Rural charm meets outdoor adventure in Franklin Township
Resting in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, Franklin Township in Carbon County blends the slow pace of a rural community with the adventure and scenery of a mountain town. “Franklin Township is special because most of the land is zoned agricultural, which gives homeowners the ability to raise animals and livestock,” says Aggie Schoenberger, a lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley and the owner of Castle Gate Realty. She adds that Franklin Township is home to part of Beltzville State Park, which attracts those who love the outdoors. “Betlzville State Park has beaches, boating and water skiing, and it’s open year-round,” Schoenberger says. Along with the state park, residents are near a hospital and the highway. While no major retailers are in the township, restaurants, shops and a popular music venue are within driving distance.
Phifer's Ice Dam Park is a sprawling 14 acre green space.
Fishing the canal is a popular activity at Lehigh Canal Park.
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A variety of homes with views of farms, forests and mountains
Single-family homes in Franklin Township rest along country roads that climb the community’s hilly terrain. Some properties have views of farms or mountains, while others are hidden by dense tree cover. Architecture is diverse, with Victorian homes sitting close together on small blocks near Weissport and ranch-style homes, farmhouses and Colonial Revivals spread out on larger lots to the north and east. Custom designs can be found throughout the township. The median price for a single-family home is around $285,000, well below the national figure. Prices start at around $150,000 and can top $550,000.
Connecting with nature in the foothills of the Poconos
From green spaces in town to nearby state parks, game lands and ski resorts, the Pocono Mountains region offers plenty of activities. Partially within Franklin Township, Beltzville State Park offers more than 3,000 acres to explore. Its namesake lake features a sandy beach for sunbathing and swimming. Residents can rent boats or hire a fishing charter to try to reel in bass and trout. Mountain biking, hiking and birdwatching are popular in the warmer months, while ice fishing and cross-country skiing are common activities in the winter. The Lehigh River is a destination for whitewater rafting. The D&L Trail, which has an access point at Lehigh Canal Park in neighboring Weissport, runs along the banks, offering scenic views for hikers and cyclists. Several parks within the township offer baseball fields, including Phifer’s Ice Dam Park, where youth recreation leagues play. Families often reserve the park’s pavilions for birthday parties and reunions. There are a few places for indoor recreation in Franklin Township, including LaRose’s Skating Rink and Archery Addictions, an archery range.
Ride your bike along the canal at Lehigh Canal Park.
Launch your boat for a day of fun on Beltzville Lake, just a short drive from Lower Towamensing.
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Shopping and dining options in and around Franklin Township
A few small businesses, services and taverns dot Franklin Township, but residents typically shop and dine in nearby communities. National retailers like Walmart Supercenter and two grocery chains are less than 6 miles away in Mahoning Township. Weissport has local restaurants like Central Lunch, a no-frills cash-only spot for American diner classics like pancakes and omelets, and the Gorge Eatery, which serves an eclectic menu in its elevated dining space near the Lehigh River. Neighboring Towamensing is home to Country Junction, which markets itself as the world’s largest general store. Along with typical general store goods, Country Junction features a hardware store, a pet store and a furniture store as well as family-friendly activities such as a petting zoo and an arcade.
Within the township, locally grown produce and pasture-raised meats draw shoppers to Spring Mountain Farms, which operates a farm stand throughout the summer and a pick-your-own orchard from July through December. Residents don’t have to drive out of town for medical care. St. Luke's Hospital - Carbon Campus, an acute-care hospital with an emergency room, onsite critical care and surgical facilities, is along North Harrity Road, near Interstate 476.
A Walmart and other national retailers are within a ten minute drive of Lower Towamensing.
The Carbon Plaza Mall is a few miles away, offering a variety of additional shopping options.
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Mountaintop concerts and events at Penn’s Peak
Franklin Township puts music lovers less than 10 miles from Penn’s Peak, a rustic-yet-contemporary music hall perched at the top of Bear Mountain. About 1,800 people can enjoy a performance at Penn’s Peak, which offers views of Beltzville Lake below. Along with national touring acts and tribute bands, the venue hosts weddings and private events.
Students can attend public schools in Lehighton
The Lehighton Area School District serves six communities, including Franklin Township. The district earns a B-minus overall rating from Niche and has about 2,400 students learning across three schools and a virtual academy. Lehighton Area Elementary Center receives a C-plus rating and is home to the district’s free Pre-K Counts Kindergarten Preparation program, which uses hands-on learning to help prepare students for kindergarten. Lehighton Area Middle gets a C-plus, while Lehighton Area High earns a B-minus.
Lehighton Area High School is ranked #264 among best high schools in PA, according to Niche.com.
Lehighton Area High School teaches 603 students.
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Commuters have close access to the Mahoning Valley Interchange
Two highways meet in Franklin Township, U.S. Route 209 and Interstate 476. Commuters often use this intersection, known as the Mahoning Valley Interchange, to reach nearby cities like Allentown, which is less than 30 miles away. Lehigh Valley International Airport is about a 30-mile drive, and Philadelphia is around a 75-mile drive.
