Luzerne district, Pennsylvania, United States

Places to visit near Back Mountain

Back Mountain is a town in Luzerne district, Pennsylvania, United States, home to about 26,973 people. Within 50 km by road there are 135 places to visit — 40 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 21 hill stations & viewpoints, 6 wildlife, forests & gardens and 29 waterfalls. The must-see places are Harveys Lake (5 km), Pikes Creek Reservoir (10 km) and Lake Louise (11 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Back Mountain on the map

Back Mountain, Pennsylvania
Back Mountain, Luzerne district, Pennsylvania, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Back Mountain at a glance

Location
Luzerne district, Pennsylvania, United States
Population
about 26,973
Coordinates
41.3359° N, 75.9963° W
Places within 50 km
135 (48 must-see)
Best time to visit
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints

Top places to visit near Back Mountain

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Back Mountain: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Back Mountain, by type

Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Back Mountain

55 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Back Mountain. The closest is Huntsville Reservoir (3 km); the best-known is Harveys Lake (5 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Back Mountain

40 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Back Mountain. The closest is Monument Park (17 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Back Mountain

29 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Back Mountain. The closest is Frances Slocum State Park (11 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Waterfalls near Back Mountain

29 waterfalls within 100 km of Back Mountain. The closest is Back Mountain Waterfall (11 km). Best time: july to january, best august to november right after rains.

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Forts & heritage near Back Mountain

20 forts & heritage within 100 km of Back Mountain. The closest is Denison House (15 km); the best-known is Wyoming Monument (16 km). Best time: october to february.

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Churches near Back Mountain

10 churches within 100 km of Back Mountain. The closest is Eaton Baptist Church (27 km); the best-known is Saint Peter's Cathedral (36 km). Best time: year-round.

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A one-day trip from Back Mountain

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 53 km on the road.

  1. Start in Back Mountain
  2. 5 km Harveys Lake · lake, Luzerne
  3. 11 km Pikes Creek Reservoir · reservoir, Luzerne
  4. 19 km Frances Slocum State Park · nature spot, Luzerne
  5. 6 km Lake Louise · lake, Luzerne
  6. 1 km Lake Manjo · lake, Luzerne
  7. 11 km Back to Back Mountain

Plan a longer trip from Back Mountain — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Back Mountain

No traveller has reported from around Back Mountain yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Back Mountain

    All places near Back Mountain by distance

    Within 15 km of Back Mountain

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Back Mountain by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs4055Huntsville Reservoir (3 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints2140Monument Park (17 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens629Frances Slocum State Park (11 km)
    Waterfalls2929Back Mountain Waterfall (11 km)
    Forts & heritage1620Denison House (15 km)
    Churches710Eaton Baptist Church (27 km)
    Museums69Anthracite Museum (31 km)
    Other attractions29Scranton Iron Furnaces (36 km)
    Parks47Anthracite Park (32 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves33Richard Island (15 km)
    Treks13Pinchot Trail System (42 km)
    Temples01Kozmo's Kurves (83 km)

    Back Mountain: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Back Mountain?

    Harveys Lake (lake, about 5 km), Pikes Creek Reservoir (reservoir, about 10 km), Lake Louise (lake, about 11 km), Lake Manjo (lake, about 11 km), Frances Slocum State Park (nature spot, about 11 km), Moon Lake State Forest Recreation Area (lake, about 12 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Back Mountain?

    135 places on Spotwander: 40 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 21 hill stations & viewpoints, 6 wildlife, forests & gardens, 29 waterfalls, 16 forts & heritage.

    Which is the nearest lake to Back Mountain?

    Huntsville Reservoir, about 3 km by road; Posten Pond (5 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Back Mountain?

    Monument Park, about 17 km by road; Campbell's Ledge (21 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest sanctuary to Back Mountain?

    Frances Slocum State Park, about 11 km by road; Pinchot State Forest (21 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Back Mountain?

    Start in Back Mountain, visit Harveys Lake, then Pikes Creek Reservoir, then Frances Slocum State Park, then Lake Louise, then Lake Manjo, and drive back — about 53 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Back Mountain?

    August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints.

    Towns near Back Mountain

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Back Mountain’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Back Mountain on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.