Spotting wildlife in their natural habitat is always an exciting thing to witness. Lucky for us, living in Northern California means we can find a variety of wildlife almost everywhere we turn. However, there’s one destination that should take priority if you’re a wildlife enthusiast looking to spot some majestic creatures. The Elk Meadow Picnic Area is notably a great place to view wild elk and it’s definitely worth stopping at. See how many of these beautiful animals you can spot during your time at this special place. You may be surprised by how many you find!
Located along the Northern California coast, Redwood National and State Parks is comprised of an immense woodland system complete with redwood trees, hiking trails, campgrounds, and incredible amounts of wildlife.
Most notably, Redwood National and State Parks are home to a majestic creature known as Roosevelt Elk. This subspecies of North American elk are one of the most commonly spotted animals in the area, and they are very unique to Northern California.
Although they can be spotted in abundance by visitors today, this wasn't always the case. As few as 15 Roosevelt elk were left in California by 1925. These beautiful animals were once on the brink of extinction, but no longer.
Measures were put into place to protect Roosevelt elk from disappearing along with the park's critical habitat, and they worked. Today, there are several prime viewing locations for Roosevelt elk throughout the coastal parks, including the Elk Meadow Picnic Area.
Located three miles north of Orick along U.S. 101, the Elk Meadow Picnic Area is famously home to one of the three elk herds within Redwood National Park. They can frequently be spotted meandering through the meadows, grazing and relaxing with their fellow herd buddies.
This makes the meadow a popular place for wildlife enthusiasts! Walking trails and informational signs make it easy to explore the area. Just remember that you should never approach wild elk. It's best to observe them from a distance, so consider bringing some binoculars.
As one of the largest subspecies of elk in North America, seeing a herd of Roosevelt elk is truly a breathtaking experience. Spotting one of these creatures is bound to become the highlight of your trip to the coastal redwoods, so stop by the Elk Meadow Picnic Area to see them for yourself!
