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 © Colin Postlewaite
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State Park Link:
Elephant Rocks State Park
Nearby Parks:
Johnson Shut-Ins State Park
Saint Joe State Park
Saint Joe State Park Dam
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Imagine giant granite rocks standing end-to-end like a train of circus elephants. That's what you'll see at Elephant Rocks State Park. About 1.5 billion years ago, hot magma cooled forming coarsely crystalline red granite, which later weathered into huge, rounded boulders. Standing atop a granite outcrop, one of the largest elephant rocks, Dumbo, tops the scales at a whopping 680 tons!
Visitors to Elephant Rocks State Park can easily view the granite boulders from the one-mile Braille Trail, designed to accommodate people with visual or physical disabilities. The trail passes by a quarry pond, which now supports a variety of animal life. A short spur off of the trail takes visitors to the top of the granite outcrop, where they can explore the maze of giant elephant rocks.
A second spur brings visitors to a point overlooking an old quarry site. This red granite, first commercially quarried in the late 1800s, has been used as building material and as paving blocks for the St. Louis levee and downtown streets. Today, "Missouri Red" granite is cut and polished mainly for use as monuments. Thirty picnic sites allow visitors to rest and have a cool drink among the stone pachyderms. Come see for yourself why Elephant Rocks State Park is a place you'll never forget! |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Interesting
I had no idea there was a such a place. The maze was fun and the formations were interesting. I was glad there is a paved path around the entire site (not very long) that I can bring my mother in her wheel chair to enjoy.
(name not given)
13-Jul-2008
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(name not given)
21-Aug-2008
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A Must See for Everyone !
My parents used to take my sister and I as kids, and now I am doing the same thing some 30 years later. Whether you go for the history of the mining process, to explore and climb on the mountains of granite, search for tad-poles in the small pools of water that form on the rocks, or just go for the sheer beauty of it, Elephant Rocks is a must see for every child and adult alike.
(name not given)
26-Apr-2009
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Awesome!
Awesome!
(name not given)
17-May-2009
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HEY
That was the most amazing thing that i havee ever experinced!!!!
Written by ramona reed
17-Sep-2009
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| Area Activities |
| Arts & Crafts | |  | Nostalgic Place LLC. - Arcadia, MO
The Nostalgic Place Olde Time Shop is located on the first level of our historic building. We invite you to explore our treasures, collectibles and antiques. We carry Herbaria Soaps, Nouvelle Candles, crystal, glassware, china and books from local authors. Our inventory changes continually. You just never know what you might find.
Web Site: http://www.nostalgicplace.com |
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| Picnicking: |
| Thirty picnic sites among the giant red boulders provide ample opportunity for picnicking and exploration of the elephant rocks. A children?s playground is also available to visitors, making a trip to Elephant Rocks State Park perfect for a family outing. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| B&Bs / Inns | |  | Nostalgic Place LLC - Arcadia, MO
A romantic country inn located in historic Arcadia Valley Missouri. Only 80 miles from St. Louis, Nostalgic Place B&B is the best Missouri romantic getaway. We are nestled in the St. Fran?s Range of the Missouri Ozark Mountains, the oldest mountain range in the United States.
Web Site: http://www.nostalgicplace.com |
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| | Cottages and Cabins | |  | Rim Rock's Dogwood Cabins - Elizabethtown, IL
Southern Illinois Cabins with all amenities, surrounded by The Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. All cabins have air conditioning, heat, kitchen including stove, frig, microwave, coffee maker, toaster; bathroom with shower, screened in porch, electric fireplace, satellite tv with HBO and DVD, all linens, cookware, plates, utensil, outside grill and picnic table.
Web Site: http://www.rimrocksdogwoodcabins.com |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Elephant Rocks State Park - Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, MoDNR - Department of Natural Resources, Information concerning state parks and state historic sites in ... That's what you'll see at Elephant Rocks State Park. About 1.5 billion years ago, hot magma ... | | Elephant Rocks State Park - Park Map - Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, MoDNR - Department of Natural Resources, Information concerning state parks and state historic sites in ... Hwy. 21 in Iron County. Map of Elephant Rocks State Park How to get to Elephant Rocks State Park ... | | Elephant Rocks State Park Brochure - Elephant Rocks State Park ELEPHANT ROCKS STATE PARK Perhaps one of the most curious geological formations in Missouri is ... in Missouri is found in Elephant Rocks State Park. Billion-year-old ... | | Elephant Rocks State Park Photo Gallery - Elephant Rocks State Park Elephant Rocks State Park is the smallest of the state parks we visit, the trail which forms the ... Francisco, CA. The Elephant Rocks State Park forms a geomorphic ... | | MokoPili.net -- Elephant Rocks State Park - Home Photo Albums Elephant Rocks State Park (Missouri) & Graffton (Illinois) August 16, 2003 Mark and I (and someday Greg too ... wanting to go to Elephant Rocks State Park for a long time now ... | | Elephant Rocks State Park - Climbingsource.com - Click to Get Advertising Elephant Rocks State Park, MO We Need Your Picture Click Below for Seven Day Forecast Directions to park: From Ironton, 7 miles north on highway 21, then 1 mile west on ... | | Elephant Rocks State Park, MO - 10-22-1999 - Elephant Rocks State Park, MO - 10-22-1999 Climbers: Indy Scooter Chris Prewitt |
| Nature Programs: |
| Interpretive programs are conducted every weekend at Elephant Rocks State Park from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Programs include a variety of games and quizzes as well as nature hikes and demonstrations that can be enjoyed by all ages.
The times of the programs vary from week to week and it is best to contact the park naturalist, based out of Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, at (573) 546-2450 for current information. Special group programs can also be arranged in advance for any time of the year by contacting the naturalist as well. |
| Directions: |
| From St. Louis : Take I-55 south out of St. Louis to U.S. Hwy. 67, just south of the Festus (Route A) exit. Turn right (Exit 174) onto southbound U.S. Hwy. 67 and drive past Bonne Terre, Park Hills, Leadington and into Farmington. On the south side of Farmington is the Route W overpass. Exit onto Route W. Travel on Route W for 18 miles to a flashing stoplight at a three-way stop. Turn right onto northbound Hwy. 21 and travel two miles. The park entrance is on right side of road. The trip is about one and one half hours long.
From Jefferson City : Take U.S. Hwy. 50 east out of Jefferson City to U.S. Hwy. 63. Turn right onto U.S. Hwy. 63 and travel to Vichy. At the junction of U.S. Hwy. 63 and Hwy. 68, turn left onto Hwy. 68. Stay on Hwy. 68 through St. James. South of St. James at the junction of Hwy. 68 and Hwy. 8, stay to the left. You will be on Hwy. 8. Travel on Hwy. 8 to Potosi. As you leave Potosi, turn right onto Hwy. 21. About five miles south of Belleview on Hwy. 21 is Elephant Rocks State Park on the left side of the road. The trip is about two and one half hours long.
From Springfield/Joplin : Take I-44 out of Springfield toward St. Louis. Exit at St. James Overpass (Exit 195) and turn right onto Hwy. 8. Stay on Hwy. 68 through St. James. South of St. James at the junction of Hwy. 68 and Hwy. 8, stay to the left. You will be on Hwy. 8. Travel on Hwy. 8 to Potosi. As you leave Potosi, turn right onto Hwy. 21. About five miles south of Belleview on Hwy. 21 is Elephant Rocks State Park on the left side of the road. The trip is at least four hours long. |
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USA
(5 votes) |