Regions
Pennsylvania’s six main land regions include the Central Lowlands, Appalachian Plateaus, Ridge and Valley, New England, Piedmont, and Atlantic Coastal Plain.
Agriculture in Pennsylvania
Agriculture is an 83.8 billion-dollar industry and brings in about $10.9 billion in earnings for the Keystone state. There are approximately 52,000 farms in the state, covering 7.3 million acres. The average size farm comprises 137 acres. Agriculture makes a significant contribution to all 67 counties.
Pennsylvania’s top commodities are dairy products, eggs, cattle, and calves. The most valuable crops are mushrooms (a US industry leader), corn, and soybeans. Most of the cropland is found in the southeast area of the state.
Wildlife
Pennsylvania wildlife is abundant on both land and water. The dense vegetation, ample rainfall, and forests make it a wildlife mecca for land animals and fisheries alike. Pennsylvania is committed to conserving its land, waters, and wildlife habitats from the threat of biodiversity loss and climate change.
Its primary wildlife include white-tailed deer, elk, black bear, turkey, grouse, fox, and badger. Diverse fishing opportunities across the state include rainbow trout, brown trout, catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch.
Main Rivers & Lakes
Pennsylvania’s four longest rivers are the Ohio, Susquehanna, Allegheny, and Delaware. Their main tributaries include the Kiskiminetas, Clarion, and Conemaugh Rivers.
Lake Erie, the largest lake in Pennsylvania, forms the border between Pennsylvania and Canada. The surface area of this lake is approximately 6.3 million acres (9,940 square miles). Other significant lakes include Pymatuning Lake and Raystown Lake, which exceed 25,388 surface area.
State Parks
Pennsylvania has 121 state parks and 19 national parks.
National Parks
- Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
- Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site
- Eisenhower National Historic Site
- First State National Historical Park
- Flight 93 National Memorial
- Fort Necessity National Battlefield
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site
- Gettysburg National Military Park
- Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
- Independence National Historical Park
- Johnstown Flood National Memorial
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site
- Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River
- Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
- Steamtown National Historic Site
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
- Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River
- Valley Forge National Historical Park
| State Summary | |
| Nickname | Keystone State |
| Neighboring States | New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio |
| Regions | Central Lowlands, Appalachian Plateaus, Ridge and Valley, New England, Piedmont, and Atlantic Coastal Plain |
| State Flower | Mountain Laurel |
| State Bird | Ruffed Grouse |
| Big Game | Bear, elk, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey |
| Small Game | Game birds, badger, beaver, bobcat, and coyote |
| Freshwater Fish | Rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch |
| Saltwater Fish | N/A |
| Hunting Information | https://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/Hunting/Pages/default.aspx |
| Total Acreage | 29.4 million acres |
| Total Public Land Acreage | 16.1% |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 50 inches |
| Farmland by Acreage | 7.3 million acres |
| Woodlands by Acreage | 16.9 million acres |
| Coastline | 60 miles |
| Conservation Program | https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Conservation/Pages/default.aspx |
| Primary Crops | Mushrooms and corn |
| Main Rivers | Ohio River, Susquehanna River, Allegheny River, and Delaware River |
| Largest Lake | Lake Erie |
| Other Lakes | Pymatuning Lake and Raystown Lake |
| Major Rivers | Ohio River, Susquehanna River, Allegheny River, and Delaware River |
| Other Tributaries | Kiskiminetas River, Clarion River, Conemaugh River |
Our Rural Real Estate Offices
Mossy Oak Properties Pennsylvania began with the goal of becoming a trusted resource for folks looking to buy or sell rural land for sale in AL. Our land brokers and agents understand what people are looking for in rural property because we share the same lifestyle and love for the land as you do. We understand the importance of honor and integrity and that buying or selling land is an emotional and life-changing experience for consumers.
Only Mossy Oak Properties Pennsylvania can provide powerful brand strength, local expertise, quality service, and national exposure that buyers and sellers of Pennsylvania land desire. Whether you want to buy or sell rural real estate, a Mossy Oak Properties land specialist is a must-have on your team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What regions of Pennsylvania have the most rural land activity?
The north central Pennsylvania Wilds counties including Potter Tioga Clinton Lycoming and Cameron have massive forests at affordable prices and offer a strong hunting culture. The northeast counties of Sullivan Bradford and Susquehanna are also heavily wooded with hunting land at fair prices.
South central and southeast Pennsylvania hold highly productive Lancaster County farmland which is some of the most valuable farm dirt in the eastern United States. Recreational land demand is highest from buyers living in the Philadelphia Pittsburgh New York and New Jersey areas who want easy weekend hunting properties within a two to four hour drive from home.
What are typical land prices in Pennsylvania by region?
According to the 2024 and 2025 USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service reports the average farm real estate value in Pennsylvania sits around $8,160 per acre. Because of this prime Lancaster County farmland in the southeast trades for $12,000 to $20,000 per acre for the absolute best dirt. North central Pennsylvania hunting and timber land in Potter and Tioga counties runs $1,500 to $4,000 per acre.
Northeast Pennsylvania hunting land in Sullivan and Bradford counties runs $1,500 to $3,500 per acre. Land in Wayne and Pike counties carries massive price bumps because it sits so close to New York City. Central Pennsylvania land along the Susquehanna River runs $2,500 to $5,000 per acre. Overall Pennsylvania land prices sit higher than similar dirt in New York or West Virginia because so many wealthy buyers live nearby.
What should buyers know about property taxes on Pennsylvania rural land?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture the state uses the Clean and Green program to help rural landowners save money on property taxes. Enrolled land is taxed based on its farming or timber value rather than its full market selling price which massively drops the yearly tax bill on working farms and woods. If you ever stop farming the land or build a subdivision on it you have to pay a rollback penalty covering the last seven years of tax savings plus interest.
Local county and school tax rates change wildly across the state. Counties with highly rated school districts like Chester Montgomery and Delaware near Philadelphia have much higher tax rates than the remote north central counties.
