Let's GO! Northwest Pennsylvania Great Outdoors On-Line Magazine of People, Places, & Events

Where to go Elk Watching
Forget the Zoo
See the Real Thing!
 Anybody can go to the zoo to see exotic creatures, but it takes a real adventurer to seek out the fabulous wildlife of Pennsylvania. Who cares about the lowly leopard when you can see the majestic bull elk right here in his natural habitat. Pennsylvania has the only wild and free elk herd east of Mississippi River. You will marvel at the huge five-foot racks of antlers in summer or fall, or come back in the spring to see the babies born. The main range of the elk herd is bounded by Saint MarysBull Elk then east to Emporium on Route 120 (26 miles), south to Driftwood still on Route 120 (10 miles), west through Benezette to Weedville on Route 555 (26 miles), and north back to St. Marys on Route 255 (12 miles). The most popular elkviewing sites are Winslow Hill in Benezette, which has two lookout areas with off-road parking. Listen for the bugling male elks beginning in August, the start of their annual mating season. Another spot to 		try is Dents Run, just east of Winslow Hill on Route 555. Dents Run is tributary of Sinnemahoning Creek and has long been a favorite of fishermen and hikers. The trails around Dents Run are excellent places to catch a glimpse of elk. You might also check out Gilbert Farm Elk Viewing Area, a panoramic vista overlooking open fields and former mining sites. Ongoing environmental reclamation is slowly restoring the area; elk, turkeys, and deer frequent the grassy mountaintops and hillsides that were once strip mines. Gilbert Farm is also a choice spot for bird watching for indigo buntings, eastern bluebirds, eastern meadowlarks, and house wrens abound. Each elk viewing area has many trails and dirt roads available for exploration. Stay on the lookout for other wildlife too including white-tailed deer, black bear, fox and wild turkeys. ■ Always be sure to respect private property and use caution while traveling in this region. Never try to approach a wild animal. Elk, deer and all wild animals are unpredictable. Elk Viewing
Elk Viewing Sites
Winslow Hill (SGL 311)
Most visited elk viewing site, two established viewing areas, offroad parking, pavilion for weekend presentations during the fall viewing season, portable restrooms (early August through October). Location: Winslow Hill Road, 3 miles from its intersection with Route 555 in Benezette. 		Sinnemahoning State Park
Small resident elk herd, viewing platform, off-road parking, other activities and opportunities for wildlife viewing, including nesting bald eagles, overnight camping available. Location: Viewing area along Route 872, 14.5 miles north of intersection with Route 120 at Sinnemahoning.

Let’s GO! NW Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Magazine of People, Places & Events