By the 1870s, there were no elk left in Pennsylvania. As more and more settlers pushed west, the number of elk diminished. However, before European settlers came to the Americas, elk herds roamed across much of the east coast. Truth be told, I was even surprised that there were elk this far east. When I first started uncovering the many great things to see and do in Pennsylvania, I was surprised to learn that the state was home to the largest elk herd east of the Rockies. We will make a small commission from these links if you order something at no additional cost to you. It was worth a visit if you like wildlife.Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. We then drove to the last viewing area (on Rt 555) where there is a wooden blind that you can hide behind to see the elk up close, but the elk weren't there that morning. There was free parking there (actually at all viewing sites) and we got some good photos and videos of the elk in their natural habitat, you can listen to the noises they make and watch them interact with each other. The next viewing area from the Center didn't show any elk, but the 3rd place had elk, about 35 of so of them, in a field on the edge of a forest. The elk were not there at this particular viewing point (it was about 11am), but one can drive your car to the other 4 viewing places in and around the visitor center. There is a viewing area outside of the visitor center a very short walk down a path to a stone wall to look out and view the elk. The movie gives special effects to make it feel like you are out in the fields with the elk. There is an interactive 4D movie, it's $3 per adult, that lasts about 30 mins. Free to look inside where there are a few rooms of activities for kids, info regarding Elks and the herd population, and a gift shop. Plenty of free parking at the Visitor Center. The Elk Country Visitors Center is a must do in Elk County. I would highly recommend that you stop at the visitor center in the morning and make reservations (or call to make reservations) because by the end of the day, they are filled up. So, in about a 45 minute wagon ride, we got to see it all. We saw bull elk chasing females and a few even mated with females. We saw some babies still trying to suckle, but the mother's were pushing them away. We got to see it all! There were nine bull elk in the herd and they were bugling and fighting with their great racks over the females. We visited in the end of October, which is the end of rut season. It was absolutely beautiful and awesome!! The wagon ride took us right into the middle of aġ00+ herd of elk. The center has 10-15 acres where the elk can safely roam (no hunting allowed in the area). They have many viewing areas you can walk to, also.īut, the very best thing to do at the Visitor Center is to sign up for the horse pulled wagon ride to an area where the elk herd often hangs out. And wonderful interactive stations to learn about the history of the elk in Elk County and also history of the area. This center has been open for two years and it is absolutely beautiful! They have a great 3D movie to view. We visited this beautiful Elk County Visitor Center in Benezett, PA in October, 2012. I don't recommend and I am hoping perhaps this organization can revisit another way to take the wagon around the property. It is so wrong and inhumane and seeing the horses suffer are not worth seeing Elk. When we got back the horses had nasal flaring and appeared exhausted and only to have another ride out. They pre-treat the horses with bug spray on the lower legs and give them water and stop intermittently so they can rest during the ride. Yes they are Belgian horses and yes they are breed to work but I don't feel you need to use horses. First, you have a very heavy covered wagon then add 20 -30 200 +lbs adults and 80+ degree temperatures and make these horses carry the wagon and all the people: I think it was horrible treatment to the horses. My problem is the horse drawn covered wagon: I felt sorry for the horses: I can't believe in this day you can't find a eco friendly way of moving the wagon without using horses. We took the horse wagon ride that ran about 30-45 minutes: it takes you to the back side of the visitor center down and back hoping to see Elk: we saw a few as well as wild turkeys. There are approx 1100 Elk in 5 counties of PA size of Yellowstone. The Elk Country visitor center is very nice: beautiful wood and very educational exhibits and large gift shop.
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