Pittsburg outdoors guide
Outdoor Recreation in Pittsburg, NH: A Practical Starting Guide
Pittsburg has developed camping, lake and river access, conservation land, day hikes, and a large working-forest recreation network. Start with the official source for the activity you want, then confirm current access and rules before leaving.
By Coos Daily Editorial team · Published and reviewed July 26, 2026
Choose a starting point
| If you want | Start with | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Camping and a developed lake base | Lake Francis State Park | The state lists camping, boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, and ATV-connected campsites. |
| Quiet-water paddling and conservation land | East Inlet and Norton Pool Preserve | The preserve is open to the public and reached by canoe or kayak from East Inlet; no pets or camping. |
| An easy woods walk to a river feature | Falls in the River Trail | The Cohos Trail Association describes an easy walk from Second Connecticut Lake Dam to a falls and flume. |
| A short headwaters hike | Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail | The trail is short but briefly steep and reaches the Connecticut River headwaters; dogs are not allowed. |
| Broad multi-use access | Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Working Forest ↗ | The state describes recreation across a 146,000-acre working forest. Gate access and restrictions can change. |
For a developed base
Lake Francis State Park sits on the shore of the 2,000-acre lake. NH State Parks lists 45 campsites, including water-and-electric and ATV camping sites, plus a boat ramp and canoeing access. Use the official park page for current hours, fees, reservations, and pet rules.
For day hikes
The Cohos Trail Association identifies Falls in the River as an easy woods walk. Deer Mountain starts easy-to-moderate before becoming steeper near its abandoned fire tower. Fourth Connecticut Lake is short but includes a brief steep section. Those descriptions are route guidance, not Coos Daily rankings.
For paddling
The Nature Conservancy describes East Inlet and Norton Pool as a 427-acre preserve open to the public, with canoe and kayak access from East Inlet. Preserve rules prohibit pets, camping, open fires, hunting, and trapping.
For working-forest access
The Connecticut Lakes Headwaters property is a privately owned working forest with public recreation access. Because forestry operations, gates, trail relocations, and seasonal restrictions can affect a trip, check the state page and gate-status information the day you go.
Pittsburg outdoor listings
This inventory comes from Coos Daily's directory and is not a ranking. Directory data is dated June 27, 2026. Confirm access, hours, and rules with the land manager or operator.
- ATV Trail · unclaimed
- Back Lake · unclaimed
- Brown Company Lots State Wildlife Management Area · unclaimed
- Connecticut Lakes State Forest · unclaimed
- Deer Mountain Trailhead · unclaimed
- East Inlet Wildlife Management Area · unclaimed
- East Inlet access · unclaimed
- East Inlet and Norton Pool Preserve · unclaimed
- Falls in the River Trail · unclaimed
- First Connecticut Lake Picnic Area · unclaimed
- Fourth Connecticut Lake Hiking Trail · unclaimed
- Garfield Falls · unclaimed
- Gray Lot State Wildlife Management Area · unclaimed
- Lake Francis State Park · unclaimed
- Mt.Magalloway Trailhead · unclaimed
- Philbrook Beach · unclaimed
- Philbrook Town Park · unclaimed
- Pittsburg Town Farm · unclaimed
- Scott Bog Fishing Access · unclaimed
- Scotts Bog Wildlife Management Area · unclaimed
Sources and method
Coos Daily reviewed the official sources below on July 26, 2026 and matched relevant places to the live directory. This guide is a practical synthesis, not a record of a firsthand visit and not a ranking of recreation sites.