Why homebuyers seek seclusion in Sugarloaf Township
Sugarloaf Township offers privacy, nature and lower home prices than surrounding communities in the mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. This community of fewer than 900 people is comprised of several small enclaves tucked between peaks, rolling hills and the towering edge of the Allegheny Plateau. “Sugarloaf Township is one of those hidden gems in Columbia County where you can still find spacious acreage at a price that won’t break the bank,” says Amanda Orzolek , a Realtor with The Land and Residential Connection, who’s lived in the region for more than three decades. “Sugarloaf is pure Pennsylvania. You've got trout streams, mountain views and a sense of community that’s hard to describe unless you’ve lived it. It’s peaceful, grounded and refreshingly real.”
Along with agriculture, Sugarloaf Township’s economy is bolstered by tourism. The community has historic landmarks, such as the Jamison City B&S Train Station, and lodgings close to a beloved state park, with options ranging from campgrounds to boutique hotels.
Single-family mountain homes for well below the national median
Properties in Sugarloaf Township range from early 1900s farmhouses with historic charm to ranch-style homes surrounded by trees and sprawling country estates with acreage. “When clients ask me about Sugarloaf, I tell them: It’s where you go when you want to hear the crickets at night, see the stars again, and finally have space to breathe,” Orzolek says. The median price for a single-family home is around $180,000, significantly below both the state and national medians. Most homes fall between $100,000 and $245,000 and come with striking mountain views.
Potential buyers should note that Columbia County has a relatively moderate risk of landslides and riverine flooding, according to FEMA’s National Risk Index. The agency’s flood maps indicate that some properties along Fishing Creek rest within or near flood hazard areas.
Connecting with nature in the Endless Mountains
Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Endless Mountain region, Sugarloaf Township is close to hiking trails and hunting grounds. The community is bounded to the north by Pennsylvania’s largest state game lands, State Game Lands Number 13, which stretches more than 50,000 acres. In addition to hunting, trapping and fishing, the expansive wilderness offers miles of trails for horseback riding, mountain biking and snowmobiling. Hiking trails lead to more than 20 waterfalls in Ricketts Glen State Park, which also features Lake Jean, a popular spot for watersports in the summer and ice fishing in the winter. Various campgrounds dot the area. Grassmere Park Campground offers tree-shaded sites close to Fishing Creek, while Mill Race Golf & Camping Resort features a public 18-hole golf course. The closest playground is in Benton at Benton Community Park.
Red Rock has local flavor, while Bloomsburg offers national retailers
Sugarloaf Township’s few stores and restaurants dot Red Rock, Jamison City and Central. Orzolek says residents love to get ice cream from Red Rock Scoop, which also serves American favorites, including burgers and hot dogs. Next door, Red Rock Corner Store is a popular supply stop for hikers and campers heading into Ricketts Glen State Park. Along with groceries and outdoor equipment, the store serves deli sandwiches. The historic and family-owned Jamison City Hotel Restaurant & Bar draws in visitors and regulars for its penny-covered bar tops, elevated comfort food and live music.
More mom-and-pop-type options are south of the township in Benton. National retailers are less than 30 miles away outside Bloomsburg . The town, which also offers boutique shopping and institutions such as the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum, is home to the nearest full-service hospital, Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital.
Sugarloaf Township is zoned for the Benton Area School District
The Benton Area School District serves six boroughs and townships, including Sugarloaf Township. The district earns a B-minus overall rating from Niche and serves about 625 students across three schools. L.R. Appleman Elementary receives a B rating. Benton Area Middle-Senior High is housed under one roof. The middle school gets a C-plus, while the high school earns a B-minus.
Long drives are part of the lifestyle in northeastern Columbia County
Sugarloaf Township is a car-dependent community with winding, narrow roads that connect to three two-lane highways: state Routes 118, 487 and 239. Benton is about 9 miles away, and the larger town of Bloomsburg is a little less than 30 miles away. Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is less than 40 miles away.
