If you are scouting initially with a topo to find a place then start by looking for the things mentioned above like remoteness, shelfs, saddles, funnels, dark timber with innersperced meadows, water.

When you have a few places narrowed down and actually start scouting then just like everything else look for elk sign. The fresher the better. Look for good trails, tree rubs, wallows, bedding areas (you usually can' t miss them if you see them), poop, and of course look for elk.

Our camp is only about a mile from the road but there are few hunters there in the first place and the area has everything that elk need. Plenty of water, plenty of food, plenty of dark timber to stay cool and hide in, and meadows for them to gather in and feed at night. That' s really the four things that elk need. Provided that there are not too many people there.