Improvements at Gaylord Elk View Park Make Wildlife Watching Even Easier

One of our favorite things to do when visiting Gaylord is to stop by the city’s Elk View Park to see the impressive elk herd in its large enclosure. Last year a new viewing platform was added near Aspen Park, allowing a fully accessible way for all visitors to get a great view of the elk as they dine on hay or walk through the field. We had our first chance to check out this new addition to the park when we were in the area back in June, and agree that it definitely enhances the visitor experience. Our visit was on a day when a light but steady rain was falling and it was great to be able to view the elk with a roof over our heads.

A new sign by the platform gives some of the history of the Gaylord elk herd. We learned that Gaylord became the first city in Michigan to own an elk herd back in 1989, when they received a male elk from a nearby nature center that closed. That elk was later joined by two females, and over the years grew into a herd the city would be known for.

This sign also taught us a few fun facts: a 2018 Gaylord Tourism Bureau survey found that 40% of people who visit Gaylord go and see the elk, and some of the bull elk here can grow up to 800 pounds and six feet tall.

The elk eat a diet of hay, corn, and sugar beets provided by the city’s Department of Public Works.

We got to see around a dozen elk during our visit, and they weren’t letting the light get in the way of a good meal. It was great to be able to see and photograph them from the platform instead of viewing them through a fence like we did at the old location (which is still available as another viewing location).

This new addition to the park had been planned for many years, and is named for former city councilman Pat Mankowski. In addition to the new viewing platform there is a picnic pavilion, playground, and restrooms.

If you can’t make the trip to Gaylord you can still watch the elk on Gaylord’s live feed on the city website.