[2] The town is home to the New Hampshire Highland Games and to a portion of Franconia Notch State Park.

Lincoln is the location of Loon Mountain Ski Resort and associated recreation-centered development.

The primary settlement in town, where 969 people resided at the 2020 census, is defined as the Lincoln census-designated place (CDP) and is located along New Hampshire Route 112 east of Interstate 93.

In 1764, colonial Governor Benning Wentworth granted 32,456 acres (131.34 km2) to a group of approximately 70 land investors from Connecticut.

Rocky soil yielded poor farming, but the area's abundant timber, combined with water power to run sawmills on the Pemigewasset River and its East Branch, helped Lincoln develop into a center for logging.

The railroad transported freight, and increasingly brought tourists to the beautiful mountain region.

In 1892, James Everell Henry (1831–1912) bought approximately 100,000 acres (400 km2) of virgin timber and established a logging enterprise at what is today the center of Lincoln.

Until he died in 1912, Henry controlled his company town, installing relatives in positions of civic authority.

Nearby Loon Mountain has long drawn skiers, and in recent years has attempted to convert itself into a four-season attraction.

The highest point in Lincoln is the summit of Mount Bond at 4,698 ft (1,432 m) above sea level.