Salisbury is a rural town with an emphasis on the great outdoors
As residents drive down U.S. Route 7 into the small town of Salisbury, they’ll pass by grazing animals and quaint farm stands set before the picturesque Green Mountains. “It’s a very pretty, rural town. There is an agricultural community there, and it also has a very popular recreation area,” says Nancy Foster, longtime resident of Addison County and the principal broker of Champlain Valley Properties. “The northern part of Lake Dunmore is in Salisbury, and Branbury State Park is a big part of the community. The town also has great access to the Green Mountains, where there are places to hike and ski.” While fishermen and boaters gather around Lake Dunmore, locals can head to the neighboring Green Mountain National Forest year-round and hike, mountain bike or cross-country ski along its extensive trail system.
In addition to its scenic vistas and recreational attractions, Salisbury is centrally located about 10 miles south of Middlebury. “A lot of people who live there work in the Middlebury area. It’s kind of a bedroom community, but it’s a nice place to live,” Foster says. Salisbury’s overall CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score and significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Water recreation on Lake Dunmore and skiing in the Green Mountains
Lake Dunmore stretches into Salisbury’s southeastern corner and is a popular destination for water activities. While most of its western shore is privately owned, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains a public boat launch on West Shore Road. It also has a fishing dock where anglers frequently reel in bass, northern pike and the occasional landlocked Atlantic salmon. In the summer, the lake bustles with activity as kids attend camp at Songadeewin and Keewaydin Dunmore. “You’ll see all their canoes out on Lake Dunmore, and you know the summer kids are there,” Foster says. On Lake Dunmore’s east side, Branbury State Park is open from May through October. It has a sandy beachfront where locals can sunbathe or swim in the lake. For those looking to get out on the water, the state park offers canoe, kayak and pedal boat rentals.
Branbury State Park sits at the base of Mt. Moosalamoo, part of the nearly 16,000-acre Moosalamoo National Recreation Area (NRA) in the Green Mountain National Forest. The Moosalamoo NRA has more than 70 miles of hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing trails for residents to explore year-round. During Vermont’s snowy winters, spots like the Middlebury Snowbowl are destinations for downhill skiing. The East Coast’s biggest ski area, Killington Mountain Resort, is less than 40 miles from Salisbury.
A small town offering country and lakefront living with mountain views
The town has a mix of raised ranch, Cape Cod and farmhouse-style homes with panoramic views of the countryside and the distant Green Mountains. Most properties sit on wooded lots with several acres of land, and some offer detached barns with room for a small homestead. Around Maple Street, the Salisbury Village Historic District includes 19th-century Colonial Revivals with clapboard siding. It's also home to the historic Salisbury Free Public Library and the Salisbury Congregational Church, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places as examples of Greek Revival architecture.
Salisbury residents can also live on Lake Dunmore, where New England-style cottages and bungalows offer private docks and deeded waterfront access. While year-round residents live on the lake, it's also a popular spot for seasonal residents who own vacation homes or stay at campsites like Kampersville or Waterhouses Campground. “Over the past 20 years, a lot of those seasonal cottages have become year-round residences. I’m always amazed at how many people who went to camp there during their youth want to come back and retire in the area,” Foster says.
Low inventory means that homes rarely go on the market in Salisbury. Only 10 homes sold in 2024, with prices ranging from $250,000 for a two-bedroom cottage to $1 million for a four-bedroom lakefront home. Properties have an average estimated value of just over $500,000, and there is some new construction being built to accommodate increasing demand.
Living in the Addison Central School District, near Middlebury College
Salisbury is part of the Addison Central School District. Kids can attend Salisbury Community School, which earns a C-plus from Niche, before moving on to the B-minus-rated Middlebury Union Middle School. Middlebury Union High School scores a B-plus, and its early college program allows seniors to simultaneously complete their last year of high school and their freshman year of college. The program is tuition-free and operates in partnership with the Community College of Vermont, Castleton University, Johnson State College, Lyndon State College and Burlington Vermont Community College. Higher education in Addison County revolves around Middlebury College, a private liberal arts college less than 10 miles from Salisbury.
Salisbury is an agricultural community with local farm stands
Working farms contribute to the town’s rural atmosphere. Salisbury has a long history of dairy production, and generational farms like the Goodrich Family Farm continue to operate today. The town also has several farm stands where residents can buy farm-fresh products. Maple Meadow Farm sells 100% pure Vermont maple syrup, while Blue Ledge Farm is known for its fresh goat cheese. The Salisbury Fish Culture Station has been part of the community since 1931, and as Vermont’s only broodstock station, it produces around five million trout eggs each year.
Shopping and dining around Lake Dunmore and downtown Middlebury
A few businesses along Lake Dunmore Road cater to seasonal residents. The Kampersville General Store sells grocery essentials and souvenirs, while the Kampersville Deli & Ice Cream Parlor is a popular spot to grab a bite after a day on the beach. Over on the lakefront, Paddlers Pub is open year-round. The Adirondack-style restaurant serves American classics, and its spacious patio boasts panoramic views of Lake Dunmore and the Green Mountains.
Year-round residents typically head 10 miles north to Middlebury for shopping, dining and entertainment. It features a walkable downtown area with local boutiques, bakeries and restaurants. Standouts include Vermont’s Own Gifts & Goods and the Vermont Book Shop, a staple in the community since 1949. The dining scene ranges from casual spots like Haymaker Bun Company to upscale eateries such as Fire & Ice, a rustic steak house highlighting farm-to-table ingredients. The town also has several grocery stores, including Hannaford and Middlebury Natural Foods Co-Op. The Marquis Theatre & Café is another local favorite, showing movies, concerts and more.
Access to U.S. Route 7, Burlington and Amtrak’s Middlebury Station
Residents have access to U.S. Route 7, which passes through the middle of Salisbury and is a major north-south corridor in Western Vermont. The highway offers a direct route to cities like Burlington, about 45 miles north of town. Residents are also around 45 miles from Burlington International Airport. Public transportation includes Amtrak’s Middlebury Station, around 10 miles from Salisbury. It’s part of the Ethan Allen Express line, which offers daily train service between New York City and Burlington, with several stops along the way. Residents are also about 25 miles from Rutland Regional Medical Center, the region’s largest employer and Vermont’s biggest community hospital.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
