According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon is home to around 76,000 elk. When you catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures crossing the road or hanging out in a field, it’s always a pleasure to watch them, but those encounters can be fleeting and rare. There are four places in the Beaver State to view protected elk herds, but Dean Creek is the largest, and you’re almost always guaranteed to see elk during your visit. Take a look:
You’ll find the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area along Highway 38, three miles east of Reedsport.
Bureau of Land Management/flickr
The Bureau of Land Management keeps several pastures here as a refuge for around 100 Roosevelt elk. The area covers 1,040 acres of fields and forest.
charlottesparkle/Tripadvisor
You’ll find several pull-out spots along the road where you can view the elk, but you’ll definitely want to check out the main viewing area. There’s an interpretive center where you can learn all about the elk, and a viewing deck with benches.
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Bring your own binoculars, or use the viewers on the deck.
Bureau of Land Management/flickr
Roosevelt elk are such beautiful animals! They’re the largest land mammal in Oregon, and can reach up to 1,000 pounds. This place gives you the opportunity to observe them for hours. Just make sure to stay behind the fence at all times, and keep your pets on leash.
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Sometimes the elk are fairly far away from the viewing areas…
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…and other times, they’re quite close. If you’re lucky, you might find them grazing right up next to the fence!
Stephanie Sarles/flickr
The herd lives here year-round, so you can almost always get some great views.
Bureau of Land Management/flickr
If wildlife photography is your thing, Dean Creek is pure heaven. If you hang out long enough, you’re certain to get some stunning shots of these majestic creatures.
Bureau of Land Management/flickr
Visit in the fall, when you might get to witness bull elks competing for mates during the rut…
Bureau of Land Management/flickr
…and in the late spring, you’ll see new calves.
Tony Cyphert/Google
You’ll see more than just elk at this viewing area. Keep an eye out for all kinds of wildlife, particularly birds like this gorgeous Great blue heron.
Bureau of Land Management/flickr The Dean Creek Elk Viewing Are is open year-round, during daylight hours. It’s fully-accessible and also offers restrooms. It’s free to visit.
If you’d like to see more elk, check out the Elkhorn Wildlife Area in eastern Oregon, Finely National Wildlife Refuge near Corvallis, and the Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area in northwest Oregon.
Bureau of Land Management/flickr
charlottesparkle/Tripadvisor
JoleneMH/Tripadvisor
Rick Obst/flickr
Stephanie Sarles/flickr
Tony Cyphert/Google
The Dean Creek Elk Viewing Are is open year-round, during daylight hours. It’s fully-accessible and also offers restrooms. It’s free to visit.
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