East Penn is a quiet township with an emphasis on outdoor recreation
East Penn is a rural township in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Blue Mountain rises along its southern edge, providing a scenic backdrop for its winding roads and attracting hikers on the Appalachian Trail. East Penn also offers opportunities for kayaking and fishing on the Lehigh River, which winds along its eastern border and past the Poconos. “East Penn is definitely a good community for people who are into that outdoorsy stuff,” says Jayleen Solt, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and co-owner of 4 U Custom Homes. “The township itself is pretty rural. There are a lot of farms, and the typical lot size for a lot of people is at least an acre.” Although nature lovers enjoy a slower pace of life in East Penn, they have access to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and are near bigger cities in the Lehigh Valley. “The big highlight is that it’s a good commuter location,” Solt says.
Nestled in the mountains, East Penn is a rural Pennsylvanian Township.
Locals head to Mauch Chunk Lake Park to try their hand at some fishing.
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Access to the Appalachian Trail, the Lehigh River and the Poconos
East Penn’s rural setting provides ample opportunity for residents to get outside and enjoy nature. “There are a ton of hiking trails and a lot of areas you can take ATVs and dirt bikes,” Solt says. The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is accessible via several trailheads. The entire trail covers nearly 2,200 miles across 14 states, with a portion running through Blue Mountain on the town’s southern edge. This portion of the trail is a popular hiking spot known for its rocky terrain, scenic overlooks and birding sites like Bake Oven Knob. The A.T. also passes through State Game Land 217, where residents can hunt during established seasons. Other trails in East Penn include the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, also known as the D&L Trail. It runs parallel to the Lehigh River and offers a multi-use path for walking, running and biking.
Green spaces on the Lehigh River include Riverview Park, which has a boat launch for kayaking and whitewater rafting. It also features a playground, an 18-hole disc golf course and a seasonal campground. River Point Canine Park sits on the opposite side of the D&L Trail, offering a fenced-in area where pooches can play off-leash. Residents can also head east to the Poconos, a four-season destination for outdoor recreation. “Whether you’re looking for skiing in the winter or hiking and river rafting in the summer, it’s all within 20 minutes of East Penn,” Solt says. Residents can ski at Blue Mountain Resort and swim at Beltsville State Park, both less than 15 miles from the township.
Hikers breathe the mountain air on the Appalachian Trail.
The D&L Trail is a 24.4 mile point-to-point trail in Jim Thorpe.
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Ranch-style homes and new construction with views of Blue Mountain
Homes here take advantage of their countryside setting and offer up to several acres of land. Architectural styles include everything from traditional bi-level and ranch-style homes to sprawling custom-built properties and contemporary estates. “A lot of the houses were built in the 1970s and ‘80s, but there are some pockets of new construction where a farmer parceled off their land,” Solt says. Many properties have private back patios or porches where residents can enjoy scenic mountain views.
Home prices typically range from $180,000 to $430,000, and properties sell after an average of just over two months on the market. East Penn is also home to Northside Heights, a mobile home park where manufactured homes sell for $90,000 to $190,000. In addition to its rural tranquility, the township’s overall CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score and significantly less than the national average of 4.
Manufactured and other style homes in East Penn often feature a front porch.
Bi-level homes often feature garages and spacious lawns.
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The Lehighton Area School District has a low student-teacher ratio
The township is served by the Lehighton Area School District, which earns an overall grade of B-minus from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 11-to-1. Lehighton Area Elementary Center and Lehighton Area Middle School both receive a C-plus, and Lehighton Area High School scores a B-minus. The high school partners with Lehigh Carbon Community College to offer a two-year program through which students can earn an associate degree alongside their high school diploma.
Lehighton Area High School teaches grades 9-12.
Join underneath Friday night lights at Lehighton Area High School for local football games.
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Events at Ashfield Playground and Ben Salem United Church of Christ
Community events are held at Ashfield Playground, a small green space tucked alongside the Lehigh River. Festivities include a youth fishing derby, which invites kids to line up along the riverfront and race to catch fish while competing for prizes in various categories. The East Penn Township Ashfield Playground Recreation Board also hosts an annual Easter egg hunt in the park.
Ben Salem United Church of Christ has been part of the township since the late 18th century, making it the oldest congregation in Carbon County. The church celebrates its anniversary each September with a fall festival and basket raffle, where prizes include handmade crafts, quilts and more. It also brings residents together for community dinners, bazaars and socials.
Ben Salem United Church of Christ has been standing since 1855.
Get involved with the community at the East Penn Sporting Club.
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Residents can head to nearby Lehighton for shopping and dining
The township’s only store is Dollar General. Residents typically shop and dine in nearby communities like Lehighton, about 5 miles away. “Lehighton has all of your big-box stores and fast-food restaurants,” Solt says. Locals can run errands at stores such as Lowe’s, Walmart, Giant and Aldi. For a quick bite to eat, options include McDonald’s, Starbucks and Burger King.
Local businesses are in downtown Lehighton, less than 10 miles from East Penn. The downtown dining scene there revolves around spots like Bonnie & Clyde Pub and Grill, an old-fashioned hangout with 1930s décor, elevated pub grub and craft beers. East Penn is also just north of the Lehigh Valley American Viticultural Area, and local wineries like Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellar, Cellar Beast Winehouse and Galen Glen Winery are within 15 miles of the township.
Residents leisurely stroll the streets of Lehighton with its many local shops.
A Walmart and other national retailers are within a ten minute drive of Lower Towamensing.
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The Pennsylvania Turnpike provides access to cities like Allentown
The nearest public transportation options are Carbon Transit bus stops in nearby Bowmanstown, so residents here typically rely on personal vehicles to get to where they’re going. Pennsylvania Route 895 is East Penn’s main thoroughfare. It connects with major highways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which passes through the township’s eastern half. Residents can take the turnpike south towards Allentown, about 25 miles away, and north towards Scranton, around 60 miles from East Penn. “You’ve also got super quick access down to Philadelphia and into New York. A lot of people live here and commute,” Solt says. Philadelphia is just over 80 miles away, and New York City is about 100 miles from East Penn. For flights, Lehigh Valley International Airport is about 25 miles away. The closest hospital is Lehigh Valley Hospital–Carbon, less than 5 miles from the township.
Route 895 runs through East Penn and connects to the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Nearby Lehighton is where East Penn locals venture for shops and food.
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Concerns over the use of biosolids on an East Penn farm
East Penn residents are petitioning against the use of biosolids, treated sewage sludge that farmers apply to the land as fertilizer, at the Never Done Farm, which covers 165 acres in the township’s eastern half. While Pennsylvania’s Right to Farm Act protects the use of biosolids as fertilizer, they can contain PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” and may have a noticeable smell during application.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
Photography Contributed By
Jacob McAllister
Video By
Grace Kim
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an experienced agent in this area.
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Welcome to this stunningly beautifully updated raised ranch embracing pastoral charm and endless opportunity. This home offers flexible living arrangements, ideal for anyone seeking a spacious single-family residence or an efficient duplex layout w/separate entrances. The heart of the home lies in the seamlessly connected main-level living room, dining area, and recently refreshed kitchen. Chic
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