Mountain Top is a beautiful bucolic area, home to family-friendly neighborhoods with ample outdoor recreation nearby. Located in the western Pocono Mountains and nestled between Wilkes-Barre to the north and Hazleton to the south, and the Lehigh and Susquehanna Rivers, its home to Hickory Run State Park and Pinchot State Forest.
A Glimpse of Mountain Top
This Luzerne County community offers plenty of fresh air to breath as home to some of NEPA’s most pristine natural environments. Nescopeck State Park, situated around Nescopeck Creek, is an angler and hiker’s dream. Spaning over 15,000+ acres, Hickory Run State Park offers 40 miles of hiking trails and is home to Boulder Field.
Pinchot State Forest offers access to the Black Diamond Trailhead, a popular location for easy hiking and biking, while the Francis E. Walter Dam is a stunning reservoir ideal for kayaking, fishing and hiking. Or, hop on the Lehigh Gorge Trail, a 26-mile rail trail that stretches from White Haven to Jim Thorpe.
Mountain Top is home to some incredible restaurants, from award-winning causal fine dining at Powerhouse Eatery to wings and scratch-made comfort foods at Ice House Pub to the delicious wood-fired brick oven pizza and expansive outdoor dining patio at King’s.
And a trip to the region wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Malacari’s Ice Cream & Mini Golf for a friendly game of putt-putt and some of the best ice cream around.
Known For:
Peaceful, safe towns
Quick, convenient access to major highways
Hickory Run State Park
Nescopeck State Park
Pinchot State Forest
Malacari’s Ice Cream & Mini Golf
Powerhouse Eatery
BY THE NUMBERS:
Estimated Population: 30,319
Geographical Area: 107 Sq. Miles
Regional Makeup: This region includes the community of Mountain Top; the townships of Dennison, Dorrance, Fairview, Foster, Rice, Slocum, and Wright; and the boroughs of Nuangola, Penn Lake, and White Haven
Community Spotlight: Education
The Mountain Top area is served by the Crestwood School District, which includes Crestwood High School, Fairview Elementary School, and Rice Elementary School. Known for its strong academics, athletics, and community involvement, the district plays a central role in the region. Families can also choose private and parochial education at St. Jude’s Catholic School (K-8), providing additional opportunities for a well-rounded learning experience close to home.
The Greater Mountain Top Area also enjoys a relatively close proximity to all of NEPA’s colleges and universities. Local students make easy work of commutes to nearby King’s College, Wilkes University, Misericordia University and Luzerne County Community College to name a few.
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Mountain Top is a quiet, residential community surrounded by natural beauty and family-friendly amenities. From the fairways at Blue Ridge Golf Club to family fun at Malacari Ice Cream & Mini Golf, plus a variety of Mountain Top restaurants, the community offers both recreation and dining close to home.
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Wright Township is a quiet, residential community in Mountain Top with a blend of suburban neighborhoods and rural charm. Families enjoy Wright Township Recreation Park, while outdoor lovers can explore the Black Diamond Trailhead along the D&L Trail within the Pinchot State Forest and the Big Wapwallopen Creek Trail.
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White Haven is a small, close-knit community along the Lehigh River, surrounded by some of the Poconos’ most popular outdoor destinations. Residents and visitors enjoy year-round recreation at Hickory Run State Park, the Lehigh Gorge Trail, and the scenic Francis E. Walter Dam. In the winter months, Jack Frost Ski Resort offers skiing and snowboarding just a short drive away, making White Haven a hub for four-season adventure.
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Foster Township is a rural community in Luzerne County known for its quiet lifestyle and strong ties to Pennsylvania’s coal mining heritage. The township is home to Eckley Miners’ Village, a preserved 19th-century coal company town, as well as the George & Lillian Picton Wildlife Sanctuary, where residents and visitors can explore trails and natural habitats.
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A Peak Into Mountain Top
Beginning in the late 18th century, Mountain Top was largely a lumber town with the exception of White Haven, which was part of the coal region. Logging was one of the chief industries in the area that saw a number of sawmills erected, attracting early settlers to the area who hauled the lumber to Wilkes-Barre. The lumber mills provided the backbone for many of the area’s industry, including mines and railroads.
Did You Know?
The first iron grate to successfully burn anthracite coal in the Valley was created by Wilkes-Barre Judge Jesse Fell on February 11, 1808 in the borough of White Haven. His invention increased the popularity of anthracite as a fuel source and led to the expansion of the coal industry in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
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