Granite State Ambassadors www.NHGraniteStateAmbassadors.org

Regional Resource & Referral Guide: Great North Woods Region Use this document filled with local referrals from Granite State Ambassadors & State Welcome Center attendants as an informational starting point for guest referrals. For business referrals, please reference your local brochures & guides.

Hidden Gems: ● Baby Flume Gorge, 1212 NH 26 West, Dixville Notch – short walk inside Dixville Notch State Park to a waterfall within a small, narrow gorge. The Cascade Brook Falls are across the road about ¼ mile. (https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/dixville-notch-state- park) ● Beaver Brook Falls, NH 145, Colebrook – About 2.5 miles north of Colebrook on the right- hand side of the road. (https://www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/blog/best-bets-north- country-waterfalls) ● Pondcherry Wildlife Refuge, Airport Rd., Whitefield – Off NH 115, hiking trails, owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with NH Audubon and NH Department of Fish and Game. (http://www.nhaudubon.org/pondicherry-wildlife-refuge/) ● Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge and NH 16 North along the Thirteen Mile Woods for moose watching and beautiful landscapes. (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/umbagog/)

Curiosity: ● North Hill Cemetery, off NH 145, Stewartstown Hollow in Stewartstown – Grave of Metallak was the last Indian living in NH who had not gone to Canada or assimilated into early 19th century American culture. https://www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/historical- attractions.html) ● 45th Parallel, NH 145, Clarksville – Located in triangular plot at junction of NH 145 and Clarksville Pond Road. At this point you stand at longitude 71 degrees, 24 degrees west from Greenwich, England and half-way between the equator and the north pole.

Covered Bridges: For complete descriptions, visit www.northerngatewaychamber.org/bridges-of-coos-county. ● Stark Covered Bridge, NH 110 (Off NH 3, 7 miles easht on NH 110), Stark – Classic NH village ● Pittsburg-Clarksville Covered Bridge, Bacon Road, Pittsburg ● Happy Corner Covered Bridge, Hill Rd. (6 miles north on NH 3), Pittsburg ● River Road Covered Bridge, Rd. (7 miles north on NH 3), Pittsburg ● Mechanic Street Covered Bridge, off NH 3, Lancaster ● Mt. Orne Covered Bridge, NH 35 West (off NH 3), Lancaster ● Groveton Covered Bridge, NH 3, Northumberland ● Columbia Covered Bridge, Bridge Road (west of NH 3, 4 miles south of Colebrook), Columbia

Swimming Holes: ● First Lake, NH 3, Pittsburgh (5 miles northeast of village) – beach near the dam. https://www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/swimming.html ● Second Connecticut Lake, NH 3, Pittsburg (2 miles upstream from First Connecticut Lake. https://www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/swimming.html ● Third Connecticut Lake, NH 3, Pittsburg (5 miles upstream from Second Connecticut Lake, less than 1 mile south of the Canadian border) - https://www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/swimming.html ● Lake Francis, east of Pittsburg on border of Pittsburg and Clarksville – man-made lake built by Army Corps of Engineers in 1930s. (https://www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/swimming.html) ● , border between NH and VT – Many swimming holes, canoeing/ kayaking and places to picnic along the river bank. Look for signage for boat access. Try paddling from the Bridge St. bridge in Colebrook, to the Columbia Covered Bridge. https://www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/swimming.html ● Little Diamond Pond, , 1166 Diamond Pond Road, Stewartstown – (https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/coleman-state-park) ● NH State parks – Jericho Mountain State Park (Berlin), (Gorham), South Pond Recreational Area (Stark) and others – offer swimming, picnicking and fishing, and trails for exploring on foot or mountain bike. (https://www.nhstateparks.com/greatnorthwoods.html) ● , access in Errol and follow south – Swimming holes along the way. (https://www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/swimming.html)

