Waterville offers outdoor recreation and a few amenities
Waterville is a rural town about 40 miles outside of Burlington. “Its name is fitting, because there are a lot of rivers and water,” says Amanda Headley, a Realtor with Ridgeline Real Estate, who has lived in the region for more than 6 years. “It’s an outdoor lover's paradise. There’s hiking, hunting and skiing in the area.”
State Route 109 runs through the valley at its center, passing covered bridges and maple farms. Waterville has a few amenities, including an elementary school, a market and a library. For other needs, residents drive to Jeffersonville or other nearby towns.
Year-round outdoor activities
The Lamoille River and the North Branch Lamoille River provide opportunities for recreation, including trout fishing and whitewater kayaking. In summer, some residents cool off at the swimming hole along Codding Hollow Road. Farther along Codding Hollow Road, there are trails leading into Long Trail State Forest, where locals can hike and hunt.
During the winter, snowshoeing and skiing are popular. The closest ski slopes are at Smugglers’ Notch Resort, less than 15 miles south. “Some Vermonters go to Stowe, but it’s expensive and high end,” Headley says. “Smugglers’ Notch is more of a family place.”
Housing options in Waterville
Housing consists of a mix of early 1900s farmhouses, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes. Aluminum roofs are a common feature, as they tend to shed snow effectively. Some properties near the town’s center are half an acre or less, but it’s not uncommon to find a house with 5 acres or more of land. Owners maintain their own septic systems.
Houses rarely go on the market in Waterville. “The people who live there like it and don’t want to move,” Headley says. In 2024, one home sold for around $460,000. The community's CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Waterville Elementary and Lamoille Union schools
Children may begin their learning at Waterville Elementary School, which earns a C-minus on Niche. Lamoille Union Middle School rates a C, and Lamoille Union High School gets a C-minus. Students at LUHS have the opportunity to take dual enrollment or early college classes through state schools, including the Community College of Vermont.
High schoolers can also enroll in programs through the Green Mountain Technology & Career Center, which is connected to the middle and high school by a breezeway. GMTCC students participate in real-world job experiences, such as cooking in a commercial kitchen or helping build a home from the ground up.
An in-town market and restaurants in Jeffersonville
The town is home to an antique store and the Waterville Market, which stocks milk, some prepared foods and a few dry goods. The closest full-service grocery store is the Hannaford in Morristown, about 15 miles southeast. “Most people work outside the town, so it’s not a big deal to stop on their way home,” Headley says.
There are a handful of locally owned restaurants in Jeffersonville, about five miles south. The Family Table serves steaks, seafood and wood-fired pizzas. For takeout, locals often stop by the Burger Barn, a small wooden trailer with an extensive selection of specialty burgers. Right across from it is the Smugglers’ Notch Distillery, which offers tastings of its various spirits.
Car travel and nearby services
Waterville residents depend on cars for travel, and the two-lane state Route 109 is the main thoroughfare. The Copley Hospital, in Morristown, is about 15 miles away, and Burlington International Airport is less than 35 miles southwest.
Preparing for inclement weather
In winter, the region tends to get heavy snowfall and ice storms, which can lead to downed trees and power outages. Many residents have backup generators. Waterville is also prone to flooding, particularly during the spring snowmelt or after heavy rains. Lenders may require flood insurance for homes or properties within designated flood zones.
