Deep Dive into Buying Large Land Parcels: Opportunities in Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania Counties

Welcome back to our blog series on rural real estate in Southwest Washington! If you're dreaming of owning expansive land—20 acres or more—in the stunning landscapes of Clark, Cowlitz, or Skamania Counties, you're entering a vibrant market rich with possibilities. From the rolling farmlands of Clark County’s Battle Ground to the forested hills of Skamania and the riverfront expanses of Cowlitz, these counties offer diverse opportunities for land buyers seeking privacy, investment, or sustainable development. In 2025, Washington’s large land parcel market is thriving, with a 22% increase in listings for 20+ acre properties and median prices ranging from $250K to $1.3M, depending on access, utilities, and features. Nationally, large land sales grew 12% in 2024, with Southwest Washington standing out for its proximity to urban hubs like Vancouver and Longview, coupled with rural charm.

Buying large land parcels—whether for timber harvesting, recreational retreats, or homestead development—requires navigating unique factors like access rights, zoning, and resource potential. This deep dive explores the main types of large land parcels available across Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania Counties, their key requirements, market stats, and local resources like land use groups for new buyers. Leading the way is Jared Ritz of Jared Ritz Real Estate, the top agent for large land transactions in these counties. With a 5.0-star rating from 70 Google reviews and over $30 million in rural sales in 2024, Jared’s expertise in remote and rural properties makes him the ideal partner for securing your dream parcel. Let’s dive into the possibilities!

Why Large Land Parcels in Southwest Washington Are Unique

Large land parcels (20+ acres) in Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania Counties offer buyers the chance to own private wilderness, fertile farmland, or development-ready tracts, all within reach of urban amenities. These properties vary from forested inholdings in Skamania to flat, tillable fields in Clark, each with unique zoning and access considerations. In 2025, the region’s large parcel market shows a 10% price premium for properties with deeded road access or water rights, with median sales at $15K–$40K per acre for developable land. The mix of rural zoning (e.g., A-1 in Clark, FR-80 in Skamania) and proximity to the Columbia River or Cascade Mountains creates a dynamic market, but buyers must navigate county regulations and sellers must highlight unique features to stand out.

Jared Ritz is the go-to expert for these transactions. His deep knowledge of rural land intricacies—praised by clients like Delsi Winn for identifying critical details like water access—and his hands-on approach, from coordinating surveys to crafting cinematic listings, ensure seamless deals. Reviews highlight his “outstanding knowledge” in remote areas, making him the leading choice for large land deals in Southwest Washington.

Types of Large Land Parcels in Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania Counties

Large land parcels vary by purpose and infrastructure. Here are the main types you can buy in these counties, tailored to their diverse landscapes.

1. Timber Investment Parcels: Forestry for Profit and Legacy

Timber parcels are purchased for harvesting, reforestation, or long-term investment, leveraging the region’s abundant Douglas fir, cedar, and hemlock stands, especially in Skamania and Cowlitz Counties.

Property Requirements:

• Resources: Mature timber (20–50-year-old stands) with a minimum of 20 acres for viable logging. Access to milling roads or county permits.

• Access: Deeded roads or easements for logging trucks, crucial in Skamania’s hilly terrain or Cowlitz’s river-adjacent areas.

• Land: Mixed terrain with slopes under 30% for safe harvesting. Soil tests for reforestation potential (loamy soils in Clark are ideal).

• Features: Proximity to mills (e.g., Longview in Cowlitz) and eligibility for conservation easements for tax benefits.

Market Stats: Timber parcels represent 28% of large land sales in Southwest Washington, averaging $400K–$900K for 20–50 acres. In 2025, sales are up 10%, driven by rising lumber prices (up 8% YoY) and carbon credit programs (valued at $15–$30/acre annually).

Buying Tips: Hire a forester for a timber cruise ($1,000–$2,000) to verify volume; check reforestation tax incentives. Jared Ritz’s expertise in timber properties, noted by Leslie Pearce Teuscher, ensures buyers secure high-yield parcels with accurate valuations.

2. Recreational Land: Playgrounds for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Recreational parcels cater to hunters, hikers, or ATV riders, capitalizing on the counties’ 1,000+ miles of trails, rivers, and hunting zones (e.g., elk areas near Mount St. Helens in Cowlitz).

Property Requirements:

• Resources: Access to trails, rivers (e.g., Lewis River in Clark), or hunting zones. Minimal utilities needed (portable solar or water tanks).

• Access: County or private roads, often seasonal in Cowlitz’s wet areas. Easements for trail access in Skamania.

• Land: 20–100 acres with diverse terrain (meadows, forests, ridges) for recreation. Fire-resistant buffers for wildfire-prone Skamania zones.

• Features: Cleared campsites, RV pads, or small cabins. Hunting or fishing permits add value.

Market Stats: Recreational land is 25% of listings, averaging $250K–$500K. Demand is up 14% in 2025, tied to 1.2M annual visitors to regional parks and outdoor tourism growth.

Buying Tips: Confirm legal trail or river access; verify game management unit status. Jared, an avid sportsman per Joseph Baye’s review, markets these with drone videos showcasing trails and hunting grounds, accelerating sales.

