Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area

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Dean Creek is a mosaic of pasture, woodland, and wetland providing a variety of viewing experiences. A heard of 60 to 100 Roosevelt elk are year round residents. Numerous birds can be seen in the area and waterfowl are visible in the wetlands.

Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area (EVA) totals 1,040 acres. The 440 acres of bottomland consist of pasture and wetlands, and the 600 acres of woodlands contain hardwood and coniferous forest. Dean Creek is managed to provide optimum viewing opportunities. Pastures are mowed, grazed, and fertilized to improve the nutrition and palatability for the elk. Portions of the wetland have been enhanced to provide more standing water for a variety of waterfowl.

The best times to view elk are early mornings and before dusk. Elk roam in the area freely, and their numbers fluctuate with the seasons. The cows seek seclusion in the uplands to calve in mid-May to June. Calves and their mothers become visible on the area by mid-June. Bugling and harem gathering are signs of the breeding season, which occurs from mid-September to early October.

Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area is jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The area stretches along a 3 mile section of Oregon Highway 38, with 2 viewing areas and several pullouts to observe wildlife in the area. Dean Creek is located on the Oregon Coast approximately 8 miles East of Reedsport on highway 38.