Elephant Rocks State Park
Elephant Rocks State Park
5
About
The elephant-shaped boulders at Elephant Rocks State Park may not be the stars of a circus, but these giant granite boulders are the stars of this unusual park in southeast Missouri. An easy way to see the rocks is from the Braille Trail, which was especially designed for people with visual and physical disabilities. The trail winds through the main area of rocks. An extension off the trail leads back to the ruins of an old railroad engine house, a remnant of the area’s quarrying and railroad history. Picnic tables are scattered among the trees and provide inviting spots to have a picnic lunch or rest and enjoy the interesting geologic formations found throughout the park.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
366 reviews
Excellent
289
Very good
69
Average
7
Poor
1
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0
Echolynn
Lexington, SC331 contributions
Jun 2022
I had never before seen anything like this in my life. Florida is a very flat place, and we have some neat sinkholes and limestone formations, but boulders like these? No way. As soon as we pulled in I was in wonder. We explored the south side first, and I had a blast climbing all over the rocks and getting to the overlook of the little lake. Then we followed the actual path back to the quarry and the main overlook and I was genuinely in awe. The views were all stunning, the rocks themselves are amazing, and the history is just really really neat.
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Schisler1978
Saint Louis, Missouri47 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
We went to Elephant Rocks with our grandchildren, two teens and a ten year old. They had a great time climbing on the rocks. We are both in our early sixties and in decent shape so we were able to keep up with them pretty well. We did not climb up on the really high rocks with them, but just watched from the trail. In all honesty some of their climbing was a bit scary, but we made it through the trail with no injuries.
This is a beautiful park with a nice picnic area. They also have a playground which we did not visit. You can hike here on your own off the trail and through the various rock formations or you can follow the paved Braille Trail. We did a little of both. If you are going with small children or are not in good shape I would recommend the Braille Trail.
This is a beautiful park with a nice picnic area. They also have a playground which we did not visit. You can hike here on your own off the trail and through the various rock formations or you can follow the paved Braille Trail. We did a little of both. If you are going with small children or are not in good shape I would recommend the Braille Trail.
Written April 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Davigeta
Saint Louis, MO969 contributions
Apr 2021
This is a very scenic state park, with many interesting rock formations, an old quarry with a lake filling in some of it, and the ruins of an engine house used by the quarry company to repair train cars and engines for operating a private railway for transportation of quarry products. The main path is about a mile, the Braille Trail. The trail is wheelchair accessible. One of the best parts is that there are LOTS of side paths available to explore. A really nice place for kids and their parents.
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beverly D
Morris Plains, NJ209 contributions
Jun 2021
The Elephant Rocks "train" was a bit hard to imagine. These huge, granite boulders, worn and rounded by the forces of erosion were certainly massive but a circus train, they were not. We visited on a very hot and muggy day, walking the braille trail to the rock formations. We were able to climb out onto the boulders and marveled at nature's ability to modify these rocks into their rounded shapes but the elephant concept eluded us. If one is in the area, I would say check it out but I don't think it was worth a 90 minute drive in each direction.
Written July 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CortMc
Meadows Place, TX26 contributions
Jun 2021
Elephant Rocks used to be a large granite quarry. Many of the grand buildings of nearby St. Louis were faced with red granite mined here. There are remnants of the mining operation, including an abandoned workshop built of local stone and graffiti carved into the rocks by long-ago quarrymen. Some of the names and messages date back to the 1890s. This is a place well worth visiting. Plan to spend at least an hour here.
Written June 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juliann B
Wilmington, IL159 contributions
Jun 2020
I saw some photos of this park and just had to go. Elephant Rocks SP and the State high point were what attracted me to take the trip here to the St. Francois mountains. I saw the photos and just had to go. Well marked and maintained trail, informative signs advising the history of the rocks, and the rocks themselves... simply amazing. The park was a little crowded, but it was a Sunday so we expected it. Very little litter, no graffiti. This park is a gem.
Written July 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cryptic_Tourist
Saint Louis, MO668 contributions
Jan 2021 • Friends
My friend and I came here for a nice and easy early morning hike. When we pulled in there was NO ONE else there! Huge difference between going there in the summer time when you can barely find any parking!
Everything looked super elegant and pretty covered in a nice layer of snow and ice. The trail was a bit slick but it was definitely still walkable if you watch your step. Surprisingly, the rocks were totally dry and we scrambled up and got some great shots. We spent about an hour or so and got to see everything there. When we left, there were only two other cars parked. Just a note, the toilets are locked up for the season, BUT, there are still latrines available. Overall, I would totally recommend this as a winter visit if you’ve never done it before.
Everything looked super elegant and pretty covered in a nice layer of snow and ice. The trail was a bit slick but it was definitely still walkable if you watch your step. Surprisingly, the rocks were totally dry and we scrambled up and got some great shots. We spent about an hour or so and got to see everything there. When we left, there were only two other cars parked. Just a note, the toilets are locked up for the season, BUT, there are still latrines available. Overall, I would totally recommend this as a winter visit if you’ve never done it before.
