Fall has arrived and that means love is in the air – at least for Pennsylvania’s storied elk. And there’s no better time or place to see the East Coast’s largest free-ranging elk herd than in the Pennsylvania Wilds region during the months of September and October. This is when the region’s fields and woodlands are alive with the distinctive bugling sounds from the resident bull elk as they try to impress and capture the hearts of the herd’s ladies with their vocalizations and antler sparring contests.
The steep mountains and deep valleys of northcentral PA provide the perfect habitat for these animals. While you might spot elk at any time of day, dawn and dusk offer your best chances. We want you to be safe, so please be sure to keep your distance. Those six-foot-wide antlers pack a punch.
1. Elk Country Visitor Center
People are also reading…
Benezette
Discover the wonders of PA’s elk at the Elk Country Visitor Center. Nestled on 250 scenic acres, the site has wheelchair-accessible trails leading to elk viewing areas, plus interactive exhibits, live music events, and educational sessions for children, making it one of the best places to see elk in PA. The center’s gift shop features the work of local artisans and craft makers.
2. Dents Run Elk Viewing Area
Benezette
The Dents Run Elk Viewing Area is one of Pennsylvania’s premier spots for observing. It’s easy to see why with its views, fields, and large wooded areas that are frequented by elk. The viewing area has a covered stage, benches, bathrooms, and handicap-accessible parking.
3. Woodring Farm Elk Viewing Area
Benezette
The Woodring Farm Elk Viewing Area is an interpretive three-quarter-mile, easy hiking trail. It encircles 81 acres of elk-viewing habitat with educational panels featuring artwork from local high school students. Take a guided tour along the trail or venture to see these animals on your own.
4. Hoover Farm Viewing Area
Driftwood
Tucked away in the heart of the Moshannon State Forest, the Hoover Farm Viewing Area offers an accessible wildlife viewing blind overlooking an opening for wildlife. The farm’s food plots are a magnet for elk, making it a spot to capture photos.
5. Winslow Hill Elk Viewing Area
Benezette
The Winslow Hill Elk Viewing Area is another spot for elk viewing in PA. Offering a walk-up viewing area atop a mountain, guests can overlook a large meadow frequented by elk. There are also numerous trails and dirt roads to explore, and you might see white-tailed deer, foxes, and wild turkeys.
6. Hicks Run Viewing Area
Driftwood
The Hicks Run Viewing Area offers a covered, handicap-accessible elk viewing area, providing opportunities to see elk near Benezette. The animals are drawn to this spot all year long, foraging for high-quality morsels. For the best chance to see the elk in their habitat, visit the viewing area early and late in the day.
7. Sinnemahoning State Park
Austin
Sinnemahoning State Park spans 1,900 acres of valleys, offering scenery and elk and wildlife habitats. The park also features a wildlife center with exhibits, making it a destination for nature enthusiasts.
8. Elk Scenic Drive
Clearfield
Embark along Elk Scenic Drive for an elk-viewing road trip. The 127-mile journey travels through five counties, three state forests, three state game lands, and four state parks with 23 designated stops along the way. Complete the drive in a day for the chance for elk viewing in PA, or explore over multiple days and plan a getaway to explore at your leisure, using the Elk Scenic Drive brochure as your guide.
