Elk in the Smoky Mountains - The Best Places to See Them

A lone female elk strolling down the side of the road. This elk a wearing a transmitter so that its movements may be tracked

Spotting elk in the Smoky Mountains is an unforgettable experience. Whether it’s their enormous size, the ornate antlers of a bull elk, or the bugling sound the bulls make, they are just a delight to find and watch.

Let us show you the best places to see elk in the Smoky Mountains! They are usually easy to find if you know where and when to look.

Published October 10, 2024

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What's Inside This Post...

What is an Elk?

Elk are a part of the Cervidae family, which includes deer, caribou, and moose. To give you a sense of how large they are, check out the chart below…

I think you’ll agree that elk are HUGE! They usually stand 4′ to 5′ at the shoulder.

The most notable physical feature of the male (bull) elk is its antlers. They can measure up to 4′ long. That’s a lot to carry around on your head all day! The antlers are shed and regrown every year.

Elk have no tail but do have a large light-colored patch on their rump. In fact, the Shawnee name for the elk is wapiti, which means “white rump”.

Male elk sporting a large rack of antlers

Elk are herd animals, preferring to stay in groups, which makes them easier for us to spot!

They are also easy to hear, especially in the fall during rutting (mating) season. This is when you are most likely to hear the bugling sound that males are known for. The sound can carry for up to two miles. The males also do a good bit of challenging each other and fighting during rutting season.

Female elk (cows) don’t bugle—they make a barking sound instead. They typically do this to alert the herd of danger. If you hear a cow barking, you will often see the herd immediately begin to move away.

An elk calf crossing a busy road behind her mother. Lots of tourists snapping photos behind them

Elk calves in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are born in early June. Cows usually give birth to a single calf, but occasionally, they have two.

Best Places to See Elk in the Smoky Mountains

Elk may be spotted all over the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After all, it is estimated that there are over 200 elk in the park. We have seen them in several spots, including Cades Cove, standing in front of the high school in Cherokee and walking down the side of the road in single file. (They looked like they were all on their commute home following a long day at work.)

But they are most likely to be seen grazing in fields in two spots: in front of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and in the Cataloochee Valley.

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Elk are more often than not seen whenever we drive by the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. However, it’s a great place to stop, even without the elk. There are restrooms, vending machines, maps, and very friendly staff eager to answer your questions. There’s also a large deck with rocking chairs and a wonderful outdoor farm museum.

A large open field is next to the visitor center. This is the local gathering spot for a herd of elk. The field is right next to the road, so you’ll be able to immediately tell if they are present.

You can also walk out to the edge of the field to take photos. If the elk are present, a park ranger will be there, also, making sure you keep your distance. This is for the animals’ safety as well as yours.

The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is 3.7 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on Highway 441/Newfound Gap Road—just a 9-minute drive. It is one of the first things you see when you enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park through the south entrance in Cherokee, NC.

Cataloochee Valley

By the mid-1800s, the native elk population in the area had begun to diminish significantly due to habitat loss and over-hunting. In 2001, 25 elk were reintroduced to the area in an effort to reestablish them. The following year, another 27 elk were brought in.

Today, that herd has grown to over 200 thriving elk! WooHoo!

Four female elk grazing in a field in the Cataloochee Valley

The large open fields along the road in the valley provide excellent elk-viewing opportunities. There are also historical structures here, as well as hiking trails.

The Cataloochee Valley is on the far eastern side of the national park. Travel on Highway 19 east from Cherokee, NC, past Maggie Valley, to Dellwood, NC. The Cataloochee Valley is 17 miles north of Dellwood, NC, on Highway 276. This road is the only way in or out of Cataloochee Valley.

Look for this handsome fellow on your way there. He’s even tagged on Google Maps!

Google Map showing the location of the Bigfoot Statue

When is the Best Time to See an Elk?

Elk do not hibernate, so they can be spotted year-round. However, elk are most active from late September to early November. Your best chance of seeing them is early in the day or later in the evening.

What to Do (and Not Do) if You See an Elk

You are most likely to see elk as you are driving by a field. If there is a place to pull off the road and park, do so. If not, please don’t stop in the middle of the road – you might cause an accident.
Never approach an elk. It is a large and potentially dangerous animal, especially if it has a baby with it. Willfully approaching wildlife within 50 yards (150 feet) or any distance that disturbs or displaces an animal is prohibited.
Feeding, touching, teasing, frightening, or intentionally disturbing wildlife is also prohibited.
Instead, enjoy the animal from a safe distance. We recommend purchasing and using binoculars.
Take photos. LOTS of photos! These are beautiful animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Cataloochee Valley open year-round? It is; however, the combination of the twisting road and winter conditions might make the drive there a little “exciting.”
What are the hours for the Oconaluftee Visitor Center? 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily; Winter Hours, December 1 – February 28, are 9:00 am to 4:30 pm daily
Has anyone ever been injured by an elk in the Smoky Mountains? Injuries caused by elk in the park are extremely rare.

The Wrap-Up – Best Places to See Elk in the Smoky Mountains

One of the best reasons to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is to view the wildlife. Seeing a herd of elk, a mother elk with her calf, or a bull elk with its impossibly large and ornate set of antlers is hard to forget and will become one of the highlights of your trip.

So get out there and find some elk!