North of New Hampshire's White Mountains, Pittsburg sits at 1,903 feet elevation with temperatures frequently 10-15 degrees cooler than southern parts of the state. This northernmost New Hampshire town borders Canada and contains the headwaters of the Connecticut River, offering camping options from primitive sites to fully-equipped glamping accommodations across rugged terrain with limited cell service in many locations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Lake Francis State Park Campground, access premier fishing spots along the Connecticut River. "Amazing fishing was also a short hike away up the Connecticut River up to the River Road covered bridge," notes Justin P., highlighting spots often overlooked by casual visitors.
Kayaking and paddling: Mollidgewock State Park Campground provides direct river access for water activities. One camper shared, "We didn't spend any time on Lake Francis, but I highly recommend paddling at East Inlet (30min east of the campground)." For those without equipment, "I called North Country Paddle (603-538-6565) and they were very helpful and we had two kayaks delivered within 40 minutes," reports Jim O.
Wildlife viewing: The Pittsburg area offers exceptional wildlife encounters year-round. "Mollidgewock State Park, overlooking the Androscoggin River, is embedded in the beautiful and tranquil scenery that makes up what I would call, the moose capital of NH," writes Rachel P., who experienced her first moose sighting while staying there.
What campers like
Remote wilderness settings: Aziscoos Valley Camping Area provides solitude along the Magalloway River. "Some of the best brook trout and landlocked salmon fishing nearby. Great place for canoe or kayak trips. Make sure you are well provisioned before arriving, there are no supplies nearby," advises Kevin W., emphasizing the truly remote experience.
Waterfront camping sites: Many campers value direct water access. At Lake Francis, one visitor noted, "We came in on a Friday afternoon without a reservation. Luckily there were a few sites left including a couple on lake front. The view in the morning out of the back of our van was quite satisfying." This convenient placement allows campers to maximize water activities without additional travel.
Clean facilities despite remote locations: Coleman State Park Campground maintains high cleanliness standards. "Facilities were cleaned twice a day. Kayak and paddle boat rentals available," reports Jillian, noting the park's maintenance even in remote settings. Another camper commented, "The campground itself is very simply set up... There are water spigots located throughout the campground and a visitors center building with bathrooms, laundry and showers."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically between locations near Pittsburg. "There is no cell service (at least for Verizon users), but that's exactly what we wanted," notes a Coleman State Park visitor. At other sites, you may find spotty coverage: "We had ATT and Verizon both provided cell phone service at our site but data service was not useful on either," reported a camper at Aziscoos Valley.
Limited supply access: Most glamping locations near Pittsburg require advance planning. "There is a store - Young's General Store less than 3 miles away that says they 'have pretty much everything'. We didn't need anything so we didn't stop in, but it looked like a place that would have what you'd need while camping," notes Jim O. about supplies near Lake Francis.
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations in the North Country can be extreme, even in summer. Maidstone State Park visitors note this remote area experiences significant temperature drops: "I was here in October and it was COLD, so be prepared for all kinds of weather," warns Jean C.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Ladd Pond Cabins and Campground offers family-friendly water features. "They have a beautiful pond in the back they have showers or a shower and toilet for those that need it a common room for those that want to cook food play games watch movies," reports Jonathan M., highlighting amenities beyond just camping.
Trivia opportunities: Lake Francis State Park offers engaging activities for children. "My daughter had gotten more candy out of them then she know what to do with answering the daily trivia question right," shares Jessica C., noting how staff interactions create memorable experiences for younger campers.
Convenient amenities: Several sites offer features that make family camping more manageable. Lake Francis provides "a sink with hot running water where you can wash your dishes at the main house," according to Lisa P., while Coleman State Park offers coin-operated laundry facilities, helpful for extended family stays.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: For RVers visiting Coleman State Park, site placement matters. "Most of the sites are nice, there are a few near the road that I would not recommend on high traffic weekends, due to the fact that they are right on the road," advises Miccal M., providing insight for larger vehicle parking.
Hookup variations: Water and electric hookups vary significantly between campgrounds. At Lake Francis State Park, one RVer noted, "We stayed in site 32 (no hookups). It was a grassy site surrounded by trees and brush, so pretty private. It was not on the lake, there are about 7 RV sites right on the lake with full hookups which are great but they do not have the privacy of 32."
Space limitations: Larger RVs should research specific sites before booking. "The sites and facilities are well maintained and quite clean. There are nice shaded sites along the river as well as a number of sites in a wide open field," reports Sarah C. about Aziscoos Valley Camping Area, which accommodates different RV preferences for shade versus sun exposure.
