Working in the Wilds

Root yourself in the PA Wilds

The Pennsylvania Wilds region is home to more than 2 million acres of public lands. It offers some of the most unique outdoor experiences and plenty of small towns with must-have amenities. Come here for a workcation, or to stay. You'll find the work-life balance you've been searching for.

Find your dream job in the PA Wilds, work remotely in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, or build you business here!

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The Pennsylvania Wilds is a 13-county region that is home to the greatest concentration of public lands in the Commonwealth. The region includes the counties of Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Warren, and northern Centre. There are hundreds of communities that serve visitors and residents alike, and each community offers a rich history that is woven into the region’s story. These hamlets are the perfect launchpad for residents and travelers eager to connect with nature when work ends. Whether looking for a coworking facility or a new work opportunity in the region, you’re in luck!

Job Opportunities

PA Wilds
 State Jobs
 Residency

Watch for jobs with PA Wilds

The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc., is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to integrate conservation and economic development in a way that inspires the communities of the Pennsylvania Wilds. Based in the region, the Center is the lead nonprofit for the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape effort, a 15+year collaborative effort by local, state and federal partners to establish the region as a premier outdoor recreation destination as a way to diversify local economies, attract investment, inspire stewardship, improve quality of life and attract and retain the region’s working-age population.

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Look for careers with PA

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has opportunities across many departments, with positions ranging from conservation and environmental protection work to economic and community development.

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Artist residencies with the Forest

The Allegheny National Forest began offering an Artist in Residency Program to recognized how the arts have been inspired by the natural world and how art depicting America’s public lands often led to conservation of those lands for the greater good. The artist-in-residence program that seeks to tell the stories of the forest during the 2023 Allegheny National Forest Centennial and beyond.

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The Wilds Are Working: A Remote Lifestyle Experience

If you are a remote worker who is able to live anywhere, consider testing out living in the Pennsylvania Wilds! You can experience our communities and all that nature has to offer, all expenses paid.

 

The Wilds Are Working program allows remote workers to live in select communities for four weeks. Lodging is covered for the duration of the remote worker’s stay, and the remote worker receives a living stipend that can be spent at local small businesses.

 

Remote workers will have the chance to apply for an opportunity to test out living in two new Pennsylvania Wilds communities for 2024: Saint Marys and Williamsport. The application for 2024 participants will open on March 6 at www.WildsAreWorking.com, and submissions are due by April 19.

 

2024 Host Communities

WILLIAMSPORT

Williamsport, the seat of Lycoming County, will host remote workers in July. It is the largest city in the PA Wilds region, with a population of nearly 28,000. Perhaps best known as being the birthplace of Little League baseball, the Williamsport area also has a rich heritage tied to the lumber industry and is home to two institutions of higher education (Pennsylvania College of Technology and Lycoming College), the Crosscutters minor league baseball team and more than a dozen local breweries. The West Branch Susquehanna River runs through Williamsport, offering beautiful views along the riverwalk and ample water recreation, and the renowned Pine Creek Rail Trail and PA Grand Canyon is just down the road. During the month of July, Williamsport hosts multiple community events, art festivals, and theater productions that participants will be able to enjoy.

SAINT MARYS

Saint Marys in Elk County will host remote workers in August. The community offers a mix of city amenities while still being close to nature. With a population just over 12,000 residents, Saint Marys is the second-largest city by geographical area in Pennsylvania, but due to the large space is actually one of the least densely populated cities in the state. Beer aficionados will fall in love with Saint Marys, the home of the historic Straub Brewery. With six parks and a community pool, families always have something to do. In addition, Saint Marys is not far from the Elk Country Visitor Center, the epicenter of the largest wild elk herd in the northeastern United States. The month of August offers opportunities for participating in weekly events, outside dining, parks, trout streams, leisurely drives, and scenic views.

Pictured below: the six remote workers who lived in Kane and the five remote workers who lived in Bellefonte for the 2022 Wilds Are Working pilot program.

More information on the genesis of the program can be found here.

Looking for a coworking facility in the Wilds?

There are plenty of quiet spots in the Wilds to focus on work – whether outdoors, in your home/lodge, or at an establishment in the community. But when you’re looking for a spot that feels separate from home, free of the coffee shop noise and daydreaming that may come with working outside, consider looking for a coworking space. Work alongside other professionals and gain access to shared office equipment and technology. Here are a few places to consider.

