“Are there other places in Oregon where you’re super likely to see wildlife in the wild, without getting up at the crack of dawn?” I typed.
I hit “enter” and sat back, wondering what insights the hive mind of the Internet might know.
Bryan and I had just been to the Sea Lion Caves on the Oregon coast for the first time. The sight of hundreds of sea lions flopping about on the rocks was mind-boggling, and we were keen to see more wildlife. But my idea of wildlife-watching doesn’t involve getting up before sunrise or waiting for hours with my binoculars.
A notification popped up: Roosevelt elk at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area near Reedsport.
I put a pin in our adventure map.
We’ve now been to the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area several times since reading that exciting message board post. Nearly every time, we’ve seen elk. In today’s post, I’ll share the highlights of this delightfully reliable place for elk viewing in Oregon.
A quick note before getting started–this is a protected area, so needless to say, hunting is not allowed!
For a virtual preview of the elk at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing area, check out our video below.
Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area
The Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area is a strikingly beautiful place set along the remote Route 38, sometimes called the Umpqua Highway. Hills covered in misty fir trees ring the sides of the rain-soaked Umpqua river valley. The valley teems with life and the plants glow their best spring green. Now and then a house or barn blossoms out of the valley, but mostly a sense of remoteness reigns here. Cell reception drops. This is a place to experience fully in the moment.
It looks like an idealized version of Yellowstone to me, one without harsh winters or lack of rain. There’s definitely no lack of rain here. Nearby Reedsport receives about 73 inches per year, double what we get here in Portland.
Just before Route 38 reaches the coastal town of Reedsport, Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area materializes in the valley. A large pullout at the roadside invites visitors to pause and appreciate the beauty of the valley, and to look for the valley’s largest residents, the Roosevelt elk. A wooden shelter at one end of the parking lot hosts the Hinsdale Interpretive Center, where visitors can learn about these Oregon coast elk.
Parking & Logistics at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area
Parking at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area is free of charge, and the parking area is huge. You’re not likely to have trouble finding a spot. This highly scenic part of Oregon is far enough from the major cities that it gets little traffic. It’s over 3 hours by car from Portland, and about an hour and a half from Eugene.
Tips for Spotting the Oregon Coast Elk
I’ve never timed my stops at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area, and the elk have nearly always been there. That said, the BLM notes that mornings and late afternoons are the best bet. This herd of Roosevelt elk lives in the valley year-round, so seasonality isn’t an issue when planning your visit.
I have found there’s been a lot of variance in how close the elk are to the viewing area, so I’d recommend packing binoculars in case the herd is farther out in the meadows.
Cool Roosevelt Elk Facts
The Oregon coast elk are officially called Roosevelt elk. This elk subspecies isn’t the same as the elk you’ll find in Yellowstone or the rest of the mountain west–those are the aptly named Rocky Mountain elk. Roosevelt elk and Rocky Mountain elk are two of four North American elk subspecies. Of the four, the Roosevelt elk are the largest. They’re native to western Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and northern California.
How large is large? Pretty enormous. Males weigh 700-1200 lbs and females weigh 500-700 lbs!
Nearby Wildlife Watching Opportunities
If you check out the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area in the winter, I’d recommend combining your visit with a trip to the Sea Lion Caves. Winter is when the sea lions are in their caves, which are about 45 minutes’ drive north of the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area. To learn more about the Sea Lion Caves and when to go, check out our blog post on tips for viewing the sea lions.
Other Adventures in the Pacific Northwest
Thanks for joining us for elk viewing in Oregon at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area! For more adventure ideas in the Pacific Northwest, check out our PNW Trip Planner. You can find adventures near you and filter by season and difficulty level. There are weird and wonderful things to explore any time of year. The trip planner links to blog posts to help you plan your next adventure.
Happy exploring!
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