittsburg, at the very top of New Hampshire, along the headwaters of the Connecticut River and U.S. Route 3.

Is spring a good time to visit?

Spring is quiet and often muddy. Many trails and seasonal businesses are closed or limited, so call ahead. Summer, fall and winter are the main seasons.

Do I need a fishing license?

Yes, if you are of license age. Check New Hampshire Fish and Game for current licensing and rules.

Sources

• Pittsburg, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (largest town in New England by area; 2020 population; Indian Stream): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburg,_New_Hampshire
• Connecticut Lakes, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_Lakes
• Connecticut River, Wikipedia (New England's longest river): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_River
• Umbagog Lake, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbagog_Lake
• Errol, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Errol,_New_Hampshire
• Great North Woods, Wikipedia (Northern Forest): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_North_Woods_Region
• New Hampshire Fish and Game (fishing licenses): https://www.wildlife.nh.gov
• Business websites: northcountryflyshop.com, beoutside.com, bearrockadventures.com, trailtowandguidingllc.com, skinansen.com