Elk Country Visitor Center - Keystone Elk Country Alliance

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Welcome to Our Visitor Center

The Elk Country Visitor Center is a world-class destination that sees an upward of 400,000 visitors every year. We occupy 245 acres of well-managed forage that is optimal for Elk Viewing. Our 4-D theater is a great way to immerse yourself in the history of the elk, as well as a four-season journey through the eyes of an elk. Many surprises await you in our sensory theater. We also have three easily accessible trails that are centrally located for optimal viewing. Our on-site gift shop, The Elk Country Store, features a variety of local artisan products, unique gifts, custom clothing and proudly only sells MADE IN THE USA products.

The covered wagon tour is a 45-minute guided tour throughout our 245 acres that tells a great conservation story as well as optimal elk viewing. The Con-Ed staff at the Center offer many different programs to meet each group’s specific interests. The Center is a smoke-free, pet-free facility. Click HERE for our policies. The Elk Country Visitor Center is a unique public/private partnership between the Keystone Elk Country Alliance and Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Watch & Learn

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Pennsylvania’s Elk Country and get a firsthand look at the exciting Elk Country Visitor Center and the spectacular Pennsylvania Wilds.

The Great Room

Come Experience Nature, And Then Some

Step into the Great Room at the Elk Country Visitor Center… and enter a world of learning, conservation and fun!

Designed for visitors of all ages and backgrounds, the Visitor Center offers interactive panels and educational displays rich with wildlife knowledge! You will learn all about the seasons, wildlife, history and culture of this amazing Pennsylvania Wilds region. The Great Room features hands-on exhibits, an indoor observation area and even a cozy fireplace where guests are invited to gather and relax.

The Great Room also contains touch screen activities that offer helpful, interactive presentations on plants and animals found within the PA Wilds. A diorama illustrates the elk and other wildlife you are likely to see on our trails. There are spotting scopes and panoramic windows overlooking the fields where elk often gather. You can even step on a scale to see how many humans it takes to equal the weight of one bull elk.

The Discovery Room

Discover Elk Country in a fun, exciting, and interactive way!

Created especially for children and families, the Discovery Room offers an unforgettable hands-on learning experience where curiosity comes to life. Explore interactive exhibits and activities featuring Pennsylvania’s elk and the incredible wildlife that calls the Pennsylvania Wilds home.

Ever wondered how heavy an elk antler really is? Want to stand face-to-face with a black bear or wild turkey? You can do just that! Touch, explore, and discover exhibits designed to encourage hands-on learning and inspire a lifelong appreciation for wildlife and conservation.

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet some of our live animal ambassadors! Get an up-close look at our Eastern Box Turtles and Black Rat Snake while learning about their habitats, behaviors, and the important role they play in Pennsylvania’s ecosystems. These live animal encounters create memorable experiences that help connect visitors of all ages to the natural world.

Whether you’re visiting for a few minutes or spending the afternoon exploring, the Discovery Room offers something for everyone. It’s the perfect place for learners of all ages to play, discover, and experience the wonders of Pennsylvania’s wild outdoors!

Hours of Operation

Experience Pennsylvania’s elk country like never before at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette, PA. Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning for another unforgettable adventure, our Visitor Center is your gateway to discovering one of the largest free-ranging elk herds in the northeastern United States.

Inside, you’ll find engaging exhibits, educational displays, a 4D theater experience, a welcoming gift shop, and knowledgeable staff ready to help you make the most of your visit. Step outside to enjoy scenic walking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, and breathtaking views of Pennsylvania’s beautiful elk country.

Because elk activity changes with the seasons, so do our operating hours. Please review our seasonal schedule before your visit to ensure you have plenty of time to explore everything the Visitor Center has to offer.

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE ELK COUNTRY VISITOR CENTER

Elk Viewing

Benezette and the surrounding elk range are some of the most scenic and remote regions of Pennsylvania. The wild elk range covers more than 3,000 square miles and the center is the hub of nature tourism. To increase your chances of seeing elk, time your viewing adventures for the hours just after daylight and the hours prior to dusk, when elk are most active as they move from feeding areas in open fields to sheltered woodlands where they spend most of the day.

Safety & Etiquette

For everyone’s safety, do not stop in the road, you must pull all four tires off the roadway onto the shoulder, do not park in private drives or enter private property. Do not block traffic. Never attempt to approach, touch, or feed elk (or other wildlife) this is not only unsafe, but illegal in Pennsylvania. Please remain a safe distance from all wildlife and remember elk are quick and unpredictable free-roaming animals. While at the center, please remember you must stay on the gravel paths, behind the viewing walls and you may not enter the fields or wooded areas surrounding the center. You can not stop to view elk along our driveway, or exit your vehicle to do so. Many locations are available at the center.

The Discovery Room at the Elk Country Visitor Center

Education in the Great Room at Elk Country Visitor Center

Be Elk Smart

Visiting Pennsylvania’s Elk Country offers a rare chance to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat. The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s ELK SMART initiative encourages visitors to enjoy the experience responsibly by respecting the elk’s space and helping preserve their wild nature for future generations.

Elk Smart