There’s something undeniably magical about viewing wildlife in their natural habitat. Lucky for us, opportunities for viewing wildlife are abundant here in Northern California. There’s even a spectacular destination in our state where you can view wild herds of elk. However, these aren’t just regular elk. This particular type of wild elk has a fascinating story behind them. Once you know it, you can appreciate these beautiful creatures even more.
Redwood National and State Parks is one of Northern California's most beloved destinations. Consisting of several units located along the North Coast, these parks are most notable for their growths of coastal redwood trees. However, this park is full of all kinds of treasures, including herds of wild elk.
The Roosevelt elk is considered the largest of the six recognized species of elk in North America. At one time, they could be found anywhere from southern British Columbia all the way south to Sonoma County. Today, the story is much different.
In fact, you can really only view Roosevelt elk in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. If you'd like to see them in person, visiting Redwood National and State Parks is your best bet. Seven elk herds call these parks home.
These lovely animals were hunted nearly to extinction by North Coast settlers before conservation efforts began. At the time, there were only a few hundred of them left. Today, the elk number in the thousands and they are slowly being reintroduced to places that they originally could be found.
These beautiful creatures can mostly be found congregating in the Crescent Beach area, Gold Bluffs Beach, Elk Meadow, Lower Redwood Creek, the Orick Valley, and the Bald Hills. Each herd is comprised of approximatley 10-50 animals. Although, the Bald Hills herd boasts a whopping 250 elk!
You'll recognize the Roosevelt elk by their size. Adult males weigh approximately 740 to 1,100 pounds, and females weigh 380 to 640 pounds. They will have a dark head, neck, and legs, with a light brown body and cream-colored behind.
You should always use caution when viewing wild elk since they are known to be wild and unpredictable animals. Although it may be tempting, never get too close to them and maintain a safe distance.
Searching for these stunning animals is all part of the fun. There's nothing that compares to when you first get a glimpse at these majestic creatures in real life! See them for yourself and plan a trip through Redwood National and State Parks soon. The elk are waiting!