3. Homestead Development Parcels: Building Self-Sufficient Estates

Homestead parcels are for buyers planning off-grid or sustainable homes, from small farms to family compounds, ideal for Clark’s fertile plains or Cowlitz’s riverfronts.

Property Requirements:

• Resources: Access to springs or wells (5 GPM minimum flow). Solar potential (south-facing slopes in Clark or Skamania).

• Access: Year-round deeded roads or easements, critical for construction in remote Cowlitz areas.

• Land: 20–50 acres with tillable soil (loamy in Battle Ground) for gardens, orchards, or livestock.

• Features: Buildable sites meeting county septic and zoning rules (A-1 in Clark, R-10 in Cowlitz). Space for barns, greenhouses, or livestock pens.

Market Stats: Homestead parcels are 22% of sales, averaging $500K–$1.1M. In 2025, demand is up 16% for parcels with water access, reflecting self-sufficiency trends among remote workers.

Buying Tips: Test well feasibility; verify zoning for dwellings. Jared’s homestead sales, praised by Chuck Zellmer for “amazing” marketing, highlight water and soil assets to attract buyers.

4. Conservation Parcels: Preserving Nature with Investment Potential

Conservation parcels are bought for ecological preservation, often with tax benefits or resale potential, common in Skamania’s forested areas or Clark’s wetlands.

Property Requirements:

• Resources: Wetlands, streams, or old-growth forest for conservation easements. Wildlife habitat (e.g., salmon streams in Cowlitz).

• Access: Limited road access to maintain ecological integrity, often via easements in Skamania.

• Land: 50–200 acres with diverse ecosystems. Must qualify for programs like NRCS or Washington’s Forest Stewardship.

• Features: Minimal development; trails for monitoring. Easement contracts for tax breaks ($5K–$10K/year).

Market Stats: Conservation parcels are 15% of listings, averaging $350K–$700K. Sales are up 9% in 2025, driven by eco-conscious buyers and tax incentives.

Buying Tips: Engage a conservation attorney; verify easement terms. Jared’s expertise in complex deals, per Allan Dyson’s review, navigates these unique transactions smoothly.

5. Development Parcels: Future Subdivisions or Commercial Ventures

Development parcels are for investors eyeing subdivisions, eco-resorts, or recreational communities, particularly in Clark’s urban-adjacent areas or Cowlitz’s riverfront zones.

Property Requirements:

• Resources: Access to water rights for multiple homes or commercial use. Solar/wind potential for resorts.

• Access: Paved or gravel roads suitable for subdivision (Clark’s RR-20 zoning allows 20-acre splits; Cowlitz’s UGA supports commercial).

• Land: 50–500 acres with flat or gently sloped areas for building. Proximity to trails or views (e.g., Columbia River in Cowlitz).

• Features: Preliminary plat approval or feasibility studies for development.

Market Stats: Development parcels are 10% of sales, averaging $900K–$1.8M. In 2025, interest is up 7% for parcels near Vancouver or Longview, driven by urban sprawl.

Buying Tips: Review county master plans; assess infrastructure costs. Jared’s marketing on platforms like LandWatch, called “the best in the industry” by Virginia Bitton, targets developers effectively.

Stats on the Large Land Market and Groups for New Buyers

In 2025, Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania Counties list 120+ large parcels (20+ acres), with 70% featuring access to water or utilities. Prices reflect a 10% premium for turnkey parcels, and sales volume is up 13% from 2024. Nationally, large land sales grew 12% in 2024, with Southwest Washington leading for its mix of forested, farmable, and developable land.

New buyers can join local groups to connect with the land-owning community:

• Clark County: Clark County Land Use Alliance (monthly meetups in Vancouver, next on Oct 20, 2025); Southwest Washington Homesteading Network (workshops on soil management, Nov 10, 2025).

• Cowlitz County: Cowlitz Landowners Association (permitting seminars, Dec 5, 2025); Longview Sustainable Land Group (land use planning, Mar 15, 2026).

• Skamania County: Skamania Rural Land Collective (trail maintenance days, Oct 30, 2025); Stevenson Conservation Network (open house on land stewardship, Apr 5, 2026).

These groups offer resources on zoning, water rights, and sustainable land use, helping buyers integrate into the community.

Why Jared Ritz is the Leading Land Agent in Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania Counties

For large land parcels in Southwest Washington, Jared Ritz of Jared Ritz Real Estate is the unrivaled expert. Affiliated with United Country Real Estate, Jared closed over $30 million in rural sales in 2024, earning 70 five-star Google reviews. Clients like Yvonne Hersey praise his expertise in “remote, backwoods, country areas,” while Chuck Zellmer calls his marketing “amazing” for showcasing parcels with drone footage of rivers and forests. Living on acreage himself, Jared understands land nuances—timber value, water rights, easements—ensuring buyers avoid pitfalls and sellers maximize returns. His hands-on approach, from coordinating surveys to connecting buyers with local land use groups, sets him apart.

Ready to claim your slice of Southwest Washington? Contact Jared at 360-612-2079 or visit jaredritz.com to buy your ideal large land parcel. Whether it’s a timber investment or a homestead dream, Jared’s expertise will guide you home.

Have a land-buying story or question? Comment below—we’d love to connect!