About this Location

Facility Overview

The Luzerne County Court House Parking Lot is an essential, highly accessible open-air surface parking facility serving the historic Luzerne County Courthouse complex and the scenic North River Street corridor in downtown Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Situated directly off West Jackson Street adjacent to the Courthouse Annex and the Susquehanna riverfront, the facility provides convenient paved parking for court attendees, jurors, legal professionals, county employees, and civic visitors. Because this is an open-air, grade-level parking lot with no overhead barriers or parking deck restrictions, it provides generous vertical clearance capable of easily accommodating standard passenger sedans, large pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and commercial service vans.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned along the scenic Susquehanna River bank, this parking area sits at the northern gateway of downtown Wilkes-Barre. Key nearby destinations include:

Luzerne County Courthouse: Located immediately adjacent to the lot, providing direct access to county administration, civil and criminal courtrooms, and clerk offices.
The River Common & Millennium Circle: Just steps away, offering expansive riverfront walking paths, amphitheater seating, fishing docks, and open recreational green space.
King\'s College Campus: Located within a short 5- to 8-minute walk (approx. 0.3 miles east) along North River Street and North Main Street.
Wilkes-Barre Public Square & F.M. Kirby Center: Situated roughly 0.5 miles south (an easy 10-minute stroll), featuring downtown shopping, dining, community events, and world-class live theatrical performances.
Wilkes University: Situated approximately 0.8 miles south down River Street, easily reachable via a brief drive or sidewalk walk.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward: motorists traveling along North River Street turn west onto West Jackson Street, take the first left, and bear left into the lower visitor lot. The facility features clearly marked driving aisles and clearly designated stalls. Post-proceedings egress onto North River Street offers direct routing to the Pierce Street Bridge (connecting to Kingston across the river), PA Route 309, and the Cross Valley Expressway (PA-309 North/South), connecting seamlessly to Interstate 81. For those utilizing public transit, Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA) bus lines operate along River and Main Streets, connecting quickly with the central intermodal transit center on Public Square.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous outdoor layout eliminating height restriction concerns for tall trucks and passenger vans.
Designated ADA Accessible Parking: Prominently signed accessible stalls located close to courthouse access ramps and pedestrian walkways.
Pedestrian Connectivity: Paved sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks connecting directly to courthouse security entrances and annex facilities.
Security & Lighting: County property monitored with pole-mounted perimeter lighting and routine security patrols during active operating hours.
On-Site Payment & Permitting: Pay stations and mobile parking management or permit enforcement depending on county business-hour policies.

Ideal For

Courthouse Visitors & Jurors: Fast, dedicated parking for citizens reporting for jury duty, legal consultations, filings, and court appearances.
County Employees & Attorneys: Prime, stress-free morning arrival parking within steps of judicial chambers and administrative offices.
River Common Visitors: Convenient parking for morning joggers, dog walkers, and weekend attendees of riverfront community festivals.
King\'s College Visitors: Strategic overflow parking for campus open houses and regional collegiate athletic events.

Visitor & Driver Tips

The lot experiences its highest demand during weekday morning calendar calls between 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM, especially on active jury selection days. Jurors should review their orientation summons for parking validation procedures or permit display requirements. If arriving for midday court sessions, arriving 15 to 20 minutes early ensures sufficient time to clear building security checkpoints. For non-court visitors, monitor posted signage carefully to distinguish between designated employee permit spaces and general public visitor stalls.