Where to See Elk in Blue Ridge Parkway

Sighting map

Elk sightings in Blue Ridge Parkway

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Where Elk has been reported, from 1,020 sightings. Not a live tracker: animals move, and an empty area doesn’t mean there are none. Locations are adjusted to protect the animals, so the pattern is approximate.

Keep this map with you offline in the Parkwolf app

Timing

When to look

12 AM3% of the busiest hour1 AM3% of the busiest hour2 AM3% of the busiest hour3 AM5% of the busiest hour4 AM12% of the busiest hour5 AM60% of the busiest hour6 AM95% of the busiest hour7 AMBusiest hour8 AM75% of the busiest hour9 AM45% of the busiest hour10 AM30% of the busiest hour11 AM25% of the busiest hourNoon20% of the busiest hour1 PM20% of the busiest hour2 PM25% of the busiest hour3 PM35% of the busiest hour4 PM55% of the busiest hour5 PM85% of the busiest hour6 PMBusiest hour7 PM95% of the busiest hour8 PM70% of the busiest hour9 PM35% of the busiest hour10 PM15% of the busiest hour11 PM7% of the busiest hour

Elk is most seen 6–8 AM and 5–8 PM. Bars compare each hour with the busiest one.

Elk sightings by hour, as a share of the busiest hour
Hour	Share of busiest hour
12 AM	3%
1 AM	3%
2 AM	3%
3 AM	5%
4 AM	12%
5 AM	60%
6 AM	95%
7 AM	100%
8 AM	75%
9 AM	45%
10 AM	30%
11 AM	25%
Noon	20%
1 PM	20%
2 PM	25%
3 PM	35%
4 PM	55%
5 PM	85%
6 PM	100%
7 PM	95%
8 PM	70%
9 PM	35%
10 PM	15%
11 PM	7%

Audio tour

Hear about Elk on the drive.

Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays stories like this one as you drive Blue Ridge Parkway, triggered by GPS and read through your car’s speakers.

Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide

Elk Mountain Overlook and the Yadkin Valley

Listen

“You'll see Elk Mountain Overlook coming up. This is a simple stop, but it has a huge, open view looking out over the Yadkin Valley.”

Plays as you drive near Elk Mountain Overlook in Parkwolf’s Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide.

4.7 from 8,600+ ratings

Where to look

Blue Ridge Parkway spots that mention Elk

Compare with the sightings

Places and trails whose Parkwolf guides talk about Elk. A good start, never a guarantee.

Places

Visitor centerOconaluftee Visitor CenterGateway hub with elk, free museum, and historic farmstead

Scenic pulloutElk Mountain OverlookBig, unobstructed views over the Yadkin Valley from a quick pull-off

Entrance stationGreat Smoky Mountains National Park EntranceWhere the Parkway hands you the Smokies—elk, river, and history

Scenic pulloutLake Junaluska OverlookQuick pullout with valley views and occasional elk sightings

SightPeaks of OtterClassic Blue Ridge hub with lakeside lodge and two standout summit hikes

Scenic pulloutHeintooga OverlookQuiet Smokies panorama and killer sunsets at a remote overlook

Trails

EasyElk Run Trail0.8 mi · 1 hrShort, self-guided forest loop behind the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center

ModerateHeintooga Flat Creek Trail5.2 mi · 3 hrA quiet creek walk through high-elevation Smokies forest

ChallengingProfile Trail (Grandfather Mountain)7.2 mi · 4 hrSteep, rewarding climb from NC 105 to Grandfather’s ridgeline.

Wolf sightings in Yellowstone on Parkwolf’s Find Wildlife map, brightest around Lamar Valley — Wolf sightings in Yellowstone, in the app

Find Wildlife in Parkwolf

Every sighting map, in your pocket.

16 sighting mapsfor Blue Ridge Parkway, on the same park map as your route
Works offlineout where the animals are and the signal isn’t
277 audio storiesplay as you drive Blue Ridge Parkway, wildlife included

4.7 from 8,600+ ratings

Wildlife

More wildlife in Blue Ridge Parkway

All 16 sighting maps

1,208 sightingsBlack BearUrsus americanusMost seen 7–9 AM & 5–8 PMSighting map

2,257 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerOdocoileus virginianusMost seen 6 AM & 5–7 PMSighting map

200 sightingsCoyoteCanis latransMost seen 6 AM & 6–8 PMSighting map

1,126 sightingsWild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoMost seen 7–9 AM & 5–8 PMSighting map

255 sightingsRed-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisMost seen 10 AM–1 PM & 2–4 PMSighting map

274 sightingsTimber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridusMost seen 5–8 PMSighting map

312 sightingsCopperheadAgkistrodon contortrixMost seen 6–8 PMSighting map

152 sightingsBeaverCastor canadensisMost seen 6 AM & 6–8 PMSighting map

Where to see Elk in Blue Ridge Parkway