Great North Woods has beautiful countryside for cross country skiing

Connecticut Lakes State Forest

Route 3 Pittsburg, NH Phone: 603-538-6965

Visitors will enjoy fishing, hunting, boating, paddling, and hiking. In the winter, there are cross-country ski trails available. This state forest includes the Deer Mountain Campground operated by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and REcreation. Deer Mountain Campground is just five minutes south of the Canadian border and 13 miles from Lake Francis. It is adjacent to the stretch of Route 3 north of Pittsburg, referred to as Moose Alley, which makes it a prime location for moose viewing. The 25-site primitive campground includes 22 sites available by reservation only, and three for first-come/first-served campers. Each site has a fireplace, picnic table, flat area for a tent, and a parking space. The campground is open for reservable stays from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend. First-come/first-served camping with limited facilities is available starting in mid-May, 2009, weather permitting. Information: www.nhdfl.org or www.nhstateparks.org/

Moose Brook State Park

Off U.S. Route 2 Gorham, NH Phone: 603-466-3860

Popular with fisherman because of its numerous ponds and streams, this park also offers hiking trails, mountain climbing in the Crescent Mountain range, mountain bike trails and lake swimming. Cross-country ski trails are open in the winter. There is a public campsite available.

Nansen Ski Club at Milan Hill State Park

427 Milan Hill Road Milan, NH

Established in 1872, this non-profit ski club is one of the first organized ski clubs in America. The Nansen Ski Club is dedicated to providing a healthy outdoor experience for children, youth, and adults, are always welcome. The trail network is open to skiing and snowshoeing. The trail system at Milan Hill is best described as a challenging ski with high quality, limited quantity (8.5 km). Animals are welcome but must be leashed and under control. All waste must be cleaned from the trails as required by State Park Rules. The park is open to all allowable uses. E-mail: info@skinansen.com

Nash Stream

Off Route 110 to Emerson Road to nash Stream Road Odell, NH Phone: 603-788-4157

More than just one stream, this is actually 40,000 acres of undeveloped land. It's available for public use for hiking, fishing, paddling, hunting, snowmobiling, ATV riding, and cross-country skiing. Camping is not permitted. Information: www.nhdfl.org.