SO MANY WAYS TO SUMMER IN THE GREAT NORTH WOODS

Joe Klementovich Photography

We’re so excited for this season! There’s nothing quite like summer in our neck of the woods, and our community offers some of the most memorable outdoor experiences for friends, families and individuals alike. Here in the North Country, we have no shortage of fun activities and the warm weather means there’s no better time to get after it! 

From challenging hikes to laid-back days soaking in the warm sun and breathtaking scenery, nobody has trouble finding things to do in the Great North Woods. Here are some of our favorite summertime activities to help you plan your next visit.

Take the Go North 9er Hiking Challenge!   

Of course, not everybody is looking for “easy” and “convenient.” Many hikers come to the Great North to find just the opposite! If you’re someone looking to get away from the desk, couch and screen, it’s time to stretch those legs and get outside for a true northern hiking experience that’s as challenging as it is rewarding.  

There are nine famed peaks in the Great North Woods, and we celebrate them with the 9er Hiking Challenge to see who is courageous enough to climb them all. It’s a great way to put your legs, lungs and fitness to the test, but it’s not all about the exercise. Climbing the nine peaks gives you the unique opportunity to experience nature one-on-one with breathtaking views, elusive wildlife and all the fresh air you can breathe. 

As if hiking across the woods of Vermont and New Hampshire isn’t rewarding enough, those who bag all nine peaks  will receive a patch to commemorate their experience and will have their name posted on our website. Visit the Go North 9er Hiking Challenge page to sign up and learn more. 

Private Camping in the Great Northern Wilderness: 

Is there anything better than spending the night under the stars in the Great North? Summer camping in the warm, clear air is the ultimate way to escape the pitfalls of everyday life and recharge your batteries. What’s not always fun, though, is cramming all your gear into the car and then having to worry about setting up and tearing down. Camping should be about relaxing, not stressing over details, or making extra work for yourself. 

Just because you want to “rough it” in the wilderness doesn’t mean you need to give up your comfort or much-needed R&R time. Bear Rock Camping makes it easier than ever to immerse yourself in nature with four Tentrr sites located on top of a mountain. Not only is there no setup involved, but you’re also provided with a queen-size bed, wood-burning stove and private heated shower. All you need to do is show up, kick back and enjoy the seclusion of the wilderness.  

 There are plenty of other campsites across Vermont and New Hampshire, too. The Buck Rub in Pittsburgh, NH offers cabins, a campground and even efficiency motel rooms right here in Pittsburg, NH With a lodge and pub, it’s the perfect base camp for all your outdoor adventures. 

When it comes down to it, camping in the Great North Woods can be as easy as making a reservation. Because it is such a popular spot, it’s best to book ahead. So, pick a date, find the ideal camping spot for you and your friends or family, and look forward to spending hot summer days and cool nights by the fire up here, miles away from the “real world.” 

There is also lots of great camping in our many state parks like Dixville Notch State Park and Lake Francis State Park.

The Best Fly Fishing In New England 

No summer vacation to the Great North Woods is complete without casting a line into the pristine waters of the Connecticut Lakes. The warm sun, cool waters and peaceful natural surroundings are enough to make anyone want to stay up here forever, even if they don’t catch a thing! 

Fortunately, the Connecticut River is uniquely cold even on hot summer days and offers some of the finest fly fishing you’ll find anywhere in all New EnglandIt’s a living paradise for everybody from the novice to the experienced angler. And with a wide variety of freshwater fish, including trout, salmon, bass, perch, walleye and catfish, you could spend each day catching something different – and having something new to eat every night 

Our friends at Lopstick are your go-to outfitters for any summer fishing getaway. With a fleet of motorboats, kayaks, canoes and rowboats at your disposal, you’re free to fish anywhere in First Connecticut Lake, Perry Stream, Back Lake and the Connecticut River. They also offer lakeside cabins so you can get the most out of your time up here, even if that just means taking a few steps out the door, dropping a line and soaking your feet all day long. 

Not sure where to start? Lopstick is an Orvis-endorsed outfitter and can set you up with their experienced fly fishing guides to show you the best spots, from wading to drifting, and help you to improve your technique, too. No matter how long your stay, you’ll never run out of options for world-class fishing when you come to the Great North Woods! 

Northern New Hampshire & Vermont: A Paradise for ATV Exploration 

The sprawling Great North covers hundreds of thousands of acres of pristine wilderness. The roaring rivers, majestic mountains and thick forests are enough to make you wish you could see it all. Now you can, with the ATV of your choice! 

With over a thousand miles of trails — known as “The Wilds” — crisscrossing all over northern New Hampshire and Vermont, ATVs are arguably one of the best ways to experience this part of the country. It’s so easy to hop into either your own off-road vehicle or an ATV rental from Bear Rock Adventures, Lopstick, or MOMS North Country Powersports and disappear into the wilderness. The places you can get to will take your breath away! 

ATVs offer the luxury of bringing the remote beauty of nature within reach. Imagine loading up the whole family and finding a secluded spot or a scenic vista to enjoy a picnic in the sun, miles away from everything. Or you could plan a fishing expedition and take your ATV to find a secret stream where you can enjoy peace and solitude all day long. Hikers even use ATVs so they can get off the beaten path, driving to remote trailheads or right up to the base of a mountain.  

Because of its unmatched convenience and capability, ATVing is one of our favorite ways to live free in the Great North Woods.  

Dining, Lodging and More 

Even though the North Country is full of opportunities to get away from it all, but there are also lots of places to find comfortable accommodations and get the local flavor. Northern New Hampshire and Vermont offer a bevy of lodges, cabins, hotels and motels that make your visit easy and stress-free.  

Need to unplug? Escape to Jackson’s historic 1920s lodge and lakeside log cabins in scenic Vermont on international Lake Wallace. Want to play round of golf? Colebrook Country Club & Motel offers a beautiful nine-hole course. Looking for breathtaking views? BuckValley in Errol, NH is an extraordinary home offering dramatic sunrises and inspiring lake vistas. More local options can be explored on MyGoNorth.com with detailed information about the lake and trailside restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. 

There are so many ways to enjoy the summer up here, these are just a few of the options that are available to you. Be sure to check out this page for even more summer activities and events. Whether you’re looking to lose yourself in the wilderness or just get a change of scenery without the hassles, the North Country has something for everyone. We hope to see you up here soon! 

GO NORTH GUIDE

This 32 page guide to our neck of the woods will help you find our local merchants, outdoor adventures and tourist events you won’t want to miss!

View The GUIDE