Affectionately nicknamed for its location behind the mountain ridge forming the northwest side of the Wyoming Valley just outside of Wilkes-Barre, the Back Mountain’s ten communities are a mix of rural and suburban settings with small-town charm. Home to stunning natural spaces and picturesque Harveys Lake, this vast Valley community offers room to breath, space to stretch out and lots of outdoor recreation.
A visit to the Back Mountain has to include a stop at The Lands at Hillside Farms for their farm-fresh ice cream, rich chocolate milk and the friendly cows and adorable farm animals.
The region is also home to two exceptional State Parks – Frances Slocum and Ricketts Glen. Stunning waterfalls, pristine lakes and over 40 miles of forested hiking trails are the perfect opportunity to explore nature in NEPA.
And you won’t need to go far for a delicious meal from one of the areas incredible restaurants, from Italian cuisine at Tomasino’s to Mexican at CK’s Cantina & Grill and pizza from local favorites like Bernie’s or Spare Time, to the remarkable fine dining at Fire and Ice and The Beaumont Inn. While you’re in town, grab a cold craft beer at Back Mountain Brewing Company after a game at Back Mountain Bowl.
The Luzerne County Fair takes place at the fairgrounds in Dallas each September while Brace’s Orchard is a popular spot for apple picking and fresh-pressed cider.
Known For:
Harveys Lake
Frances Slocum State Park
Ricketts Glen State Park
Original Grotto Pizza
The Lands at Hillside Farms
Abundant green space and outdoor recreation
BY THE NUMBERS:
Geographical Area:: 207 Sq. Miles
Estimated Population: 37,433
Colleges & Universities: 2
School Districts: 3
Regional Makeup: The townships of Dallas, Fairmount, Franklin, Jackson, Kingston, Lake, Lehman and Ross; the boroughs of Dallas and Harveys Lake; the communities of Shavertown, Sweet Valley and Trucksville
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A Peak Into the Back Mountain’s Past
Like its nearby neighbors in Greater Pittston, Kingston Township was one of the original townships formed by the Susquehanna Land Company of Connecticut in 1790. The township is named after Kingston, Rhode Island, and was originally called “Kingstown.”
During the time of the Revolutionary War, a local settler named Benjamin Harvey, a member of the Sons of Liberty, discovered Pennsylvania’s largest natural lake (by volume) in 1781. During its most prosperous days in the early 20th century, Harveys Lake was a popular destination with hotels, boathouses, a casino and an amusement park. President Theodore Roosevelt even visited Grand Hotel Oneonta at the lake in August 1912.
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 11th Vice President of the United States under President James Polk.