A low risk of wildfire, riverine flooding and crime
While FEMA’s National Risk Index indicates that Carbon County has a very low risk of wildfire, about 600 acres burned in a wildfire in October 2024 during a record-setting period of dry weather. Some of that scorched land was in Franklin Township, which has a burning ordinance to help prevent wildfires during particularly dry periods. The county also has a relatively low risk of riverine flooding. However, FEMA flood maps show some properties in Franklin Township rest along regulatory floodways. Franklin Township has a relatively low risk of crime. According to the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System, the Franklin Township Police Department reported five incidents of violent crime in 2023 and six incidents in 2024. The department reported 45 incidents of property crime in 2023 and 48 the following year.
Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
Jay Ratchford
Video By
Chris Norton
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$50K PRICE REDUCTION! Don't miss this opportunity! Endless possibilities and uncapped potential in this 6 bedroom/ 5 bathroom European Manor style home on 2.57 acres with oversized 2 car built-in garage in Franklin Township! This wonderful home showcases an impressive grand living area complete with striking wood burning fireplace, stunning hardwood floors, & French doors leading to the sprawling
Spacious contemporary chalet situated on over an acre at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac street. Many unique features including a modern custom kitchen with desk and built-in breakfast nook. Living room is huge with impressive 25 foot cathedral ceiling and brick pad with pellet stove. Sunken hot tub in sunroom that leads to expansive decking and in-ground swimming pool. Primary bedroom suite on
Rare opportunity to own a flat, cleared lot in Lehighton with public water and public sewer! This lot previously hosted a mobile home, so some groundwork is already laid. Put another mobile home or build your dream home. Bring your vision to life on this affordable, buildable lot with utility access and convenient location! You'll be just minutes from the PA Turnpike and other main roads for easy
Rare opportunity to own a flat, cleared lot in Lehighton with public water and public sewer! This lot previously hosted a mobile home, so some groundwork is already laid. Put another mobile home or build your dream home. Bring your vision to life on this affordable, buildable lot with utility access and convenient location! You'll be just minutes from the PA Turnpike and other main roads for easy
RURAL COUNTRY SETTING! Wooded building lot located on Airport Road in Mahoning Township, Lehighton. The property features an approved perc test and completed survey, offering a solid starting point for future development. An easement runs through the lot providing access to the rear parcel currently for sale. Conveniently situated next to the airport and a short drive to Lehighton High School,
Chad FritzingerKoehler-Marvin Realty Brokerage, LLC
15-Acre PA. Farmhouse Retreat with Historic Charm & Modern Luxury! Discover a rare blend of rustic heritage and refined comfort in this 3,500 sq ft farmhouse, perfectly set on 15 scenic acres with a meandering stream & former fish hatchery raceways. Minutes from I-476, this remarkable property offers easy access to the Lehigh Valley & the Scranton-Wilkes Barre area, while providing the privacy &
RURAL COUNTRY SETTING! Partially cleared building lot located on Airport Road in Mahoning Township, Lehighton. The property features an approved perc test and completed survey, offering a solid starting point for future development. An easement runs through the front lot (currently for sale) providing access to this rear parcel. Conveniently situated next to the airport and a short drive to
Chad FritzingerKoehler-Marvin Realty Brokerage, LLC
Cozy and quaint, this 3-bedroom, 1-bath farmhouse sits on 4 sloped, wooded acres and is full of character and rustic charm. Updated with warm wood accents, a new kitchen with all new appliances, and a refreshed bathroom featuring a beautifully upgraded shower, it offers a welcoming blend of old and new. The first floor features a living room with a coal/wood stove, an updated kitchen with all new
BACK ON THE MARKET BECAUSE BUYERS HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO AGENT! Nestled in a peaceful countryside of Towamensing Township, this inviting 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath Colonial home sits on a spacious 1.15 acres and offers beautiful views. A welcoming two-story foyer with a 2nd floor balcony overlooking leads to a thoughtfully designed layout featuring a modern kitchen with center island and breakfast nook,
Semi remodeled twin * 3 Bedrooms * 1/2 Baths * Eat in kitchen * First floor laundry * Huge building in rear would make a great workshop or gym * Newly subdivided from other side and awaiting new deeds, tax map numbers, assessment and taxes
Super size twin in a good neighborhood * 4 Bedrooms * 2 Baths * Eat in kitchen * High ceilings * Pocket doors between living room and den * Recently subdivided and waiting on new deeds, tax map numbers, assessments and taxes. The subdivision has been approved by Bowmanstown Borough
Welcome to this beautifully furnished chalet rental located at Pocono Point RV & Campground in scenic Lehighton, PA. Offered at $3,000/month including utilities, this spacious and modern retreat features flexible lease terms, making it ideal for corporate housing, transitional living, or weekend escapes. The home's centerpiece is its stunning vaulted great room, featuring dramatic
Located directly across from the welcoming, family-run Pocono Point RV & Campground on the tranquil banks of Pohopoco Creek, this fully furnished corporate residence combines the charm of a wooded retreat with the practicality of modern living. This rare opportunity delivers resort-style comfort, turn-key convenience, and immersive nature experiences—ideal for traveling professionals, corporate
Located directly across from the family-run Pocono Point RV & Campground on the banks of Pohopoco Creek, this fully furnished corporate residence blends resort-style living with everyday convenience. Spread over two levels, you’ll find four spacious bedrooms—each outfitted with one or two queen-sized beds (six in total), built-in storage, and a dedicated office desk—and three full bathrooms
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