Coos County · Great North Woods

Pittsburg

Where the Connecticut River Begins — Headwaters & Four Lakes

Part of the Berlin area

About Pittsburg

Pittsburg is the northernmost town in New Hampshire and the largest municipality by area in the state, a vast wilderness of dense forests, clean lakes, and remote logging roads that feels more like northern Maine or Canada than suburban New England. The Connecticut Lakes — First, Second, Third, and tiny Fourth — form the headwaters of the Connecticut River, drawing anglers from across the country for some of the finest brook trout and landlocked salmon fishing in the Northeast. Moose outnumber people here, and snowmobile trails crisscross hundreds of miles of groomed terrain each winter. Lake Francis State Park sits on the shores of Lake Francis, part of the Connecticut River system, offering camping facilities and boat launch access for fishing and boating. The park features hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities, open seasonally from late spring through fall. For those looking to stay longer, Bear Rock Adventures provides both RV and tent camping sites, giving visitors a base camp for exploring the North Country wilderness. The village center is sparse but welcoming, with a general store, a handful of lodges, and the kind of neighbors who wave from their trucks. This is where you come when you want to disappear into true North Country solitude.

Why Pittsburg?

Largest town in NH with unmatched wilderness and wildlife
Connecticut Lakes offer world-class trout and salmon fishing
Over 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in winter
Lowest property tax rate in the region at $9.60 per $1,000
True off-the-grid living with dark skies and moose sightings

Quick Facts

Population

869

County

Coos

Region

Great North Woods

School District

SAU 7

Weather in Pittsburg

50°F

Partly Cloudy

Today

53 / 24

Sun

56 / 33

Mon

61 / 38

Map

Living in Pittsburg

What you need to know about making Pittsburg your home.

Major Employers

Tall Timber LodgeThe GlenLopstick Lodge & CabinsPittsburg School DistrictTown of Pittsburg

Schools & Education

Pittsburg operates its own PK-12 school system through SAU 7, with small class sizes and a 100% graduation rate at the high school.

Cost of Living

One of the most affordable places in New Hampshire with low home prices and exceptionally low property taxes at $9.60 per $1,000, though the remote location means longer drives for major shopping.

Real Estate

$200,000 median home price

$9.60 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Pittsburg

Commute Times

80 min

Berlin

25 min

Colebrook

60 min

Lancaster

75 min

Littleton

School District

Regional district

Colebrook School District(SAU 7)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Colebrook.

Pittsburg serves as a district hub for students from nearby towns in this district.

District towns

Colebrook Stewartstown Clarksville Columbia

Pittsburg Elementary/Middle School

PK-8Middle School

Pittsburg High School

9-12High School

Parks & Public Spaces

Lake Francis State ParkState Park

Hidden Gems in Pittsburg

Beyond the well-known attractions, Pittsburg has spots that locals love and visitors rarely find.

East Inlet

summer

A pristine 92-acre bog pond surrounded by one of the last stands of virgin spruce-fir forest in the eastern United States. Known locally as the 'Moose Pasture' because moose are so frequently seen standing in the water grazing on aquatic vegetation. Early morning paddlers are often rewarded with moose sightings, great blue herons, loons, and even bald eagles. The silence here is profound, broken only by the haunting calls of loons.

Boundary Pond Memorial

summer

A remote 20-acre mountain pond straddling the NH-Canada border where a bronze plaque on a boulder reads 'The Jolly Green Giant Died Here.' It commemorates Conservation Officer Gary Waterhouse who died of a heart attack here in 1968 while on duty. The pond feels like you're at the edge of the world, accessible only by a challenging hike through wilderness. The memorial adds a poignant human story to this pristine, seldom-visited spot.

Magalloway Mountain Fire Tower

summer

A short but steep hike up to a working fire tower with sweeping views into Canada, Maine, and Vermont. What makes this special is the remoteness - it requires an 8-mile drive on increasingly rough logging roads, making you feel like you're heading into the true wilderness. The tower cabin can be rented for overnight stays, and on clear days you can see Mount Washington 56 miles south. Locals love this for sunrise and sunset.

Little Hellgate Falls

summer

A hidden waterfall deep in the Great North Woods with a dark history - it's named 'Hellgate' because many loggers died here breaking up log jams. The 30-foot falls are exceptionally beautiful and there's a log picnic table overlooking them. Getting there requires following unmarked snowmobile trail #137 and crossing bridges, making it feel like a secret locals' spot. The surrounding forest echoes with the sound of rushing water.

Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail

summer

One of the few international hiking trails in North America that literally criss-crosses the US-Canada border multiple times. The 1.7-mile trail leads to a tiny 2.5-acre tarn that's the humble source of New England's longest river. You'll step over the Connecticut River where it's just a small brook and see border markers embedded in rocks. The trail starts right behind the US Customs building, making it feel wonderfully surreal.