Porter Township is a rural community immersed in nature
In the thick forests of the Delaware Valley, life in Porter Township revolves around outdoor recreation. “It’s a super quiet area. The state forest is all about camping, lake access and trails, and you can drive for 30 minutes through the forest,” says Kacey Campbell Conaty with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates. Fewer than 500 residents live in this rural community, most around Pecks Pond or in Hemlock Farms, an expansive private community that stretches north into Blooming Grove Township. Beyond the development’s private hiking trails, this corner of the Poconos features vast swaths of forest, swamps and trails.
Hemlock Farms serves as Porter Township's main residential area
The back entrance to Hemlock Farms sits in the northern part of Porter Township. “Hemlock Farms is the only community within the forestry area, and it’s a cute little place with some nice amenities,” Conaty says. Founded in the 1960s, the community is home to seasonal and year-round residents who pay around $2,700 in annual HOA fees in exchange for their own emergency services, sports facilities and outdoor amenities. “It’s nice because the properties are big, so they’re not stacked on top of each other, and it’s a spaced-out community,” Conaty says. “The taxes are also super low out here. If you want peace and quiet, that might be a great place to live.” Homes in Hemlock Farms tend to sell for $250,000 to $550,000. Single-story or split-level homes outside Hemlock Farms have sold for $140,000 to $340,000, and cabins on leased state forest land go for $50,000 to $120,000. The area has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
A state forest and national recreation area allow for exploration
Much of Porter Township is preserved as part of the Delaware State Forest, which includes several trails, campgrounds and natural features to explore. The Thunder Swamp Trail meanders throughout this vast nature preserve, leading past Lake Minisink, Painter Swamp, the Stillwater Natural Area and several other remote sites used for hiking, fishing and camping. Hemlock Farms offers diverse amenities to its community members, including pairs of baseball fields, basketball courts and outdoor swimming pools, a gym and beaches complete with boat racks for exploring Hemlock Lake. This development is also home to the Lords Valley Country Club, a private club that includes an 18-hole golf course and 10 tennis courts. The Delaware Water Gap across the river in New Jersey is another major attraction for outdoor adventurers, offering mountainside hiking trails and camping along the Delaware Valley.
East Stroudsburg offers diverse extracurriculars
Students can attend Bushkill Elementary School and Lehman Intermediate School, which receive C-plus ratings from Niche. East Stroudsburg Senior High School North, rated B-minus, offers diverse extracurriculars like Scholastic Scrimmage, the Reading Olympics and Speech & Debate. Students looking to get a head start on college can pursue dual-enrollment opportunities with East Stroudsburg University.
The Pickerel Inn Deli is Porter Township's only retail outlet
Because of the township’s deep rural character, there are almost no shopping or dining conveniences in the area. The Pickerel Inn Deli serves as the local general store, selling outdoor essentials like walking sticks, made-to-order sandwiches, beef jerky and hunting supplies. The nearest supermarket, Weis Markets, is 15 miles away.
Easy access to healthcare and urban centers
State Route 402 connects Porter Township to East Stroudsburg and its Lehigh Valley Hospital 20 miles to the south, while the Wyoming Valley metropolitan area is around a 45-mile drive to the northwest.
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
