Rural township offers countryside living near Wilkes-Barre & Scranton
Lehman Township in Luzerne County is about 12 miles from Wilkes-Barre. The township is a rural region that stretches between the communities of Silkworth and Back Mountain. Homebuyers can take advantage of the township’s quiet lifestyle and proximity to the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton metro areas. Life in Lehman Township revolves around community get-togethers and spending time in the natural surroundings. “A lot of things are events-driven, and on top of that, there are nature trails and state parks,” says Alan Stout, Executive Director of Luzerne County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Families can participate in go-karting and mini golfing at nearby Pikes Creek Raceway Park, or gather at the Luzerne County Fair, which comes to Lehman Township every September. Ricketts Glen State Park and Moon Lake State Recreation Area offer nearly 50 miles of multi-use trails combined. And with nearby highways, residents can also get their big-city fix in nearby Wilkes-Barre or Scranton, about 30 miles away. The overall CAP Index Crime Score in Lehman Township is 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score.
Lakes and forests provide outdoor fun in Luzerne County
Outdoors enthusiasts have several places to explore in and around Lehman Township. At Moon Lake State Recreation Area, locals can snowshoe in the winter, admire the flowers in the spring and go camping year-round. The 48-acre lake is stocked with trout, and the protected wilderness is home to wildlife like turkeys and foxes. Miles of multi-use trails wind around the lake. Ricketts Glen State Park spans over 13,000 acres, providing more opportunities for hiking and biking. “From Lehman Township, you’re very close to Ricketts Glen, which I think is the most beautiful state park on the East Coast, with over 20 natural waterfalls,” Stout says. Nearby Harveys Lake is a hotspot for fishing and boating; however, access to the water requires membership in one of the lake’s clubs. Golfers can meet up at the public Lehman Golf Club or at the private Huntsville Golf Club, which hosts qualifying tournaments for the U.S. Open.
Lehman Township’s pastoral scenery and variety of home styles
Rural roads stretch past forests, quiet countryside and pastures where horses and cows graze. The residential landscape includes ranch-style, farmhouses and Cape Cod homes. Some lakefront homes around Lake Silkworth have private docks. Prices range from about $210,000 to $360,000.
Students are zoned for the Lake-Lehman School District
The Lake-Lehman School District, rated B-minus on Niche, serves the area. Students may attend B-rated Lehman-Jackson Elementary School, followed by Lake-Lehman Junior/Senior High School, rated B-minus. Students in all grade levels who opt for full-time or part-time online learning have the option of joining sports teams and attending school events.
Restaurants in Lehman Township, shopping in Dallas and Wilkes-Barre
There are a couple of spots to eat by Lake Silkworth, like Chele’s Place for some pizza, and Pisano Family Wines, where folks can listen to live music and enjoy local wine around the bonfire. However, most restaurants line State Route 309, like Fire and Ice on Toby Creek, which offers fine dining, cocktails and live music on the weekends. Here, guests can reserve private, heated “igloos” for outdoor dining in the cold weather. There is a Dollar General in Lehman Township; otherwise, grocery shoppers can drive to Weis Markets about 5 miles away in Dallas. Big box stores like Walmart Supercenter and Target are in Wilkes-Barre.
Limited transit options make driving a necessity in Lehman Township
Lehman Township is car-dependent due to the lack of public transportation in the area. State Route 29 runs through the township and leads to Interstate 81, which takes drivers north to Scranton. State Route 118 leads to Back Mountain and Ricketts Glen State Park. Locals can get emergency care about 10 miles away at Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and can catch a flight about 20 miles east out of Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport.
