The Elk mostly disappeared from the mountains of the eastern United States. Reintroduction of elk into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park began in 2001 when 25 elk were brought from the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area along the Tennessee-Kentucky border.
Despite early struggles, including predation by black bears on young calves, the elk population in the Smokies has been doing well since shortly after the reintroduction.
Best Elk Viewing Location In The Smokies
The park provides various locations to allow for visitors to see elk, but the best is in the open meadows near the Mountain Farm Museum. Elk can often be seen browsing for food in the area especially in the early morning.
The Intentional Travelers 