6 Most Rattlesnake Infested Areas in Pennsylvania
The rattlesnake might not be the first thing that comes to mind when travelers think of Pennsylvania, but these scaly survivalists have more in common with the Keystone State than one might think. Tucked in the state’s rocky outcrops, rattlesnakes embody grit and adaptability, much like Pennsylvania, whose history includes everything from signing the Declaration of Independence to the battle for Gettysburg. Pennsylvania has 21 species of snakes, including two species of rattlesnakes: the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) and the highly endangered eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus). History buffs and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a mix of historical landmarks and scenic adventure should be aware that rattlesnakes are present in six of the state's most rattlesnake-infested areas.
Allegheny National Forest
The Allegheny National Forest is about 100 miles northeast of Pittsburgh and covers 514,029 acres. It is a prime destination for nature lovers interested in hiking, paddling, off-roading, and wildlife viewing, including white-tailed deer, black bear, grey fox, wild turkey, squirrel, chipmunk, red-backed salamander, wood frog, beaver, raccoon, and timber rattlesnakes. Since 2015, the U.S. Forest Service has worked to protect the vulnerable rattlesnakes in the Allegheny Forest by implanting tracking devices in captured rattlesnakes to help biologists find the rattlesnakes’ hidden dens to make the habitat more hospitable for the snakes who play an essential part of the eco-system by keeping Lyme disease in check.
Chesapeake Bay Watershed
The Chesapeake Bay watershed is a geographic region in the eastern U.S. that spans more than 64,000 square miles, encompassing parts of the states of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the entire District of Columbia. The watershed supports an incredibly diverse ecosystem, including wetlands, forests, and farmland, and is home to over 18 million people and various species of wildlife, including timber rattlesnakes. Timber rattlesnakes in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are found mainly in the Appalachian Mountains. It is illegal to kill them in every state in the watershed except for Delaware.
Quehanna Wild Area
The Quehanna Wild Area is Pennsylvania’s largest wild area, encompassing approximately 50,000 acres at the intersection of Elk, Cameron, and Clearfield Counties. The wild area includes both the Moshannon State Forest and the Elk State Forest. The area is a birder’s paradise, classified as an Important Bird Area by the Audobon Society, but is best known for its large elk population. Other wildlife in the area include white-tailed deer, bears, and turkeys. Top predators such as coyotes, bobcats, and golden eagles can also be found in the wild area, and timber rattlesnakes are relatively common.
Blue Mountain Ridge
Blue Mountain Ridge is a part of the Appalachian Mountains, forming a section of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Pennsylvania. Also called the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, the ridge extends about 150 miles from the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey to Lehigh Gap. It’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering numerous hiking opportunities, including sections of the famed Appalachian Trail. Blue Mountain Ridge is also a vital ecological zone, home to diverse wildlife, including reptiles like timber rattlesnakes who use the traprock formations for hibernating, basking in the sun, and sheltering from predators.
Pine Creek Gorge
Called the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania,” the stunning Pine Creek Gorge is nearly 50 miles long and 1,450 feet deep at its deepest point, located in about 160,000 acres of the Tioga State Forest. The Pine Creek Rail Trail is a popular destination for cyclists and outdoor lovers. It is the only rail trail in the Appalachian Mountains of north central Pennsylvania, starting in Wellsboro Junction, running through the Pine Creek Gorge, and ending at Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. Hikers and riders along the 63-mile scenic trail can expect to see waterfalls, numerous rock outcrops, and wildlife like coyotes, river otters, black bears, and deer. Timber rattlesnakes are very populous in the area.
Moraine State Park
Moraine State Park is a 16,725-acre park in western Pennsylvania that attracts over one million visitors yearly, many of who travel to see its No. 1 attraction—the endangered eastern Massasauga rattlesnake. The rattlesnake makes it home at the Jennings Environmental Education Center, which features a 20-acre wet prairie ecosystem adjacent to the state park. The eastern Massasauga was listed as endangered in 2016, but the center provides the ideal habitat for the reptiles to help the rattlesnake make a comeback. In June of 2024, an eastern Massasauga was found in nearby Slippery Rock as part of an annual snake survey.
Pennsylvania’s stunning landscapes offer great opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, with rattlesnakes living in some of the state’s most scenic rattlesnake-infested areas. The Allegheny National Forest is perfect for hiking and wildlife watching, including timber rattlesnakes. In the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, timber rattlesnakes inhabit the Appalachian Mountains, adding to the area's rich biodiversity. The Quehanna Wild Area and Blue Mountain Ridge are prime locations for spotting timber rattlesnakes, as is the stunning Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania—the Pine Creek Gorge. Finally, Moraine State Park is a key conservation site for the endangered eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, attracting visitors for both adventure and education.
