Benezette elk road trip is a must, hidden gem
As an outdoors writer, I am constantly looking for cool ideas and experiences to share with my readers, especially when it comes to road tripping, fun activities, new hobbies, etc. Fall is definitely a time when outdoor enthusiasts elevate their searches for the unusual, the interesting or the never attempted. Listening to a couple of fellas recently discussing ideas for fall activities that they could do with their wives, as a foursome, I overheard one gentleman say to the other, “What’s that elk place?” When neither one could come up with the answer, I leaned over and whispered, “Benezette.” The junior member added, “No, I mean the place where the elk come out and you can look at them up close.” Again I added, “Yes, I think you mean Benezette?”
About this time the waitress stepped in to pour more coffee and the gentleman asked her, “Where’s that place that you and your husband went where you saw the giant elk?” The young lady responded that it was a place called “Benezette.” Immediately the good-natured razzing began from the older friend about this destination. A number of other patrons began to chime in with their personal elk experiences, but I was surprised by the number of folks who seemed to be outdoors folks who had never heard of Benezette.
Whether you are simply attempting to get your first look at an elk (up close) or maybe you want to couple a trip with hiking, biking, fishing, sight seeing or a fall foliage tour, Benezette makes a great spot from which to begin your adventure. The Elk County (not named by accident) Visitor Center, located at 950 Winslow Hill Road in Benezette offers information regarding the elk herd, exhibits, artifacts, items of general outdoor interest and much more. They can put you in touch with great places to eat, lodge and visit while in the area. The center is also located adjacent to nearby viewing areas where one can not only see but hear the elk herd on any given day or evening. When I mention encounters at close range, I mean possibly very close. At times we have seen the “elk show” from 100 yards or closer. Free tip: Take your binoculars and camera with you to really check out the action. Other times the action is much, much closer… as in mere feet away – close enough to smell the action.
As with most newbies, our first trip to Benezette began with a trip to the visitor center. From there, we took a ride into town, which can be the best place of all to witness the wapiti in its natural surroundings. Depending upon the day/evening, be prepared for some serious elk traffic jams. As you cruise town, an elk may appear anywhere and with them come throngs of people. Where the masses are, so are the elk to be found. They step into the front yards of homes. One of the mamas may stroll through the streets of town with her little one at her side at any given time. We were having ice cream in the parking lot of a local creamery when one of the big bulls strolled down the hill and began rubbing a small orchard tree with his enormous antlers. The steam from his nostrils was majestic. The odor is something one doesn’t forget any time soon but the sound of his attack on the tree was something that is forever etched in my memory banks. Breathtaking to be sure but also a bit unnerving as there are no fences between the tourists and Mother Nature.
Occasionally, a visitor is treated to a bit of sparring between these magnificent animals, depending upon what time of the year one chooses to visit. Personally, I find the mid-September to mid-October range to be most productive. It’s certainly not too late to think about planning a trip this fall.
Once you have toured the visitor center and made a trip downtown, you are ready to get out on the scenic byways, away from it all. OK, full disclosure, you’re probably not going to get away from it all, but there are spots where you can see numerous animals, away from town and with less viewing competition. The driving portion tends to add an adventuresome tinge.
If viewing the elk is not enough in and of itself, the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon is just a couple of hours up the road to the Northeast in Wellsboro. There is a ton of great hunting and fishing located nearby. Both hiking and biking trails are plentiful in the area. Maybe you’re up for a horseback ride? There are a couple of great gun shops in the region for those who are so inclined.
No matter where your tastes lie there is something for everyone, provided that you are intrigued by the elk and their resurgence into the Pennsylvania wilds. This attraction is for families, couples, singles, and groups alike.
I hope your first visit to elk country proves all this and more.
Dave Bates writes a weekly outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter. He can be reached at alphaomegashootingsolutions@gmail.com