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Thanks for watching the TN Elk Cam live from Hatfield Knob. We hope you enjoy watching the elk and all the other wildlife life that might pass by. If you would like to see the elk herd grow and/or enjoy this camera, consider making a donation to TN Elk Habitat Fund. Thank You!
It has been about 150 years since elk wandered throughout Tennessee. Early records indicated that elk were abundant in the state prior to being settled by European explores and colonists. Their numbers proved a plentiful resource that explorers, trappers, and settlers depended on for survival. But left unmanaged, unregulated hunting and loss of habitat eventually became too great, and elk herds east of the Mississippi disappeared by the late 1800s. Since then, efforts by hunter-conservationists and state wildlife agencies have helped restore elk populations across the nation.
TWRA decided to reintroduce elk to the state in the late 1990’s. Part of the agency’s mission is to restore extirpated wildlife when and where it is biologically and sociologically feasible. Beginning in December 2000, the agency began conducting small releases of elk from Elk Island National Park (AL, Canada) into the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. There were 201 elk in total that were released over a period of eight years.
Visit the Hatfield Knob Elk Viewing Tower. It is situated on the Sundquist Wildlife Management Area, 70,000 acres of a diverse array of habitats and wildlife. The WMA is also home to Tennessee’s Elk Reintroduction Program, and is the first and only public viewing area for elk in an authentic setting in the state.
Site Directions: To Royal Blue Unit: Take I-75 to exit 141. Go west on Hwy. 63 approx. one mile. Turn left onto Titus Hollow road. Area approximately ½ mile. To Sundquist Unit at Hatfield Knob: Go north out of Lafollette on Highway 25W approximately seven miles to the top of the mountain. Turn left at the red gate located at the top of the mountain (just before the road starts to break over the mountain and go down the back side.) Proceed on the gravel road approximately 3.1 miles to a fork in the road. Take the right fork approximately 1.4 miles to the parking area. When you get to the trail-head it is about a half mile gravel road hike to the tower to view the elk.
For the best view times go near sunrise or sunset or during mating season. The tower provides viewpoints over most of the whole knob so you can see all the Elk.
Hours: open 24 hrs a day, including camping.
Seasonality: year round.
Fees: none.