Just east of the Champlain Valley, where the farmland begins to climb toward the higher elevations of the Green Mountains, the town of Lincoln feels like a step deeper into Vermont’s quieter landscape.
Visitors often reach Lincoln by crossing Lincoln Gap from nearby Bristol. The road winds through forest and climbs steeply before descending into a valley where farms, mountain streams, and wooded hills define the view.
Lincoln isn’t a tourist town. It’s a working mountain community, and that authenticity is part of the appeal.
Quick Facts: Lincoln, Vermont
Population: ~1,300
County: Addison County
Region: Green Mountains
Best For: quiet mountain scenery, scenic drives, access to hiking trails
A Small Town in the Green Mountains
Lincoln sits along the western slopes of the Green Mountains, surrounded by forested ridgelines and small agricultural valleys. The town center is modest — a few buildings, a church, local gathering spaces — but the surrounding landscape is expansive.
Many visitors pass through Lincoln on their way across Lincoln Gap, but slowing down here reveals a different side of Vermont: quieter roads, family farms, and mountain views that stretch in every direction.
The town’s rural character has changed little over the decades. Much of the surrounding land remains forest or working farmland, giving the area an open, peaceful feel.
Outdoor Access and Mountain Landscape
Lincoln’s location makes it a natural starting point for exploring the surrounding mountains.
Nearby trailheads provide access to hiking routes that climb into the Green Mountain ridgeline. In warmer months, visitors find swimming holes and mountain streams tucked along the back roads that weave through the valley.
Because Lincoln sits slightly off the main tourist routes, the trails and natural areas nearby tend to remain quieter than those closer to larger towns.
For travelers looking for a more relaxed outdoor experience, that’s often exactly the point.
Lincoln Gap and Scenic Drives
One of the most memorable drives in Vermont begins just outside town.
The climb up Lincoln Gap leads travelers through dense forest and steep mountain turns before reaching one of the highest paved passes in the state. From the summit, hiking trails connect to the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail along the Green Mountain ridgeline.
For many visitors, Lincoln becomes the quiet gateway between the Champlain Valley and Vermont’s higher mountain terrain.
Visit our Lincoln Gap Scenic Drive Guide
How Lincoln Fits Into an Addison County Visit
Lincoln pairs naturally with several nearby destinations.
Travelers often combine a visit here with:
• Bristol – a lively village at the edge of the mountains
• Middlebury – a classic Vermont college town
• Vergennes – Vermont’s smallest city near Lake Champlain
Together these towns offer a fuller picture of Addison County — from farmland to lake shore to mountain valleys.
Explore our Addison County Travel Guide
Why Lincoln Matters
Many visitors come to Vermont expecting mountain landscapes but spend most of their time in valley towns or resort areas.
Lincoln offers something different.
It’s a place where the mountains feel close, the roads are quiet, and the pace remains unhurried. The town sits comfortably between Vermont’s agricultural valleys and its forested highlands, making it a natural stop for travelers exploring both.
Sometimes the most memorable places in Vermont aren’t the busiest ones — they’re the small towns that simply exist as they always have.
Lincoln is one of those places.
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