A guide to viewing Pennsylvania's elk
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We got lucky when an elk just walked in front of our car outside the Elk Country Visitor Center in 2022. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
Most Pennsylvanians appreciate the fall cooldown, but none more so than our storied elk.
Why it matters: The original Keystone State elk population was wiped out in the late 19th century, but the descendants of Rocky Mountain elk reintroduced here over 100 years ago now thrive in North Central Pennsylvania and have become a major tourist draw.
🍁 The intrigue: The start of fall is the best time to view Pennsylvania's roaming elk herd, when males move into the fields to call with their high-pitched bugle and spar with each other in hopes of attracting mates.
- Head to the Pennsylvania Wilds in September and October for the best chance to see elk.
🦌 By the numbers: There are currently about 1,400 elk in the state, the largest free-roaming herd on the East Coast, according to the state's Department of Natural Resources.
- This population is descended from 167 elk that were introduced between 1913 and 1915.
🏞️ Zoom in: Benezette in the aptly named Elk County is the best place to start your elk voyage. It's about 2.5 hours northeast of Pittsburgh.
- Drive the 10-mile Winslow Hill Road loop leaving from Benezette and stop at each viewing area — Winslow Hill, Woodring Farm and Dents Run.
- After the loop, stop by the Elk Country Visitor Center, which has a few viewing spots.
- The dam at Sinnemahoning State Park is a great place to spot elk, with a high perch and large open fields on the backside of the dam where elk graze.
🌄 Pro tip: Wake up early. In my experience, the elk are most active right as the sun rises and then descend into the woods an hour or so after sunrise.
- The Elk Country Visitor Center doesn't open until 8am, so hit up the nearby viewing centers first.
- Dusk is also recommended, but I have only ever spotted elk at dawn.
🔭 Bring binoculars! Only the Elk Country Visitor Center has public telescopes.
- Don't expect the elk to be close — they are typically very wary of humans.
- Stay quiet so as not to scare them.
🫎 Fun fact: Elk are the second largest species of the deer family, behind moose.
Go deeper: More spots to view elk, as recommended by VisitPA.