Peterson Sorenson
After years of decline, elk populations are rebounding across parts of North America. Thanks to targeted conservation efforts, reintroduction programs, and smarter land management, these majestic animals are reclaiming their place in the wild. Here are 10 places where elk numbers are rising—and where nature is making a quiet comeback.
Rocky Mountain, Colorado
Colorado is famous for its large elk population, primarily concentrated in the Rocky Mountains. Elk migrate across vast areas using established wildlife corridors. These corridors are essential for maintaining genetic diversity and herd health. During the fall, elk are particularly visible as they travel through open spaces, often near towns or popular hiking trails.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Elk in Yellowstone migrate between low valleys and higher plateaus to find seasonal food and shelter. The park’s rivers, forests, and geothermal zones serve as year-round habitat. Wildlife managers carefully monitor elk populations to help maintain ecological balance, ensuring healthy vegetation and supporting predators like wolves and bears.
Murray River Region, Ontario
In Ontario’s Murray River region, elk populations have steadily increased, thanks to successful reintroduction programs and dedicated land management. The diverse ecosystems provide excellent grazing opportunities, while local conservation efforts minimize human impact. Even the wetland areas within the region play a key role in providing critical shelter during harsh weather conditions.
Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina
The Great Smoky Mountains’ steep slopes and dense forests provide elk with a natural habitat, where they favor clearings, riverbanks, and trail corridors to access food. Herd growth remains steady, and elk rarely move outside protected areas. Visitors often encounter them in low-traffic valleys, particularly in the early morning or evening.
Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Monongahela National Forest plays a vital role in elk recovery efforts in West Virginia. Its mix of dense forests and open meadows offers ideal foraging and calving grounds. Conservationists actively restore native habitats and track elk populations, while the forest’s vast expanse helps reconnect fragmented ecosystems across the Appalachian region.
Pigeon River Country State Forest, Michigan
Pigeon River Country State Forest is home to Michigan’s thriving elk herd because they benefit from careful management and rich food sources. Elk move freely through expansive forest areas, using varied terrain for shelter and grazing. The forest is also home to the distinctive sound of elk bugling, commonly heard during the rut season.
Elk Island National Park, Alberta
At Elk Island National Park in Alberta, fencing keeps elk within designated areas, helping preserve natural behavior while controlling grazing impacts. The park’s forest and meadow zones support seasonal diet shifts. In contrast to free-ranging herds, these elk do not migrate and follow daily routines with slow, deliberate movements in a protected environment.
Klamath Basin, Oregon
The Klamath Basin in Oregon, with its flat valleys surrounded by forests and marshes, is a key stopover for migrating elk. Shifts in water levels influence where the herds graze, particularly near restored wetlands and irrigation corridors. Elk tend to move cautiously through the basin, often seeking shelter in dense vegetation during the day.
Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Tule elk in California thrive in fragmented habitats, including grassy plains and oak-dotted foothills. They rely on seasonal water holes and marsh edges for sustenance. Herds typically stay in protected reserves, with smaller group sizes in drier areas. These elk are most often found near water sources, particularly in inland preserves.
Gila Wilderness, New Mexico
Elk in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico move across high plateaus and rugged canyons, aided by the area’s isolation and steady food sources. Thick pine forests provide cover, while remote meadows offer undisturbed feeding. Plus, their cautious nature and wide-ranging territories make them hard to track and observe.