Places to Paddle: ● , 235 East Route 26, Cambridge – Swimming, camping, paddling and cottage rentals. (https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/umbagog-campground) ● ELC Outdoors, 983 Upton Rd, Errol - Androscoggin River Paddle takes you on a 5-mile stretch of the Androscoggin that was formerly a thoroughfare for log drives. Explore the river and its many tributaries at a relaxed pace. (https://elcoutdoors.com/) ● NH’s Region – general paddling information on their website or call (603) 538-7118. (https://nhconnlakes.com/pittsburg-nh-vacation/paddling-lakes/) ● Pondcherry Wildlife Refuge, Airport Rd., Whitefield – Off NH 115, hiking trails, owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with NH Audubon and NH Department of Fish and Game. (http://www.nhaudubon.org/pondicherry-wildlife-refuge/) ● Connecticut and Androscoggin Rivers – See Swimming Holes above. ● Moore Dam and Reservoir, Dalton and Littleton – (https://wildlife.state.nh.us/maps/bathymetry/moore_littleton.pdf) ● Burns Pond, NH 116, Whitefield – (https://wildlife.state.nh.us/maps/bathymetry/burns_whitefield.pdf)

Hike or Nature Walk: ● Presidential Rail Trail, Whitefield to Gorham – Stretches for about 20 miles from Gorham to the Airport (Hazen) Road near the Whitefield airport. (https://friendsofthepresidentialrailtrail.org/) ● Weeks State Park, 200 Weeks State Park Rd. (off NH 3), Lancaster – Mt. Prospect estate of John Wingate Weeks, leading conservationist, U. S. Congressman, U. S. Senator and Secretary of War under Presidents Harding and Coolidge. Magnificent views of White and Green Mountains. The John Wingate Weeks House Museum is also open to the public and tours are offered during the operating season. (https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state- parks/weeks-state-park.aspx) ● Beaver Brook Falls, NH 145, Colebrook – About 2.5 miles north of Colebrook on the right- hand side of the road. Hiking on either side of the falls. (See Hidden Gems above.) ● River Walk along Connecticut River, Colebrook - etails of various tree species along path. (https://www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/hiking.html) ● Clarksville Freedom Trail, Bressett Rd., off NH 145, Clarksville – Only trail in the North Country that is a limited mobility access trail. This mile-long nature trail traverses wooded land and has several loops including difficulties of grades ranging from easy to intermediate. Funded in part by a matching grant from the State of New Hampshire, this trail took three years to develop, with over a thousand volunteer hours to make it a reality. (https://www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/hiking.html) ● 4th Connecticut Lake, NH 3 at Canadian Border, Pittsburg – Origin of Connecticut River, must hike into area which is a beaver pond with a lodge but interesting that you can have one leg in Canada and the other in the U.S. The trailhead is located in back of the US Customs building and parking is located across US 3 from the customs building. ● Extensive hiking throughout area for all skill levels. (https://www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/hiking.html)

Bike Trails: ● Coos Cycling Club, P. O. Box 92, Gorham – The CCC offers weekly group rides all summer and into the fall. See website for information about that and many trails maintained by them. (https://cooscyclingclub.org/) ● The Spoke ‘n Word, 10 Spring St., Colebrook – bike shop offers repairs, rentals, sales, group rides. (http://www.thespokenwordbikeshop.com/) ● Presidential Rail Trail, Whitefield to Gorham – Stretches for about 20 miles from Gorham to the Airport (Hazen) Road near the Whitefield airport. (https://friendsofthepresidentialrailtrail.org/)

Picnic Area Favorites: ● Too numerous to mention. All listed below have views and at least a toilet: Colebrook Welcome Center, Beaver Brook Falls, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Connecticut Lakes, Lake Francis, Back Lake, Boundry Pond, Big and Little Diamond Ponds, Fish Pond.

