Nestled in the rolling hills of southeastern Missouri, Elephant Rock State Park is a hidden gem and a geological marvel in the Missouri Ozark.
It is popularly known for its gigantic boulders that resemble an elephant herd. The elephant-shaped boulders of granite are the star attraction of the park. Discovering this natural paradise offers travelers and outdoor enthusiasts an incredible outdoor experience.
How do I get there?
Elephant Rock State Park is located in the Saint Francois Mountains in Missouri, United States, just over 80 miles from Saint Louis. It takes about an hour and a half to get there by car.
History
Elephant Rock State Park is considered one of the most curious geological formations. The enormous rocks are formed from granite. These giant boulders stand end-to-end like a train of circus elephants. These gigantic rocks give the park its name. The formation of these marvellous geological creations began about 1.5 billion years ago, during the Precambrian era. According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources: no official census of the herd has been taken, so the exact number of ‘elephants’ inhibiting the park is unknown.
These rocks are formed through the processes of erosion and weathering. “Molten rock,called magma, accumulates deep below the earth’s surface. The magma slowly cooled, forming a red granite rock,” according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. As erosion gradually stripped away the weight of the overlying rock, it created both horizontal and vertical cracks within the granite. Water penetrated through, disintegrating the granite and rounding the edges and corners of the rock. This action formed giant, rounded blocks while still underground. As the disintegrated material was removed due to erosion, the gigantic stone boulders were exposed to the earth’s surface.
Atmospheric weathering continues to shape the rocks over the years.
The Braille Trail
This trail has been designed so that nature enthusiasts, rock climbers, hikers, and tourists can explore the park’s natural wonders.
As you walk your way through the maze of these ancient rocks, you witness the majestic beauty of nature. This one-mile trail is very easy and the estimated hiking time is 30 minutes. Braille Trail is the first of its kind in Missouri state parks. It provides a view of a 7.5-acre Elephant Rocks Natural Area.
A short spur off of the trail leads to the top of the granite outcrop for access to the maze of giant elephant rocks.
Tourists can identify this train in RED colour.
The rock
The granites are ginormous. Dumbo, considered the patriarch, is 27 feet tall, 34 feet long, and 17 feet wide. It weighs a whopping 680 tons. These huge boulders offer a great experience of rock climbing and rappelling.
According to the Elephant Rock State Park brochure rock climbing, rappelling and bouldering are permitted under certain conditions.
- Technical climbing is permitted only in the designated area (not within the park’s natural area) and only from October to April.
- Rappelling is allowed by permit only. To obtain a rappelling permit you need to visit the Elephant Rock State Park website to know more.
- Rock climbing permit is not required for bouldering. But usually, it is performed at heights of not more than 16 feet off the ground.
Engine House Trail
This trail can be identified in BLUE colour.
0.40 miles long and an estimated hiking time ins 15 minutes, one way.
Engine house trail can be accessed through the Braille Trail. The engine house was originally built to repair train engines and cars from the Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad in the 1890s. By 1902, railroad cars were being operated regularly, shipping Missouri has red granite throughout the country.
((Source: Elephant State Park guide)
Mayank Bhagwat 