(Wapati is the native name for elk that you’ll see everywhere, too.) The man at the store said that he, and most around here, don’t ever get tired of seeing the elk. There are elk decorations everywhere and endless elk-themed businesses. (He also said they can usually be found in town.) Sure enough two massive elk were chewing on a lawn. Didn’t see any, but when we stopped at the Benezette Store and Restaurant, the man casually told us there were two bulls across the street. The woman at the Elk View Diner told us to check out the churchyard in town. We got the consolation prize of tracks, but saw no elk. Some you just pull off the road and watch from your car, others have elaborate blinds or seated viewing areas. When we visited in Jan., 2006, we toured the local official viewing areas. Probably the easiest thing is to head to Benezette. The place to see elk are less than an hour off Route 80. Western Pennsylvania is where you’d want to stop overnight on the way to the midwest–it’s roughly halfway and it’s easily the most gorgeous area you’ll see on the way.

The NE PA Great Outdoors provides a driving map and a brochure they’ll mail you.įor travellers, the great thing is the easy access. There are elk viewing areas around Moore Hill in Cameron County and Benezette in Elk County. The largest elk herd in the east, about 552 as of the last count in 2003, roams wild in western Pennsylvania.

Benezette pa elk