The white-tailed deer is the most numerous and well-known member of the deer family in Pennsylvania, but the state is also home to another, larger member of the family Cervidae — one that’s definitely worth the road trip to see.
Located about four hours northwest of the Lehigh Valley, the largest free-roaming elk herd in the northeastern United States lives across a roughly 1,000-square-mile area, with Benezette and the surrounding portion of Elk County serving as the destination for those who want to see these animals.
Each year, this region of north-central Pennsylvania draws tens of thousands of visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of wild wapiti — another word for elk. This is especially true of the large-antlered bulls that captivate onlookers with their high-pitched bugles and occasional sparring with other males during the rut or mating season.
Originally native to Pennsylvania, elk were eradicated from the state by the 1870s, leading to reintroduction efforts between 1913 and 1926 focused on bringing in Rocky Mountain elk from the West.Mark Demko | lehighvalleylive.com contributor
Originally native to Pennsylvania, elk were eradicated from the state by the 1870s. However, the Pennsylvania Game Commission undertook efforts to reintroduce the animal in several locations, including neighboring Carbon and Monroe counties, between 1913 and 1926 by bringing in Rocky Mountain elk from the West.
According to the PGC, hunting seasons for antlered bulls took place from 1923 to 1931, with participants harvesting 98 elk before hunting ended in 1932. In the ensuing years, a continued decline in the population resulted in only 14 animals remaining in the state by 1936, all of them located in Elk and neighboring Cameron counties. Over the decades, however, the state’s elk population and range grew slowly, and today the elk herd spread across Elk, Cameron, Clinton, Clearfield and neighboring counties numbers more than 1,000 animals, making it a huge draw for tourists interested in wildlife viewing.
For someone planning a trip to Elk County, the first stop needs to be the Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA) Visitor Center just north of Benezette. According to KECA, more than 500,000 people annually visit the center, which is surrounded by 245 acres of land managed for elk, providing exceptional opportunities to see the animals.
The visitor center offers a short film highlighting the history of elk in the state and hosts a variety of weekend educational programs focused on wapiti and other wildlife. It also features a large gift shop, diorama on elk and a discovery room where people can learn about the different wildlife species that call Pennsylvania home.
Leading from the Keystone Elk Country Alliance Visitor Center are three walking trails along the property’s elk viewing areas, making it easy for people to see the elk up close and personal. Mark Demko | lehighvalleylive.com contributor
Leading from the visitor center are three easily accessible walking trails that run adjacent to the property’s elk viewing areas, making it easy for people to see the elk up close and personal. As with most wildlife, prime elk sighting times are right after first light and the hour or two before dark.
As far as when to visit elk country, the rut in September and October is the prime time since it offers the best opportunity to see large-antlered bulls. These majestic specimens can weigh up to 1,000 pounds and reach 50 to 60 inches tall at the shoulder. Summertime is also popular with those who want to see newborn calves, while winter provides opportunities to view elk without the crowds that come with summer and early fall.
If you’re looking for a unique way to experience the elk, then consider KECA’s covered wagon tour. The 45-minute, horse-drawn wagon ride shares the elk conservation success story as participants travel into the more isolated areas of the visitor center grounds, increasing the likelihood they’ll see a few of the animals.
Those looking for a unique way to experience Pennsylvania’s elk should consider the Keystone Elk Country Alliance Visitor Center’s covered wagon tour — a 45-minute, horse-drawn wagon ride into the more isolated areas of the visitor center grounds.Mark Demko | lehighvalleylive.com contributor
Wagon rides take place Thursdays through Mondays from late August through late October and cost $25 per person. Tickets for the ride go on sale at the visitor center at 10 a.m. each day and are sold on a first-come basis, with most of the day’s tours selling out in rapid fashion.
In addition to the KECA Visitor Center, there are a handful of other popular elk viewing areas nearby. These include the Winslow Hill, Woodring Farm and Dents Run viewing areas, all located within a short drive of each other off Winslow Hill Road. The Winslow Hill Viewing Area, located on State Game Lands 311, is especially popular due to the panoramic views of the surrounding open hillsides and stunning sunsets.
As far as lodging, there are inns, lodges and motels in the region, including the nearby city of St. Marys, but most fill up well in advance, especially for the prime elk viewing season in fall. If you’re thinking about planning a trip to Benezette and want to stay in the area, it’s a good idea to secure your accommodations a year or more in advance if possible.
Pennsylvania’s elk herd spread across Elk, Cameron, Clinton, Clearfield and neighboring counties numbers more than 1,000 animals, making it a huge draw for tourists interested in wildlife viewing.Mark Demko | lehighvalleylive.com contributor
Pennsylvania’s 2025 archery season for elk starts Saturday for those who secured a permit through the Game Commission’s lottery system. Visit the commission’s website to learn more about opportunities to hunt elk in the Keystone State.
For more information on the Keystone Elk Country Alliance Visitor Center and elk viewing, visit experienceelkcountry.com. Details on lodging are available at the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau’s website, visitpago.com/counties/elk-county.
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