Named for the wild elk that historically roamed this area and were reintroduced in the early 1900s, Elk County is home to nearly 1,400 of these magnificent animals and watching them in the wild is a memorable activity the whole family will enjoy.
The best spot to view elk is around the Elk Country Visitor Center on Winslow Hill in Benezette, the Official Elk Capital of Pennsylvania. This beautiful education and conservation center has interactive displays, presentations, wild elk viewing blinds, and specially planted grazing pastures to attract wildlife. Each August, the center hosts the annual Elk Expo, a popular event featuring everything elk. Benezette is located along Route 555, also known as the Elk Scenic Drive, which has roadside stops where you can pull over and see elk and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Nearby, the Mt. Zion Historical Park honors local veterans and citizens in a restful setting that includes info on the area’s heritage and spectacular view from “The Cross” on the hill.
A little further north, the towns of Ridgway, Johnsonburg, and Wilcox also entice visitors with their outdoor recreation opportunities and historical attractions. The Clarion River flows through these towns and offers anglers a hidden fishing destination for trophy brown trout and exceptional paddling adventures.
Ridgway, one of Pennsylvania’s best-kept secrets, was founded in the 1800s and has done a remarkable job of preserving the grandeur of its Victorian past. Its Lily of the Valley National Register Historic District features a number of Victorian homes and mansions along Millionaire’s Row. The town is also close to the Allegheny National Forest, and it hosts Mountain Fest, Tasting in Wilds, and many other events including the wildly popular Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous each spring. This event attracts thousands of visitors and hundreds of skilled and highly creative sculptors from around the world.
In St. Marys, the town’s strong German Catholic heritage greets you at every turn. Since 1872, the Straub family has been brewing downtown at Straub Brewery, recognized as an American Legacy Brewery. Stop by for a tour or a taste from the Eternal Tap. Make sure to stop by the new Tap Room and Visitor Center too. The lively downtown and Million Dollar Highway offer visitors the perfect place to spend a few hours browsing unique shops and restaurants. Decker’s Chapel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the smallest churches in the country, just underwent an extensive renovation and welcomes visitors from dawn to dusk. St. Marys Municipal Airport holds its annual American Spirit Aviation Festival in mid-August, which includes a fly-in breakfast, Elk County Cruisers car show with several hundred cars, food and craft vendors, airplane and helicopter rides, live music, attractions for kids, and more. The airport also hosts drag races once a month during the summer.
You’ll find great camping and outdoor activities here at the nearby Allegheny National Forest, Bendigo State Park, East Branch Lake, and Twin Lakes Recreation Area, so this truly is a county with something for everyone.
Find where to stay, eat, and things to do in Elk County online at VisitPAGO.com/Counties/Elk-County.