Written January 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KB231blue
Upstate New York226 contributions
Jul 2022
Wish I had more time to explore. We stopped on our way from the Ozark NSR to St. Louis and we only hiked part of a trail but it was an absolute joy. The trail is very well maintained and there are waysides along the trail. It was cooler in the shade and it was fun exploring among these boulders. For an extra treat there was a vendor in the parking lot with snow cones to cool off in the heat! I highly recommend this park the the young and young at heart.
Written August 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Washburns
Edwardsville, IL242 contributions
Sep 2020
Wasn't sure what to expect when a friend suggested we visit Elephant Rocks State Park. It was simply amazing. Yes, it is just a huge jumble of very large marble rocks but the overall impact of walking among, between and over these huge monoliths is indescribable.
There is a loop trail with multiple side trails as well as well worn paths to amazing views and opportunities to climb. Did not see a single bored kid the whole time we were there.
If you just walk the loop trail it can be done in less than an hour. But to really see and experience the park takes quite a bit longer, allow 2 - 3 hours.
All signage on the trail is also in braille. The loop trail is paved, wheel chair accessible though some short sections may be a bit steep for a chair.
Restrooms are available in the parking lot. There is no drinking water in the park other than the vending machines at the restrooms. There is a sizeable picnic area off the parking lot.
Spending some time with the kiosk as you enter the trail will make the rest of the walk much more rewarding and help to understand what you see.
There is a loop trail with multiple side trails as well as well worn paths to amazing views and opportunities to climb. Did not see a single bored kid the whole time we were there.
If you just walk the loop trail it can be done in less than an hour. But to really see and experience the park takes quite a bit longer, allow 2 - 3 hours.
All signage on the trail is also in braille. The loop trail is paved, wheel chair accessible though some short sections may be a bit steep for a chair.
Restrooms are available in the parking lot. There is no drinking water in the park other than the vending machines at the restrooms. There is a sizeable picnic area off the parking lot.
Spending some time with the kiosk as you enter the trail will make the rest of the walk much more rewarding and help to understand what you see.
Written September 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Radrev
Winter Park, FL510 contributions
Aug 2021
We came with friends to do some evening hiking around these trails and rocks. It was so fun and interesting that we came back another evening to do it again. We could spend all day in this place. Lots of large rocks to "boulder" around on.
Written September 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where to stay
Dwayneg
Imperial, MO310 contributions
Several nice hotels and good restaurants are available in the nearby town of Farmington, MO about 15-20 minutes away. That's a nice small town with Wal-Mart and all the usual stuff.
Do they have a closing time?
Gail M
Olathe, KS86 contributions
I believe when it starts to get dark
NorthStar670324
Saint Louis, MO
Are there places to grill?
DuneBug2
Illinois366 contributions
Yes, there are grills by the picnic tables.
occams-razor
Antioch, IL89 contributions
is there a fee or park pass you need to enter?
Amy R
Saint Louis, MO96 contributions
It is free. The only money to spend is in the small "convenience" shop.
Musicgal10
Memphis, TN
Is it safe to travel alone?
Teresa M
Wappapello, MO55 contributions
by all means yes paths are open and park is only open in daylight hours
Is this on the way to Lake of the Ozarks ?
Cindy L
95 contributions
No, this is located in southeast Missouri in the St. Francois Mountains. Lake of the Ozarks is in central Missouri, south of Jefferson City and Columbia.
Are dogs allowed at the park?
sunrunner68
Kansas City11 contributions
Yes. They are allowed at Elephant Rocks, but not at the nearby Johnson Shut Ins.
ynevamo
Nevada, MO
how long is the trail? what is the price?
BoiWander
Saint Louis, MO76 contributions
Please be advised!!!!
If the weather is or has been wet and rainy these rocks become extremely treacherous! They have moss growing on them and my wife only got part way up one small rock and fell face first on the rocks. I do not recommend visiting this place under weather conditions other than sunny.
Elephant Rocks State Park (Belleview) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Elephant Rocks State Park
- Hotels near Elephant Rocks State Park:
- (5.77 mi) Arcadia Academy
- (3.84 mi) Shepherd Mountain Inn & Suites
- (3.49 mi) Fort Davidson Hotel
- (7.08 mi) Plain & Fancy Bed & Breakfast
- (9.10 mi) Old Caledonian Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near Elephant Rocks State Park:
- (3.88 mi) Baylee Jos BBQ
- (5.79 mi) Thee Abbey Kitchen
- (3.42 mi) FDC Fort Davidson Cafe
- (3.50 mi) The Rustler Cafe
- (3.93 mi) The Iron Mule
- Attractions near Elephant Rocks State Park:
- (3.44 mi) Fort Davidson State Historic Site
- (2.89 mi) Arcadia Valley
- (9.00 mi) Old Village Mercantile
- (9.47 mi) Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
- (4.96 mi) Arcadia Valley Soap Company
Elephant Rocks State Park Information
Excellent Reviews | 289 |
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Very Good Reviews | 69 |
Elephant Rocks State Park Photos | 265 |