Access to nature, community and Scranton in Roaring Brook Township
Roaring Brook is a township directly east of Scranton on the eastern side of Interstate 81. Homes in this Lackawanna County community lie within the Pocono Mountains, yet are just 9 miles from downtown Scranton. “Roaring Brook has a rural setting, a good school district and proximity to outdoor activities,” says Sandra Polguy, a Realtor at Lewith & Freeman who sells in the area. “There’s boating, kayaking, skiing in the winter—everything that you could do outdoors, in all seasons.” The overall CAP Index Crime Score for Roaring Brook is 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score.
This tree-filled township completely encircles Elmhurst Township, a small community bisected by State Route 435. Every summer, the two townships come together at the annual picnic hosted by the Elmhurst-Roaring Brook Volunteer Fire Company. The four-day event is the organization’s largest gathering, and offers free admission. It’s a family-friendly affair featuring a car show and a fire truck parade in addition to live music and raffles.
Golfing, fishing and hiking in the Poconos
Roaring Brook offers a wide range of outdoor recreation in the Poconos. Golfers can meet up at the public nine-hole Marjon Golf Course or the private Elmhurst Country Club, which has regularly scheduled tournaments at its 18-hole course. At Roaring Brook Township Park, kids can socialize on the playground and learn teamwork on the Little League baseball field. Anglers can fish from the shore of the Elmhurst Reservoir, which is stocked with fish like smallmouth bass and black crappie. Nearby Montage Mountain Resort is a four-season destination, with snow tubing and skiing in the winter and a water park in the summer.
There are also several nature trails to explore. Locals can access the North Poconos Trail system; paths wind past creeks and trees and connect to the expansive Pinchot State Forest. Activities along the trails include birdwatching, mountain biking, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. A new 3.5-mile walking trail will connect Roaring Brook to Elmhurst Township and the neighboring borough of Dunmore. The Lake Scranton Walking Trail is a paved, wide path encircling the lake, where locals might spot wildlife like chipmunks, deer and geese.
Cul-de-sacs surrounded by trees in Roaring Brook
Roaring Brook is composed of hilly, forested terrain, and some properties overlook the Pocono Mountains. Split-level and ranch-style homes were built throughout the 20th century, while subdivisions like Windsor Hill and Summit Woods feature spacious, 21st-century homes on large lots. In Summit Woods, the property owners’ association includes all residents and dues are $100 per year. Across all of Roaring Brook, home prices range from about $210,000 to $500,000. However, prices are typically higher in Summit Woods; one home sold for $900,000 in 2025. Lots in the township typically cost between $8,000 and $210,000. The township requires permits for property changes like renovations, additions and drainage projects.
Students are zoned for the North Pocono School District
The North Pocono School District, rated B-plus on Niche, serves the township. “It’s a high-ranking district, and people like the small classes,” Polguy says. Students in first through third grades may attend Moscow Elementary School, rated A-minus, before advancing to B-plus-rated North Pocono Intermediate School for fourth and fifth grades. The public school pipeline continues with North Pocono Middle and North Pocono High School, which are both rated B-plus. The high school is the second best in Lackawanna County, according to Niche. High schoolers may choose between the Academic, Accelerated and Advanced Placement tracks, which all emphasize college preparation. Alternatively, students may opt for the General, Business or Vocational tracks; the latter offers courses through the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County.
Shopping and dining in Scranton and Elmhurst
Most restaurants and retailers lie outside the township. Olde Brook Inn offers a casual yet elevated atmosphere with indoor and outdoor dining; the enclosed patio features heat lamps for comfortable outdoor dining, even in the winter. A few locally owned businesses line State Route 435, like Y Knot Pub & Eatery, known for its chicken wings, and LONGROOTS, a holistic health store. A few miles south, Kay’s Italian Restaurant serves generously sized pizzas and desserts. “Kay’s has ridiculously good cinnamon rolls,” Polguy says. Shoppers can head into Scranton to pick up food at Gerrity’s, a local grocery chain featured on “The Office,” a popular television sitcom set in Scranton. The Marketplace at Steamtown and Viewmont Mall, two large shopping centers with a variety of chain restaurants and retailers, are also a short drive away in Scranton.
Driving into Scranton from Roaring Brook
Roaring Brook is a car-dependent area with Interstates 380 and 84 connecting the township to other major regional highways. Drivers have several options to get into Scranton: the tree-lined Scranton-Pocono Highway; I-84, which winds through the Poconos; or the more rural Elmhurst Boulevard. Route 435 cuts through Roaring Brook and Elmhurst, and there is ongoing construction to replace the bridge over the D&L Railroad. Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital in Scranton is about 9 miles away, and Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is about 15 miles away.
