Welcome to the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette, PA where you can discover the wilds of Pennsylvania through the conservation efforts of the Keystone Elk Country Alliance.

In the Great Room at the Elk Country Visitor Center, you can find interactive displays and activities to learn about conservation and Pennsylvania’s wildlife.

At one time, the eastern woodland elk numbered over 100,000 in our area. Due to habitat loss, European expansion, and overhunting, elk were extirpated (removed completely) from our state in the 1860’s.

Howard Eaton rounded up 50 elk for release in Clearfield and Clinton Counties in 1913. In 1916 he brought in an additional 100 elk from Yellowstone National Park to Pennsylvania.

Since the reintroduction of elk back to our region in 1913, the population of elk has grown to about 1,400 animals in 10 counties.