COVATION CENTER

217 W 4th St, Williamsport, PA 17701 | (570) 435-1993
Pine Creek Valley + PA Grand Canyon landscape of the PA Wilds
Details here

 

INNOVAULT

201 Liberty St, Warren, PA 16365 | (814) 240-2419
Allegheny National Forest + Surrounds landscape of the PA Wilds
Details here

NORTH CENTRAL PA LAUNCHBOX

2 E Long Ave, DuBois, PA 15801 | (814) 372-3020
I-80 Frontier of the PA Wilds
Details here

 

SPRINGBOARD

221 W High St Suite 1300, Bellefonte, PA 16823 | (814) 548-7532
I-80 Frontier of the PA Wilds
Details here

Are you a PA Wilds innovator?

PA WILDS BIG IDEA CONTEST

The finalists have been announced for the 2023 PA Wilds BIG IDEA Contest, in which local entrepreneurs will compete in a pitch contest for the chance to win $50,000 to develop their small business. Find out who the 8 finalists are and join us on June 8 in Bradford for the final pitch competition to see who wins! Details here.

The 2023 contest focused on the Allegheny National Forest & Surrounds — including Cameron, Elk, Forest, McKean, or Warren County, PA. The 2024 contest will highlight innovators in the Pine Creek Valley & PA Grand Canyon — including Cameron, Clinton, Lycoming, Potter and Tioga Counties.

PA WILDS NETWORK

Businesses, nonprofits and communities located in the 13-county Pennsylvania Wilds region are invited to join the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania (WCO). Members are promoted on PAWilds.com, in addition to gaining access to branding and marketing resources, networking and professional development programs, opportunities to sell handmade products on the PA Wilds Marketplace and at PA Wilds Conservation Shops, and referrals to regional resource providers. Perhaps best of all, there are no annual membership dues. Learn more here.

Related Articles

Want to test out living in the PA Wilds? Applications open for Wilds Are Working in Saint Marys and Williamsport


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Welcoming the 2023 Wilds Are Working participants to Cameron County 


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Journeys & Landscapes

VISIT

Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds

Covering more than 500,000 acres, the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) is Pennsylvania’s only national forest. It dominates the western end of the Pennsylvania Wilds and contains within it and around it some of the region’s most treasured places and experiences.

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Cook Forest and the Ancients

Known as a land of giants because of the “forest cathedral” of ancient pines and hemlocks, this landscape is an ode to the majesty of the Pennsylvania Wilds and home to many of the tallest hemlock and pine trees in the Northeast. If an adventure among Cook Forest & The Ancients sounds mystifyingly exciting to you, rest assured that you’ll rest well during your exploration. So what are you waiting for? The Ancients are calling. Come see some of the tallest pine trees in the Northeast.

VISIT

Dark Skies

Inspiring awe and delight, Dark Skies is home to the world’s second certified International Dark-Sky Park. Cherry Springs State Park is world-famous for being one the best places in the USA for stargazing and the study of astronomy. But these mesmerizing, star-filled skies are JUST the beginning.

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Elk Country

Elk Country is a place that lives up to its name. Home to the largest free-roaming elk herd in the northeastern United States, Elk Country features two large visitor centers to welcome you. If you come to Elk Country for the elk, you won’t be disappointed. But if you stick around to see what’s all around you, you’ll be delighted you did.

VISIT

I-80 Frontier

Whether you’re coming from the east, south or west, the I-80 Frontier is the quintessential welcome mat to the Pennsylvania Wilds. With its proximity to Pennsylvania’s southern population centers of Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, not to mention close by New York City, and Cleveland on the western side, it’s easy to plan a trip for each season. Home to forested state parks and storied towns and places, any given exit off the interstate is a surefire way to find and explore the natural and hidden wonders of the region.

VISIT

Pine Creek Valley and The PA Grand Canyon

The Eastern Gateway to the PA Wilds...If it’s your first visit to the region, the PA Grand Canyon is a must see and one of the perfect ways to orient your mind and senses to the wonders of the Wilds. But once you’ve delighted in the Pine Creek Gorge views, you’ll soon discover that this scenic and unique landscape is best discovered from multiple vantage points.