Lincoln, Maine: Hub of the 13-Lake Lincoln Lakes Region

Set along the Penobscot River in a countryside sparkling with lakes, the town of Lincoln is the heart of one of Maine’s great lake districts. Known for its thirteen lakes, its long papermaking history, and its wide-open outdoors, Lincoln is a four-season basecamp in the region known as the Maine Highlands — a gateway to the North Woods and the Katahdin country beyond. Here is a closer look at Lincoln, Maine.

The Lincoln Lakes Region

Lincoln sits in northern Penobscot County, on the Penobscot River, and it serves as the hub of the Lincoln Lakes Region, famous for its 13 scenic lakes and ponds. Home to about 4,853 residents (2020 census), the town was incorporated in 1829, when its name was changed from “Mattanawcook” in honor of Enoch Lincoln, Maine’s sixth governor. Water is everywhere here, and it has shaped the town’s life — for work, for play, and for the sheer beauty of the place.

A River, a Mill, and a New Chapter

For more than a century, Lincoln was a papermaking town. A pulp and paper mill rose on the Penobscot in 1882 and, through many owners and names, anchored the local economy for generations, best known in its final years as Lincoln Paper and Tissue. In 2015, after a boiler explosion, the mill closed for good, ending a long industrial era. Rather than give up, the community bought the mill site, dam, and surrounding land and began redeveloping it as the Lincoln Technology Park — a hopeful new chapter for a resilient river town.

Mattanawcook Lake and Prince Thomas Park

Right in the heart of town lies Mattanawcook Lake, and on its shore the beloved Prince Thomas Park — a waterfront gathering place with a sandy swimming beach, a boat launch, a playground, and ball courts. All summer long it hosts community events and gives residents and visitors an easy, welcoming way to enjoy the water. It is the perfect first stop for anyone getting to know Lincoln.

Out on the Water

With thirteen lakes at its doorstep, Lincoln is a paradise for anglers and boaters. The waters here are known for bass, salmon, and togue (lake trout), and the lakes and river offer endless room for canoeing, kayaking, motorboating, and swimming. Keep an eye out for the loons, eagles, and moose that share this country. Camps and cottages dot the shorelines, carrying on a Maine tradition of summers spent on the lake.

Golf, Trails, and Winter Fun

Lincoln plays year-round. Golfers enjoy JaTo Highlands Golf Course, an 18-hole layout opened in 1999 with elevated fairways and stunning views of Mount Katahdin. Walkers and cyclists follow the town’s scenic trails, and when the snow flies, the Lincoln Snowhounds Snowmobile Club maintains more than 50 miles of trails through the winter woods. Add ice fishing and cross-country skiing, and Lincoln truly is a four-season destination.

Community and Homecoming

Small-town spirit runs deep in Lincoln. Each July the town throws its big Homecoming celebration — a lively few days of a parade, fireworks, downtown vendors, and the traditional River Drivers Bean Supper at Ludden Field on the bank of the Penobscot. The Lincoln Historical Society preserves the story of the town and its mills, and the Lincoln Memorial Library serves as a hub of community life all year.

Exploring the Area

Lincoln is a natural gateway to the Maine Highlands and the Katahdin region to the north, with Baxter State Park and the great North Woods within reach. Just up the Penobscot lies neighboring Mattawamkeag, while to the south sits the city of Bangor. Travelers crossing the state toward the Kennebec Valley will find a kindred river community in our own town of Winslow, where the colonial-era Fort Halifax guards another of Maine’s great rivers.

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