Pittsburg is a town in the Great North Region of New Hampshire.
Understand
Most people as they head north in the state of New Hampshire will eventually find themselves on US Route 3. As you continue to head further north US-3 becomes the only main road. Finally on your journey North you will enter the bustling little Village center of Colebrook, and as you pass through the village continuing on your way north you have truly entered into the heart of The Great North Woods of New Hampshire. As you near the end of US-3 North you’ll find yourself in the Town of Pittsburg, New Hampshire, and the last stop before Canada. Pittsburg is the most Northerly Community in the State of New Hampshire as well as being the largest incorporated town by land area in the whole of New England. The population of Pittsburg does not come close to rivaling its title as largest town by geographic area, with a paltry 800 residents, Pittsburg has more Moose than people. As one might imagine of a small town deep in The Great North Woods with an abundance of Lakes, Rivers, Ponds, and Streams the Town of Pittsburg is a haven for outdoor actives. Fishing, Paddling, Hiking, Camping, Swimming, Hunting, and ATVing are all popular in the town of Pittsburg, but the one outdoor activity in Pittsburg the reigns supreme above all the others is Snowmobiling. The town of Pittsburg’s website proudly proclaims the town as "the Snowmobiling Capital of New England" , and it is definitely a worthy contender for this title. Every winter when the snow falls the town of Pittsburg comes to life like no other time of year. The town sees a massive influx of people coming to the North through the winter months to ride over 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails within the towns borders. The Snowmobile trails in the town are taken care of by one of the largest Snowmobile clubs in New England The Pittsburg Ridge Runners.
History
Before Pittsburg was an incorporated Town in New Hampshire the territory found themselves with a conundrum,the Signing of the 1783 Treaty Of Paris. The Treaty of Paris was agreed to, and signed by representatives from Great Britain, and The United States. There was a part of the treaty that defined a portion of the New Hampshire boundary by saying "northwesternmost head of the Connecticut River". This was looked at by The United States, and Great Britain very differently. The united states defined the New Hampshire border as Halls Stream while Great Britain saw it as the Connecticut Lakes, and River. The citizens of the territory fed up with being at the whims of both nations declared themselves an independent Republic. The Republic of Indian Stream lasted for 3 years as a Microstate before being Annexed by New Hampshire.
Get in
There are only Two Main Routes to get to Pittsburg, and only one through the town. When it comes to the town of Pittsburg you could say all roads lead to US-3. The main Route that enters, and traverses the entire town of Pittsburg to the Canadian Border is US Route 3. When heading to Pittsburg from the South your best routes to take into the North are either US-3 North or NH-26 West. Either of these two routes will eventually land you in the center of the village of Colebrook, and from here you have Two options to go to Pittsburg.
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US-3 North is the main road into Pittsburg from the North, and the South. US-3 is Pittsburg's Main Street running right through the towns village center.
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NH-145 Is the only other main road within the town of Pittsburg, and NH-145 serves as a more direct route to the village center of Pittsburg from the town of Colebrook than US-3. NH-145's Southern terminus is in Colebrook center, and it's Northern terminus is in Pittsburg center.
Get around
See
The Connecticut Lakes
The Connecticut Lakes are a group of four Lakes in the Town of Pittsburg that make up the Headwaters of The Connecticut River. From South to North The lakes are the First, Second, Third and Fourth Connecticut Lakes. The first three lakes are readily accessible from U.S. Route 3, but to see the Fourth Connecticut Lake one must hike to it from a trail head at the border of Canada.
First Connecticut Lake, 45.094974°, -71.255393°.
Second Connecticut Lake, 45.155772°, -71.172546°.
Third Connecticut Lake, 45.238854°, -71.198920°.
Fourth Connecticut Lake, 45.248000°, -71.213932°.
Do
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Moose Alley, US-3, 45.118985°, -71.237732°. A stretch of US-3 that is north of the village center of Pittsburg going up to the Canadian border. This is a scenic drive that people make in hopes of seeing one of the North Countries large population of Moose.
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Mount Magalloway, Tower Road, 45.069437°, -71.172234°. Hike up to Mount Magalloway's summit Fire Tower for expansive views.
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Lake Francis State Park, 439 River Rd (on the shore of Lake Francis), 45.059757°, -71.301984°, +1 603-538-6965. Many opportunities for swimming, hiking, fishing, canoe rentals, bathrooms, showers, and a visitors center/camp store. This State Park also offers campsites and RV hookups from May 13 to Oct. 23. Some of the campsites are for ATV camping, and offer direct access to Pittsburg's large trail system.
Buy
- First Lake General Store, 3316 US-3, 45.104351°, -71.277744°, +1 603-538-7472. 7AM–5PM. First Lake General Store is the last store you will encounter before reaching Canada. Groceries, licenses, registrations, sporting goods, ATM, free Wi-Fi, breakfast, lunch, and homemade fudge.
Eat
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Rainbow Grille & Tavern, 609 Beach Rd (on the shore of Back Lake), 45.082351°, -71.350954°. Restaurant/Lodge offering American cuisine such as steaks, seafood, soups, beer, wine and mixed drinks.
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Moose Alley Cones, 3 Partridge Rd, 45.103801°, -71.279058°, +1603-538-6380. Roadside stand offering ice cream cones and sundaes.
Drink
- Buck Rub Pub, 2253 N Main St, 45.065617°, -71.343605°, +1 603-538-6935. Pub with a full food menu, and many popular beers, and local craft beers by Coos Brewing co on tap.
Sleep
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At Bear Tree, 118 The Glen Rd, 45.101766°, -71.259037°, +1 603-538-9995. Establishment that has eleven lakeside cabins on the First Connecticut Lake ,a six guestroom lodge,a four guestroom Inn and three Woodland cabins available to stay.
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Ramblewood Cabins & Campground, 59 Ramblewood Rd, 45.108652°, -71.286480°, +1 603-538-6948. Campground on a hillside that has views of the First Connecticut Lake, with sites available for tents and RVs, offering water and electric hookups. Ramblewood also offers several cabins for rent; 5 lakeside cabins on The First Connecticut Lake and two other nearer to the campground. All cabins have access to Pittsburg Ridge Runners snowmobile trails.