Salem Township mixes scenic settings with modern development
Much of Salem Township looks like it’s straight off a postcard, full of narrow roads that twist through dense rows of trees and past established homes on vast lots. However, this section of Wayne County also features two sprawling private developments offering recently built houses and community amenities. All of the properties around this area come with relatively quick access to restaurants, stores and the extensive Lake Wallenpaupack, one of the Poconos’ signature attractions.
Private amenities and rural privacy are available in this area
No two homes around Salem Township are exactly alike. The community has a variety of A-frame houses, ranch-style properties and contemporary designs. Many of the houses in the township are within either the Indian Rocks or The Hideout private subdivisions. Indian Rocks, located next to Lake Wallenpaupack, offers beach access, a pool, a gym, tennis and pickleball courts, and a playground. The Hideout has a sizable lake of its own, plus everything from a fitness center to a nine-hole golf course to a winter sports complex. Both also feature their own central water systems, as opposed to the wells in use elsewhere throughout the area.
However, the homes that aren’t in Indian Rocks or The Hideout often offer a bit more solitude. “There are opportunities, if somebody didn’t want to be in a community, there are some homes on land,” says local Realtor Vernon Waltz, who’s at Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors and carries about two decades of industry experience. Lots in those less-developed parts of the township are usually at least an acre, compared to the lots that are generally less than a half-acre in Indian Rocks and The Hideout. Houses across Salem Township typically sell for prices from the lower $100,000s to the upper $600,000s, depending on factors such as square footage and condition, though you’ll also find manufactured homes here priced under $100,000. Some waterfront properties in The Hideout top $1 million. Indian Rocks and The Hideout have HOA fees from roughly $80 to $180 per month.
Outdoor options include lake activities, trails and local parks
The area’s Lake Wallenpaupack is a magnet for tourism, and a home in Salem Township can put you within 10 miles of it. The lake spans 5,700 acres and has a 52-mile shoreline, making it the second-largest lake that’s completely within Pennsylvania. Popular activities on the water include:
- Fishing for species like bass, catfish and trout
- Boating with no horsepower restrictions
- Swimming from the Palmyra Township Public Beach
Ledgedale Recreation Area, with its boat launch, is one of the closest places to access the water if you don’t live in Indian Rocks. Also, the nearby Lacawac Sanctuary offers roughly 12 miles of trails just off the shore. The Salem Township Recreation Complex is another public place to get outside in this area, with a playground and ball fields. You can also take the kids to Claws 'N' Paws Wild Animal Park, a zoo that’s open from spring to fall and home to 10 dozen animal species.
Food options and everyday conveniences are close to home here
Though much of this community feels tucked away, residents are still close to restaurants and other businesses that are located off the central Hamlin Highway and also Goose Pond Road. The seasonal Mr. Yock’s BBQ is among them, open from April through Labor Day. “It’s one of those hidden gems,” Waltz says. “Mr. Yocks’s BBQ has barbecue ribs, barbecue chicken, brisket, homemade cornbread, ice cream, all that good stuff. … That’s extremely popular in the summer.” Options open year-round include:
- Palermo’s Pizza Restaurant & Bar, which specializes in a variety of Italian fare and seafood
- Totem Pole Inn, where you have the opportunity to take in live music with your meal
- Lori's Corner Kitchen, a diner known for its breakfast
- Rif's Italian Deli, a place to pick up a sub
Rif’s is close to a Weis Markets location, which includes an integrated pharmacy. Hamlin Highway also offers stores like Tractor Supply Company, Dollar General and CVS.
Western Wayne schools are close, including an elementary in town
The Western Wayne School District serves this area. The highly rated Evergreen Elementary is part of the township and has an active PTA. The district’s Western Wayne Middle School and Western Wayne High School are both about 8 miles away in neighboring buildings.
Residents have easier access to the Scranton area’s jobs and amenities
Salem Township is closer to Scranton than many other Wayne County communities. Scranton is about 25 minutes away via Interstate 84 and is the largest city in the region. The city is a job hub, and its Geisinger Community Medical Center has a 24-hour emergency department. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is about 30 minutes away, just outside Scranton, and offers nonstop flights to destinations ranging from Chicago to Orlando.
![Wayne Epps Jr.]()
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
