Back Mountain’s small, rural gemstone
Trucksville’s rural setting invites a return to the simple life on the Back Mountain foothills north of Wilkes-Barre and Kingston. If Kingston is known as the Gateway to the Back Mountain, then Trucksville is the entrance corridor to Dallas, a more fully developed rural-suburban borough. “Trucksville is the smallest out of the towns that make up the Back Mountain area, which encompasses Shavertown, Dallas and Trucksville,” says local Realtor Shannon Sweitzer of Lewith and Freeman, who has lived in the area for 20 years. “Trucksville is known for its small quaint country town feel and pretty mountain views.” Enveloped in pastoral wooded landscapes with access to state parks and fresh produce from local farms, Trucksville residents craft a life beautifully intertwined with the land they cultivate.
Life along Route 309 and harvesting nature at Hillside Farms
Route 309 courses through the canyon in the mountain range, anchoring Trucksville as its primary thoroughfare. The heart of Trucksville consists of a central gas station and a few businesses and eateries serving locals and pass-thru motorists. Located next to a Citgo gas station, family-owned Pizza Perfect has been making its house-special pan pizza the same way since the 70s. "Pizza Perfect has a longtime reputation," Sweitzer says. "People come from far away for it." Farther up the road, the elegant dining room and cozy patio at Fire and Ice on Toby’s Creek inspire ideas for date nights and special dinners, with bespoke menu items like orange cognac salad, clams Bianco and New York strip steak.
The Lands at Hillside Farms, a non-profit educational dairy farm, spans 400 miles on Trucksville's southern edge and is a go-to for fresh produce, raw local honey, seasonal vegetables and a wide selection of ice cream flavors. Sweitzer says the farm has grown from a small ice cream shop to a significant community staple, offering a place for vendors to sell their goods and hosting a slew of free public events. The original dairy store and ice cream parlor are now joined by a mercantile shop, education center, greenhouse and dairy barn. “They bring in a lot of local handmade goods and local foods, like cheeses and kombucha, as well as local artisans like bread makers,” Sweitzer says. “They have these events all year long except the dead of winter.” Summer camps and the “Mooseum” barn keep kids engaged, while presentations about the dairy market teach adults how to be more educated consumers. Family-friendly movies play every Friday through June at the Hillside Pavilion, while winter holidays bring about historic tours and Christmas in the Barns, a day of cookies and crafts with Santa.
Tranquil farmhouse and colonial residences
West of Route 309, large single-family homes set on heavily wooded, acre-rich lots line looping streets. Sizable Tudor-inspired and Colonial Revival examples are prominent architectural styles and can price from $345,000 to $700,000 for a home spanning 5,600 square feet. Smaller home styles, including ranches and 1930s Cape Cods, are arranged along longer, relatively straight-lined streets on the other side of the highway. Depending on square footage and lot size, these typically list between $103,000 and $275,000.
Highly rated academics at Dallas School District
Sweitzer says the highly rated Dallas School District is a draw for Trucksville residents. Its four schools are all on the same campus, making drop-off in the morning a one-stop-shop. Kids may start their education at A-minus-rated Wycallis Elementary School for kindergarten through second grade before continuing to Dallas Elementary School, which earns a B-plus from Niche. Dallas Middle School earns a B grade. Boasting a 97% graduation rate, Dallas High School offers 25 sports and 31 co-curricular activities to keep students engaged and active. The B-plus-rated school’s many accolades include ranking as Niche's third-best public high school in the Scranton area and being named one of the best high schools for 2023-2024 by U.S. News & World Report.
Getting the lay of the land at nearby parks and Back Mountain Trail
Trucksville’s rustic setting gives residents easy access to natural spaces, from township parks to the rugged great outdoors. In neighboring Dallas, the namesake Dallas Township Park and Southside Nature Playground create a fun area for kids to explore the nature-themed playscapes, including a slide, swing set and jungle gym. Closer to home, the Back Mountain Trail is a heavily wooded 3-mile stretch that parallels Route 309. Dog walkers, joggers and cyclists take to the gravel trail while benches interspersed along the route offer a seat to birdwatchers. Frances Slocum State Park also beckons adventurers to its 1,035-acre expanse, especially to the banks of the Frances Slocum Lake, a boating and fishing destination.
Connecting to Wilkes-Barre and beyond
Trucksville is located 3 miles south of Dallas via Route 309 and 8 miles north of Wilkes-Barre, where locals can access bigger retail stores and supermarkets. The borough’s location also offers connections to larger thoroughfares, including US Route 11, Interstate 81 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Photography Contributed By
TJ Engler
