Back Mountain

Living in the Back Mountain means enjoying quiet neighborhoods, strong schools, community parks and everyday conveniences that make life feel connected and easy. The region sits just a short drive from Wilkes-Barre, offering quick access to major employers, retail areas and regional amenities.

Stretching across wooded hills, farmland and lakeside communities, the Back Mountain includes Dallas Borough, Harveys Lake Borough and the townships of Dallas, Fairmount, Franklin, Jackson, Kingston, Lake, Lehman and Ross, along with Shavertown, Sweet Valley and Trucksville. Residents enjoy Harveys Lake, Frances Slocum State Park, The Lands at Hillside Farms and miles of wooded paths and multipurpose trails.

Recreation continues to grow with upgraded playgrounds, athletic facilities, trail access and opportunities for boating, paddling and lakeside activities.

Community Life & Local Connections

Community life in the Back Mountain centers on neighborhood events, youth sports, active nonprofits and four-season recreation at parks and local gathering spaces. The region is known for engaged residents, strong community programs and year-round local traditions. Annual events like the Luzerne County Fair bring neighbors together with rides, entertainment and family activities.

Local shops, cafés, bakeries, boutiques and farm markets add to the region’s strong small-business culture, offering everything from handcrafted goods to fresh local produce.

Whether planning a relaxing weekend, exploring things to do near Wilkes-Barre or simply discovering one of Luzerne County’s most welcoming regions, the Back Mountain offers memorable experiences in every season.

Settled in the late 1700s, the Back Mountain grew from rural farming communities into a lakeside and suburban region. Harveys Lake became a major resort destination in the early 1900s, complete with hotels, boathouses, an amusement park and visits from notable guests like President Theodore Roosevelt. Dallas Borough drew its name from Alexander J. Dallas, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under President James Madison and father of Vice President George M. Dallas.

Today, historical societies, markers and community organizations help preserve the area’s heritage.

Did You Know?

Dallas Borough, first settled in 1797, was named for Alexander J. Dallas, who was the 6th United States Secretary of the Treasury under President James Madison and the father of George M. Dallas, the 11^th Vice President of the United States under President James Polk.

Early villages like Trucksville and Shavertown played key roles in the development of Kingston Township and the region west of the Wyoming Valley.

Harveys Lake is the largest natural lake by volume in Pennsylvania.