Elk Meadow Picnic Area — Attraction in McKinleyville

5/30/13

BIG-ANTLERED MALES DOMINATE THE HERDS

I'll bet they do.

Oh, the friendly giant-deer-relatives. We visited this meadow in late May which is unfortunately right when bull elk begin to grow back the antlers they all lose in March. They have to grow them back in time for late-summer breeding, so visiting in May pretty much assures you'll see no 4 ft high antlers, witness no bull fights, and hear no sounds of their awesome mating calls.

It's still pretty awesome to just see wild elk sitting around and doing elk stuff in the field that you're standing at the edge of. You should not approach them on foot. Elk have been known to charge so you should also not turn your back if they're closeby. Unless you're a cow (female elk), and then it's probably okay; but watch out for the...

This is a few concrete picnic tables spread out near a parking lot and a meadow.

There are only a handful of picnic tables, and only one was in the shade at the time (afternoon in July), but it was not crowded and it was easy to grab.

The picnic tables are very close to the parking lot, so you don't have to carry anything too far. There are no BBQ grills or anything--it's just concrete picnic tables and benches.

There are bathrooms in a separate building, also very close to the parking lot which were clean.

And the view was AMAZING! A beautiful place to have a picnic. Despite the name, we saw no elk, but maybe you'll have...

it was nice. if you’re planning to get a walk-in, don’t count on it. they said they are usually booked all summer. we happened to get a spot since someone cancelled. site #16, which was said to be one of the best. would recommend this spot. right off the beach. there are showers and they are free and hot. 4 toilets, warm water in the sinks. there is also water available, from a well. it was very windy, but that’s a given. the ocean was beautiful and the sunset was too. i’ll put some pictures of the site. would recommend,...