Erratic Rock State Natural Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Erratic Rock State Natural Site |
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Erratic rock with Yamhill Valley in background
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| Type | Public, state |
| Location | Yamhill County, OregonUSA |
| Nearest city | McMinnville |
| Area | 4.4 acres (2 ha) |
| Operated by | Oregon Parks and Recreation Department |
| Status | Day use only |
Erratic Rock State Natural Site is a special state park in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, United States. It's famous for a giant rock, weighing about 40 tons, that was left behind by ancient floods. This huge rock is called a glacial erratic. The park is small and sits on a hill in Yamhill County. You can find it between the towns of Sheridan and McMinnville, right off Oregon Route 18. It's a "day use only" park, meaning you can visit during the day but can't camp overnight. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department takes care of it.
Contents
Discover the Park's History
The land for Erratic Rock State Natural Site was bought in 1956. It was purchased from the Duerst and Ramsby families. Back then, it was first called the Erratic Rock Wayside. In 1996, the park almost closed down. This was because of money problems for state parks. Luckily, the Oregon Legislative Assembly found money to keep it open. In June 2005, a new historical sign was put up. State senator Gary George was there for the special event.
Where is Erratic Rock Located?
Erratic Rock State Natural Site is easy to find. It is located right off Oregon 18. The park is about halfway between two towns. To the west is Sheridan. To the east is McMinnville.
Explore the Amazing Geology
The main attraction here is the giant rock! It's a glacial erratic, which means it was moved by glaciers. This particular rock was carried by the massive Missoula Floods. These floods happened about 15,000 to 20,000 years ago. They started in western Montana. These huge floods changed the land a lot. They filled the Columbia River valley and even flooded the Willamette Valley.
Many rocks traveled far during these floods. They were stuck inside giant icebergs. As the floodwaters went down and the ice melted, the rocks were left behind. This happened all the way from Montana through Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.
One of these huge rocks, weighing 40 tons, landed on a hill. This hill is about 250 feet tall. It's in the Yamhill Valley part of the Willamette Valley.
This special rock actually came all the way from Canada. It is the biggest glacial erratic in the Willamette Valley. The rock is made of argillite. Scientists believe it is 600 million years old. It was once part of the ocean floor! It's also the only rock of its kind found outside of Canada.
Plants and Animals at the Park
The Pacific Northwest has many different kinds of plants and animals. They all thrive in this climate. The park is home to many species. These include animals found across Oregon. There are also species specific to Yamhill County.
Wildlife in Yamhill County
Animals in this area are grouped into four types. These are amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. You might be surprised to know that wolverines have been seen in Oregon. However, their numbers are very small.
Oregon Conservation Efforts
The ODFW (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) works hard. They are trying to protect local plants and animals. Some species are on the endangered list. This means they are at risk of disappearing.
- Endangered Birds:
- The marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus)
- The Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina)
- Endangered Plants:
- The Willamette daisy (Erigeron decumbens var. decumbens)
- The Kincaid's Lupine (Lupinus sulphureus ssp. Kincaidii)
- The Nelson's Checker-Mallow (Sidalcea nelsoniana)
If you want to help protect nature in Oregon, you can find more information online. The ODFW also has maps. These maps show other great places to see wildlife.
Fun Activities at Erratic Rock
There's an easy path to the top of the hill. It's about 0.2 miles (320 meters) long. The path is paved and goes past a vineyard and an orchard. Most of the path is fairly flat. The last 100 meters are a bit steeper. The giant rock waits for you at the end of the path.
Erratic Park is also a great place for popular outdoor hobbies. These include birding, butterfly collecting, photography, and geocaching.
Birdwatching Fun
Birdwatchers will love Yamhill County. There are many places to watch birds here. Erratic Rock is one of them. You can find a full list of Oregon birds online. This list helps you know what birds to look for. You can also find information about rare bird sightings.
Butterfly Collecting (with care!)
Many different kinds of butterflies live in the Erratic area. You might see swallowtails (Papilioninae), parnassians (Parnassiinae), whites (Pierinae), and sulphurs (Coliadinae). The Fender's blue butterfly also lives here. However, this butterfly is endangered. So, it should not be collected. You can see a large collection of Oregon butterflies at the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. This helps everyone learn about Oregon's amazing insects. Remember, collecting animals and plants is not allowed in Oregon's state parks.
Photography Opportunities
The park offers many chances for great photos. You can take pictures of nature up close. You can also capture wide, beautiful landscapes.
Geocaching Adventures
Geocaching is like a modern-day treasure hunt. You use GPS to find hidden containers called "caches." The size and availability of caches depend on who hides and takes care of them. Erratic Rock State Park has at least one traditional size cache.
Erratic Park also takes part in a game called Tangleboxing. This game is similar to geocaching. Yamhill County and City of McMinnville Parks and Recreation created it. Tanglebox is a treasure hunt played outdoors in the summertime. Tangleboxes are hidden in eleven different Yamhill Park sites. Each tanglebox is clearly marked but hidden well.
Visiting Erratic Rock
Besides the huge boulder, the hilltop offers amazing views. You can see the Oregon Coast Range and the valley below. This includes beautiful vineyards and farms. The 0.2-mile paved path to the top is great for a walk. It also offers chances to watch birds. The park is managed by the state parks department. It's a day-use park, so no overnight stays. There's a sign that tells you about the park. You can also find a picnic table at this 4.4-acre park. Erratic Rock is in the Yamhill County, Oregon Winery district. There are many places nearby to taste Oregon Wine within 10 miles.
