Rocks. They’re everywhere, and we often take them for granted. But did you know that there’s one rock in Iowa that inspired an entire city park? No one is taking this massive boulder for granted, that’s for sure!

Here’s a puzzling mystery: how does a humongous granite boulder wind up in Linn County, Iowa when there’s no granite bedrock anywhere nearby?
City of Marion, Iowa Government / Facebook
What’s more, the matching metamorphic granite bedrock is as far away as Minnesota or even Canada!
As you probably guessed from the title, this is just one piece of evidence pointing to the massive hulks of ice that swept across Iowa long ago and delivered this stone.
City of Marion, Iowa
The weight of the glaciers was enough to plow up bedrock as hard as granite and leave a relatively smooth rock surface behind. Dislodged rocks called glacier erratics can be transported for vast distances (like Minnesota to Linn County, Iowa).
Not only is this magnificent piece of granite a glacier erratic; it's also the largest one found in Iowa!
Cedar Rapids Tourism

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Instead of residing in obscurity, this rock is the celebrity centerpiece of Waldo’s Rock Park in Marion.
City of Marion, Iowa
The park, which was completed in 2017, covers seven acres and includes a stocked fishing pond, pavilion, grilling spots, and trails connecting to the Grant Wood trail system.
City of Marion, Iowa Government / Facebook
The land was donated by local Waldo Morris who came to realize the significance of this glacial remnant. The rock was originally less than half way exposed, but with the development of the park, a better view of the rock was afforded. Sometimes, rock climbers even come here to find approaches to this rock that can test their skills.
Come out to this super unique park featuring a rock, water, and even a bit of prairie, and enjoy the simple beauty of a giant stone surrounded on three sides by the calm water of a peaceful pond.
City of Marion, Iowa Government / Facebook

To learn more about Waldo’s Rock Park, visit the City of Marion’s website. And if you love local Iowa geology, don’t miss other fascinating rocks around the state, including the ones you’ll spot at Geode State Park or the Devonian Fossil Gorge.

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Waldo's Rock Park, 6303 Partners Ave, Marion, IA 52302, USA