Attractions in Benezette

Eastern Continental Divide

East of Benezette, Rt. 255 to Rt. 555, near Sinnemahoning.
This North American highland separates waters flowing to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. A sign here indicates eastern waters flow to the Atlantic and western waters flow to the Gulf of Mexico.

Elk Herd

Once roaming free across the Commonwealth, elk were completely eliminated from the state by 1867. Rocky Mountain elk were reintroduced from 1913 through 1926 and now number more than 500

Elk are highly social animals. They can be seen in their natural habitat along many roadways encompassed by the 227 square-mile elk range. Primary routes are 120, 255 and 555. Best times for activity are at dawn and dusk.

Cows live just north of Benezette and weigh up to 500 pounds. Most calves are born from the end of May to mid-June. Bulls form "bachelor" groups, living primarily near Saint Marys except during the September and October breeding season. They can weigh as much as 800 pounds.

Autumn is a particularly good time to hear the bugle call of the elk, especially on a moonlit night. Sounds range from grunts to whistles, screams and roars. From a distance, they have been described as being similar to a musical flute.

The Dent's Run viewing area is located near Benezette off of Route 555. Starting at the Benezette Hotel, travel north along Winslow Hill Road for 3.5 miles. Visitors may park here and take photographs, but feeding the elk is against the law.

Although more than one-third of the elk range is public land, visitors should be respectful of private property.