West Virginia has no drive-thru safari parks. Its signature roadside wildlife experience is the state’s restored wild elk herd in the southern coalfields. You can drive yourself to a new public elk viewing tower, or join a ranger-guided elk tour, and fall is the best time for both.
- Tomblin Wildlife Management Area Elk Viewing Platform (Holden)
- WVDNR Elk Management Tours at Chief Logan State Park (Logan)
TOMBLIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA – ELK VIEWING PLATFORM
Type: Free public elk viewing tower and education center on a state wildlife management area. It’s home of the WV Division of Natural Resources’ Elk Restoration Project.
Location: Tomblin Wildlife Management Area, Holden, WV (Logan County, within driving distance of Corridor G (US-119), about 1 hour southwest of Charleston)
Website: WVDNR – Elk · WV State Parks – Chief Logan
Social Media: WVDNR on Facebook
Animals: About 140–150 wild elk, about 60 of them born in West Virginia. They descend from elk brought in from Kentucky (Land Between the Lakes) and Arizona since 2016, after native elk were wiped out in 1875. You’ll also see white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and black bears.
Admission: FREE
Features:
- An elk-viewing platform on a natural overlook
- An education center at the base of the tower
- A level viewing area for visitors with limited mobility
Best Time:
- Fall rut (September – October), when bulls bugle.
- Early morning and the last couple of hours before dark are best.
Rules & Tips:
- Sightings aren’t guaranteed, since the elk range freely across the WMA.
- Bring binoculars or a spotting scope.
- Never approach elk, especially bulls during the rut.
- The WMA is open to regulated hunting in season, so wear bright colors if you walk.
WVDNR ELK MANAGEMENT TOURS – CHIEF LOGAN STATE PARK
Type: Guided elk-viewing tours run by the WV Division of Natural Resources and WV State Parks. A van takes you from the lodge to the Tomblin WMA, then a short guided hike leads to the viewing areas.
Location: Chief Logan Lodge, Chief Logan State Park, Logan, WV
Website: WV State Parks – Elk Management Tours · WVDNR Elk Program
Social Media: WV State Parks on Facebook
Tour Details:
- About 4 hours, starting and ending at Chief Logan Lodge
- Includes a 2–3 mile walk with a park naturalist to areas with the best chance of seeing or hearing elk
- Covers the history, behavior, and conservation of West Virginia’s elk
Price:
- $30 per person
- Optional boxed breakfast or lunch: $15
- Elk Tour lodging package: A special room rate at Chief Logan Lodge with code ELK26 at checkout on WVstateparks.com
2026 Schedule:
- Weekends only, now through October 24, 2026. Only a few weekends remain.
- Morning tours depart at 5:30 AM, and evening tours at 4:30 PM.
- Tours sell out. October dates have filled up quickly in past years, so book now.
Tips:
- Dress in layers for chilly mountain mornings, and wear good walking shoes.
- Sightings aren’t guaranteed, but bugling bulls are common during October.
Explore Drive-Thru Wildlife Parks in Neighboring States:
Pennsylvania · Maryland · Virginia · Kentucky · Ohio