Elephant Rocks: Born, Worn and Torn
By Janet Price, Park Naturalist,
Mo. Dept. of Natural Resources
"I'm an Elephant Rock and I stand on top with my friends
all in a row. We were born in the basement of volcanoes that blew
about a billion-plus years ago.
"Underneath the ground, we just hung around. That's where
my corners got worn. Then the rain washed around us and you finally
found us! And that's how Elephant Rocks was born."
Elephant Rocks State Park is truly a Missouri marvel. Located
in the St. Francois Mountains of Southeast Missouri, huge rounded
granite boulders stand like stone pachyderms atop a granite dome.
If these "elephants" could sing, they'd tell you their
story.
They'd tell you about how they were BORN: Hot magma was forced
just below the surface, where it cooled and cracked. They'd tell
you how they were WORN: A billion years of erosion rounded out
the sharp edges, carrying away about 1.5 miles of rock above them
and around them. They'd tell you about being TORN: A century
of human use carried away much of the area's granite for use as
building materials, paving blocks for roads, and tombstones.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources invites you to explore
this geologic wonder. Step into the center ring with Dumbo, one
of the largest fully-exposed boulders standing tall (27 feet tall,
as a matter of fact). Weighing in at approximately 680 tons (yes,
tons that's more than one million pounds!), Dumbo takes
his bow as the star of the show.
But don't take the others for "granite" Most of these
boulders are bigger than even the biggest visitor! Walk among
these giants. Press your hand against their rough hide and feel
the tough quartz crystals poke your tender skin. Get "lost"
in the maze of new giants yet to be completely born. It will
be an experience you'll never forget!
Elephant Rocks State Park is easily accessible along a paved,
one-mile trail surrounding the "main attraction". This
Braille trail provides access for those with visual or physical
disabilities. Signs along the trail are in print and in Braille,
giving information about this unique area.
The trail takes you past a quarry pond, now home to a variety
of wildlife. Pass through "Fat Man's Squeeze", an enlarged
fracture which someday may separate the partially-buried boulders.
Follow a short spur trail to the top of this granite dome, where
you can wander among these magnificent creatures. Another short
spur overlooks an old quarry site. Here you can see stair-step
ledges and piles of scrap rock, still amazingly sharp-edged, even
after 100 years of exposure to the elements a testament
to the durability of this stone.
After a jaunt through the ancient granite, rest awhile. Have
a picnic at one of thirty sites, many tucked in amongst the giants.
Then visit other nearby state parks and historic sites in the
St. Francois Mountains.
Elephant Rocks State Park is in Graniteville in Iron County, along
State Highway 21. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during
the summer. For more information, check out the website at www.mostateparks.com.
You can also write for information care of Fort Davidson State
Historic Site, P.O. Box 509, Pilot Knob, MO 63663-0509, or call
1-800-334-6946 (toll-free) or 573-546-3454 (direct).