After a 150 year absence, Elk once again roam The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation embarked on a very high profile project to reintroduce elk to the Cataloochee Valley area of The great Smoky Mountains National Park over 10 years ago. After years of studies, the first elk were transported to the park in February of 2000. In April of 2000 they were released into the wild. The elk have florished and after this years calfs are born the population should between 55 to 65 animals.

For more information on the elk or to see what you can do to help visit The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation on-line at www.elkfoundation.org.

The Quality Inn and Conference Center of Maggie Valley is the nearest hotel to the Elk of Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The return of the elk to the valley is the culmination of many years hard work by the National Park Servivce and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Almost everyday at dawn and dusk the elk come into the fields to graze in a fantastic show of nature beauty.



Maggie Valley Inn & Conference Center
70 Soco Road (Hwy 19)
Maggie Valley, North Carolina 28751

Member Maggie Valley Lodging Association