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.
Popular mentions
5.0
366 reviews
Excellent
289
Very good
69
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
0
MNP0000
Saint Louis, MO150 contributions
Oct 2022
Another wonderful Missouri State Park. Know for the large elephant size rocks the park is a great get away hike. Easy paved brail trail is handy cap access. Baby strollers also work. There are pit toilets and vending machines. Great place for a picnic.
Written 23 October 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.
valliam13
Sorrento, FL390 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
This was out of our way but worth the trip. We did the braille trail on this beautiful cool afternoon and we’re not disappointed. The scenery is beautiful and there are some plaques that tell you a bit about the rocks and how they came to be. If you’re in the area for a few days then head over to this free park and spend some time there. You’ll be glad you did.
Written 7 October 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.
Frugalmama57
Warren, IN1,033 contributions
Sep 2022
Great Trail! Paved, mostly shaded, not difficult at all. Loved seeing all of the huge, and I do mean HUGE rocks. Great place for kids and adults. Highly Recommend!
Written 30 September 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.
Rachel E
254 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Holy cow did we have a great time! And we were even there in August and it was SOOO HOT… we had a blast climbing and jumping all over the place! Can’t wait to go back again!
Written 25 August 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.
KB231blue
Upstate New York228 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 7 August 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.
stlgir1
Saint Louis, MO38 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Climbing, exploring and problem solving! My 11 year old boy has declared this his favorite spot. Lots of coins, books and crannies to explore and it wasn’t too hard for mom and dad to keep up. Pair their with Johnson Shut-Ins to fill the whole day.
Written 1 August 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.
Laquita o
1 contribution
Aug 2021
Great place for family time, history and exercise! Check out the engraving on the rocks, amazing! Enjoy
Written 12 July 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.
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 21 June 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.
Jane G
Joplin, MO76 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
This state park is amazing. There are boulders larger than elephants. It's a bit steep, but we 60-somethings were able to walk up the rock to the top. The path is mostly shaded, and fully paved. There is even braille on the trail. Although it is not just off an interstate, it's well worth the travel to the park.
Written 5 June 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.
Pressuredoc
Springfield, MO110 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Good area for hiking. The Elephant Rock are ok, just not what I expected. Definitely visit during the week, I can’t imagine what it is like on the weekend
Written 4 June 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.
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:
- (9.23 km) Arcadia Academy
- (6.15 km) Shepherd Mountain Inn & Suites
- (5.59 km) Fort Davidson Hotel
- (11.33 km) Plain & Fancy Bed & Breakfast
- (14.57 km) Old Caledonian Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near Elephant Rocks State Park:
- (6.20 km) Baylee Jos BBQ
- (9.26 km) Thee Abbey Kitchen
- (5.47 km) FDC Fort Davidson Cafe
- (5.61 km) The Rustler Cafe
- (6.28 km) The Iron Mule
- Attractions near Elephant Rocks State Park:
- (5.50 km) Fort Davidson State Historic Site
- (4.62 km) Arcadia Valley
- (14.40 km) Old Village Mercantile
- (15.15 km) Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
- (7.94 km) Arcadia Valley Soap Company