There’s No Other Landmark In Missouri Quite Like This 1.5-Billion Year Old Natural Wonder
By Beth Price-Williams|Published January 05, 2023
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Missouri’s brimming with unique natural and manmade wonders – from Blue Spring to Gateway National Arch – that leave us in awe. Chances are you’ve at least heard of, if not visited, one of the oldest natural wonders in Missouri. It dates back nearly two billion years and grabs the imagination of visitors of all ages.
Visitors from Missouri and beyond flock to Elephant Rocks State Park all year round to see the unique granite boulders that are lined up like elephants in a circus.
Created from granite that’s believed to be 1.5 billion years old, Elephant Rocks have become one of the shining stars of the state park system. Little ones love climbing on the boulders, which promise one-of-a-kind photo ops.
A geological wonder, Elephant Rocks began forming during the Precambrian era, when molted rock started gathering below the surface of the earth. As it cooled, it took on a reddish color.
Numerous factors, including erosion, lead to the boulders being formed underground and eventually, when the earth above it wore away, the boulders became exposed above ground.
The elements cause the boulders to continue to change even to this day. Boulders become rounder, for example, as a result of rain that freezes. You might notice lichen on Elephant Rocks, too.
Elephant Rocks sit in the seven-acre Elephant Rocks Natural Area, which you will find along the picturesque Braille Trail. The trail tallies just one-mile and is easy.
It will take you right to Elephant Rocks and to the remains of a historic engine house. You definitely don’t want to forget your camera on this one-of-a-kind Missouri trail.
Have you been to this unique natural wonder in Missouri? What did you think? Share your experience in the comments! Then take a peek at the seven beautiful Missouri destinations you probably didn’t know existed.
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