Elephant Rocks State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elephant Rocks State Park |
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 Elephant Rocks State Park
Location in Missouri
Elephant Rocks State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Iron, Missouri, United States |
| Area | 133.75 acres (54.13 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,273 ft (388 m) |
| Established | 1967 |
| Governing body | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Elephant Rocks State Park |
Elephant Rocks State Park is a cool place in Missouri, United States. It's a special area with huge granite rocks. These rocks look like a train of giant pink elephants! That's why the park got its name.
A smart geologist named Dr. John Stafford Brown gave this land to the state in 1967. People love coming here for picnics, climbing rocks, and exploring trails. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources looks after the park.
Contents
How the Elephant Rocks Formed
The amazing "Elephant Rocks" are made of a type of rock called Graniteville Granite. This granite is mostly pink or reddish. It formed about 1.4 billion years ago! That's super old, even before dinosaurs.
Ancient Magma and Rock Formation
The granite started as hot, melted rock called magma. This magma pushed into older rocks deep underground. Over millions of years, the magma slowly cooled down. As it cooled, it turned into hard granite rock.
Cracks and Erosion Over Time
When the granite cooled, it formed cracks. These cracks were almost straight up and down. Later, the ground above the granite wore away. This process is called erosion. It exposed the granite rocks on the surface.
Water then seeped into the cracks. It slowly weathered the granite, making some parts softer. The harder parts became round "corestones." These corestones were like solid rocks inside crumbly soil. Over time, rain and wind washed away the crumbly soil. This left the big, round "elephant rocks" sitting on the ground.
Quarrying History of the Granite
People have been digging for this reddish or pink granite since 1869. There are two old quarries (places where stone is dug) right inside the park. Other quarries nearby also dug up this special stone.
This granite was used to build many buildings. You can find it in places from Massachusetts to California. It was especially popular in St. Louis. For example, parts of the St. Louis City Hall and the Eads Bridge are made from this granite.
Smaller pieces of granite were made into paving stones. These stones were used for streets in St. Louis. They also paved the wharf (a dock for boats) on the Mississippi River. Today, this granite is used for things like gravestones. It's known as Missouri Red monument stone.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Elephant Rocks State Park offers many activities for visitors. It's a great place to explore nature and enjoy the outdoors.
Exploring the Braille Trail
There's a special path called the Braille Trail. It's about one mile (2 km) long. This trail is the first in Missouri state parks made for people with vision or walking challenges. It helps everyone enjoy the park's beauty.
Unique Park Features
Along the main trail, you can find exciting side paths:
- Fat Man's Squeeze: This is a narrow space between two huge boulders. If you squeeze through, it leads you to an old, abandoned quarry.
- The Maze: This area is about 100 feet (30 meters) long. It's filled with many scattered boulders, making it feel like a puzzle to walk through.
Picnic Areas
The park also has nice areas for picnicking. These picnic spots are designed to be easy to use for everyone, including people with disabilities.