Historical Sites or Notations: ● Weeks State Park, 200 Weeks State Park Rd., Lancaster - Named after John Wingate Weeks, wonderful country estate on Prospect Mt. overlooking the Connecticut River, amazing views of the White Mountains, wonderful grounds, estate tours, well worth a visit. (See Hikes above.) ● Poore Family Homestead, 629 Hollow Road, Route 145, Stewartstown – Historical homestead and settlement showing life from the 1830's to the 1990's. The house, barns, and out-buildings hold a large collection of historical clothing, artifacts, newspapers, magazines, diaries and letters from the civil war to present, tools, horse drawn wagons, farming implements and a collection of everyday items. (https://www.poorefarm.org/) ● Colebrook Historical Society, 17 Bridge St, Colebrook – Second floor of the Colebrook Town Hall. Maps, photographs, local history items and official document are here. A museum annex is located in the lower level of the Tillotson Center at 14 Carriage Lane, Colebrook, NH. It houses an antique fire engine and other displays. Open seasonally. (https://colebrookareahistoricalsociety.weebly.com/index.html) ● Pittsburg Historical Society, Main Street, Pittsburg – Located in the old Town Hall, across from the Police Station. Filled with memories of Pittsburg's past. Open summer hours. (http://www.pittsburg-nh.com/town-history/historic-society) ● One - Room School House, Tabor Rd. just off US 3, Pittsburg – Built in 1897 and operated until 1939. It was one of nine schoolhouses in Pitttsburg. It has been restored with original contents, photos and memorabilia from former students. The bell from the Danforth School (purchased in 1897) hangs in the belfry. The schoolhouse is on the State and National Register of Historic Places. (http://www.pittsburg-nh.com/exploring- pittsburg/hunting/9-exploring-pittsburg/35-indian-stream-valley) ● Roadside Historical Markers – numerous ones throughout the region including one explaining Log Drives on the Connecticut River. It’s located on US 3, less than 2 miles south of the center of Stratford.

Other Favorites or ‘Must visit’ Places: ● Moose Festival, Colebrook – Celebrate all things moose, held annually the weekend before Labor Day. (https://www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/moose-festival.html) ● Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel (and Raft NH), 32 Valley Road, Jefferson – Kennel address, just off NH 115. Dog sledding in winter, other seasons on rolling dog sleds. (https://dogslednh.com/) ● Bear Rock Adventures, 545 Beach Rd., Pittsburg – Ride over 1,000 miles of Ride the Wilds interconnected trails throughout Northern New Hampshire. (https://www.bearrockadventures.com/) ● Santa’s Village, 528 Presidential Highway, Jefferson – Named one of the Top 25 Amusement Parks in the USA by TripAdvisor 2014 Travelers’ Choice Awards. (www.santasvillage.com/) ● NH Campground Owners Association – camping galore in the Great North Woods. See their website or printed guide. (https://www.ucampnh.com/) ● Ride the back roads – some favorites: Route 16 from Gorham to Errol Route 115 from Carroll to Jefferson Route 135 from Lancaster to Littleton Route 110 from Gorham to Stark and beyond ● Fullers Sugarhouse, 267 Main St., Lancaster – Family owned, pure maple sugar products of all kinds. (www.fullersugarhouse.com) ● Root Seller Market Place, 77 Main St., Lancaster – local meats, produce, eggs, honey and artisan crafts. (www.taprootnh.org) ● Fiddleheads, 110 Main St., Colebrook – Hand-crafted pottery, jewelry, glass, etc., from local, regional and national artists and artisans. (https://www.fiddleheadsusa.com/)

LOCAL INFORMATION RESOURCES AND WELCOME CENTERS TO SEND GUESTS TO WHEN THEY ARRIVE IN THAT AREA:

● Colebrook Welcome and Information Center, 374 LGL Memorial Highway (US 3), Colebrook (603) 237-5390

● North Country Chamber of Commerce, 104 Main St., Suite 206, Colebrook (603) 237-8939 or www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com

● Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce, 961 Main St., Berlin (603) 752-6060 or www.androscogginvalleychamber.com

● Great Woods Welcome Center, 24 Park St., Lancaster (603) 788-3212

● Northern Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce, 25 Park Street, Lancaster (603) 788-2530 or www.northerngatewaychamber.org

● Umbagog Area Chamber of Commerce, P. O. Box 113, Errol (603) 482-3906 or www.umbagogchamber.com

● Gorham Information Booth, 69 Main St., Gorham (603) 466-3322 or www.gorhamnh.org/pages/GorhamNH_RecCal/S018A8876?Access=1

May 6, 2019