Elk in Pennsylvania

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Current estimation of the elk herd (2022) in Pennsylvania is 1400. Elk in Pennsylvania were totally killed off somewhere between 1877 and 1913. Then in 1913 the Pennsylvania Game commission released 72 elk: 50 from Yellowstone and 22 from a private reserve in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, into Pennsylvania. In the years beginning in 1913 and ending in 1926, a total of 177 Rocky Mountain Elk were released into the state.

We took this picture of this Elk on August 28, 2008 near Benezette PA.

The best places to view Elk in PA are as follows:

  • The Elk Country Visitor Center, is situated a few miles to the northeast of the town of Benezette. It sits on 245 acres of private property, and is considered to be one of the best spots in Pennsylvania to view these magnificent animals in a natural setting.
  • Kettle Creek State Park in Clinton County
  • Hicks Run Viewing Area – 8 miles from Driftwood PA
  • Beaver run Dam in Weedville PA
  • Thunder Mountain Equestrian Trails near Benezette PA in Elk County
  • Elk Trail near Benezette PA in Elk County
  • Winslow Hill Viewing area near Benezette PA in Elk County
  • Dents Run Elk Viewing Area near Benezette PA in Elk County
  • Sinnemahoning State Park in Cameron County