Green Mountain National Forest Lincoln Gap Road
Vermont's steepest public road at 24% grade
Lincoln Gap Road earns its reputation as Vermont’s most challenging public mountain road, climbing from Route 100 in Warren to Route 17 in Lincoln with gradients that’ll test your transmission and your nerve. The eastern approach hits a brutal 24% grade — the steepest public road grade in Vermont — as it claws up through hardwood forest to the 2,424-foot summit. Stone walls and old cellar holes mark abandoned hill farms, reminders of when Vermonters farmed these impossible slopes before heading west.
This is a moderate technical challenge requiring good brakes, low gearing, and patience. Stock vehicles with manual transmissions handle it better than automatics, though modern 4WDs with hill descent control make the descent manageable. The road’s typically passable May through October, but check conditions — frost heaves and washouts are common. What you get is bragging rights and some of the finest mountain views in Vermont, plus access to excellent dispersed camping in the national forest.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 7 mi / 11.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2424 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Warren, Vermont |
| Land manager | Green Mountain National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Lincoln Gap Road, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance vehicle handles it fine under normal conditions. The surface is gravel and the challenge is the 24% grade, not rocks — you need good brakes, low range, and engine braking on the descent more than lift or armor.
When does Lincoln Gap Road actually open and close each year?
The road is gated closed in winter and typically opens late May after mud season, closing again around November. Exact dates shift year to year based on conditions — check with Green Mountain National Forest before heading up in shoulder seasons.
Do I need a permit or pay any fee to drive Lincoln Gap Road?
No permit, no fee. It's a public road through Green Mountain National Forest and open to anyone during its operating season.
How bad is the 24% grade section and what should I actually expect?
The steepest pitch is roughly 3 miles of sustained climb on the Bristol side — it's relentless, narrow, and has little margin for error when meeting oncoming traffic. Keep your rig in low range going down; brake fade is a real concern if you ride the pedal.
Is there dispersed camping along Lincoln Gap Road and how close is the nearest gas?
Dispersed camping is allowed within Green Mountain National Forest along the corridor — no designated sites, just pull-offs in the trees. Warren and Bristol are your closest fuel stops, both about 5-8 miles out, so top off before you head up.
Trail track
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