Winding mountain roads, dense forest and only the occasional sign of life define the remote township of Plunketts Creek, Pennsylvania. Residents can take advantage of amenities 20 miles away in Williamsport, the region's largest city, and retreat to their mountain homes at the end of the day. "I used to work in Williamsport. After work, you're stressed out, and you come up here, and it all goes away," says Sharon Thomas, resident of Plunketts Creek for 11 years. "It's beautiful up here. It's just a nice community. Everybody knows everybody."
Natural gas wells operate near the township’s southern edge.
Small clusters of homes sit just off Pennsylvania Route 87.
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Thousands of acres of mountainous terrain to explore
Thomas says many residents go fishing or swimming in Loyalsock Creek, and hunting deer and bear are also common pastimes. State Game Lands 134 spans 8,375 acres in the township for hikers and licensed hunters to explore. "You see some kind of animal every day," Thomas says. "There are turkeys in the yard right now, and I got up yesterday and looked out the window and saw a bear. I saw two up in the yard the other night, but that's unusual." Hikers can also check out Painter Run Trail, Little Bear Creek and Loyalsock Trailhead walking in solitude in the woods along bubbling streams. Crystal Lake Ski and Outdoor Center is a resort in Plunketts Creek that offers skiing, horseback riding and boating, among other activities.
Loyalsock Creek is a favorite for fishing and summer swims.
Loyalsock Trailhead offers quiet creekside hikes through dense forest.
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Isolated homes among the mountains and woods
Homes don't come up for sale in Plunketts Creek very frequently. Most houses sit on large lots along Pennsylvania Route 87, isolated from other homes and not visible from the street. The small village of Proctor in Plunketts Creek is slightly denser; homes are within view of one another, although still on multiple acres. Ranches and traditional homes are the most common styles and usually sell for between $175,000 and $350,000. Manufactured homes cost between $40,000 and $150,000. Some residents live full-time at Creekside Manor Campgrounds in their RVs, though Thomas says most people leave during the winter months. "It's a piece of heaven out here," she says. But in the winter, "We can get a foot of snow."
Manufactured homes with spacious decks appear across the township.
Ranch‑style homes appear frequently across Plunketts Creek.
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Residents drive miles for groceries or eating out
Plunketts Creek has a volunteer fire department, a township office and Loyalsock Baptist Church, but no restaurants or grocery stores. The Walmart and Weis Markets in Montoursville are about 15 miles south of Plunketts Creek. "Most people only make a trip once a week, or they stock up and only go once a month," Thomas says. Montoursville also has restaurants. Dolly's Diner serves stacks of pancakes and omelets for breakfast and comfort food like pot pie for dinner.
Walmart in Montoursville lies about 15 miles south on PA‑87.
Plunketts Creek Volunteer Fire Company serves the township.
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Kids attend Montoursville Area schools
Students in Plunketts Creek typically attend Loyalsock Valley Elementary School, which earns a B grade from Niche. However, Montoursville Area School District is considering closing the school and consolidating it with Lyter Elementary School due to low enrollment and aging infrastructure. As of fall 2024, no decision has been made. Students continue to B-plus-rated C.E. McCall Middle School and B-rated Montoursville Area Senior High School. Montoursville Area Senior High School has career and technical paths for students that include criminal justice, automotive technology, computer systems technology and culinary arts.
Montoursville Area Senior High School offers multiple CTE pathways.
C.E. McCall Middle School offers B‑plus academics in Plunketts Creek.
Loyalsock Valley Elementary reports a 12:1 student‑teacher ratio.
Lyter Elementary serves Plunketts Creek students with community-focused programs.
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Family-friendly events with Plunketts Creek Township Recreation
Although Plunketts Creek is rural, Plunketts Creek Township Recreation organizes seasonal events such as summer block parties, Easter egg hunts, breakfasts with Santa in December and trunk or treating in October. Locals gather for these events at the Plunketts Creek Township Municipal Building on Dunwoody Road.
Driving to Williamsport and fracking in Plunketts Creek
Plunketts Creek is car-dependent and about a 25-minute drive from Williamsport. Drivers can get there on Pennsylvania Route 87, which runs through the township. UPMC Muncy and UPMC Williamsport hospitals are both about 20 miles away, and Williamsport Regional Airport, 16 miles south, has commercial flights to Washington Dulles International Airport.
Plunketts Creek has several active natural gas wells near the township's southern edge. Although there are few houses around these fracking sites, water trucks driving back and forth to the wells can cause some traffic. Plus, studies have shown the fracking industry can contaminate drinking water and contribute to air pollution.
Written By
Faith Wakefield
Photography Contributed By
Mitchell Birnbaum
Video By
Benjamin Rose
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