Stepping on the Brake for Some Roosevelt Elk

It was during our latest trip to the Pacific Northwest. We were driving down from Washington and were on the way to Bandon on the Oregon Coast. This time around, we chose State Highway 38 to take us off Interstate-5 and towards the coast when we made a quick stop at a deer haven — the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area, to see some Roosevelt Elk.

I love roadside attractions! I like looking for them along our routes mainly because of the fear of missing out on the riches of the area I’m passing through. And every now and then, when we spot something we hadn’t planned for, and it turns out to be a great quick stop, it fills me with happiness. This was one such stop. We had been driving beside the Umpqua River for a while when we spotted a sign for the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area!

Sightings from the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area

Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area is a pasture bordered by some woodland, beside the Dean Creek and the Umpqua River. It is said that elk can be seen grazing there almost all year round, so it’s a great place to stop to see Roosevelt Elk. There is a path along the pasture, and on it are a few benches too. As such, it’s a great place to stop, stretch those legs and watch some Elk in their natural habitat. If you’re carrying binoculars, it’s one of those places where you could take them out and watch elk on the far ends of the field.

Roosevelt Elk

The Roosevelt Elk is also called the Olympic Elk. These are the largest of the elk that are found in North America. The female elk — I learnt — can be over 600 pounds in weight, and up to 4ft. in height. And the bull can weigh over 1000 pounds and grow to a height of 4.9 ft.

The Roosevelt Elk are native to coastal areas of the northernmost part of California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

Things to know about Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area:

• A part of the Umpqua State Scenic Corridor, this viewing area is just beside State Highway 38/ Umpqua Highway.
• It lies somewhere between Scotsburg and Reedsport, where the Dean Creek flows into the Umpqua River, to be a bit more precise.
• There are two parking lots, one a good-sized one and one a bit smaller. And on the road that connects the two lots, you can find some roadside parking.
• And there is a sidewalk that serves as a trail.
• The sidewalk is fenced so you’re at a fairly safe distance from the 600-100)-pound Roosevelt Elk
• Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area is open year-round.
• If you are into bird-watching, you might find it to be a good spot to see some of the avifauna of the area.

Watch: A short video from this Elk Haven in Oregon

I thoroughly enjoyed this roadside stop. Have you had a chance to make a quick stop at a scenic or a wildlife area recently?

More from
Oregon
Another place to see the Roosevelt Elk —
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park / Redwood National Park

Linking to —
My Corner of the World

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