An Outdoor Adventure at Elephant Rocks State Park

If you’re seeing pink elephants while visiting southeastern Missouri, don’t worry; you’re not hallucinating. Elephant Rocks State Park is famed for its ancient granite boulders that stand like a line of runaway circus elephants against the landscape of the Saint Francois Mountains. During your stay at Arcadia Valley Bungalows, we invite you to experience this unique arrangement of granite rock on a hike, picnic, or rock climbing excursion.

How Were the Rocks Formed?

To briefly summarize the 1.4-billion-year history of the Missouri Elephant Rocks, this peculiar occurrence is a result of weathered Graniteville Granite. From the very beginning, cooled magma formed the Graniteville Granite, and over the course of history, erosion shaped the boulders’ layers. Thus, the sturdy elephant-like form seen in these rocks today was created.

Why Visit the Elephant Rocks?

Let's address the elephant in the room. What exactly makes Elephant Rocks State Park an attraction that keeps visitors coming back again and again for outdoor activities near Arcadia and Pilot Knob?

The park gives opportunities for visitors to…

Learn: The ancient history of the Elephant Rocks is evident in their shape, as they were eroded over time by natural water flow.
Explore: With a focus on accessibility, the park caters to visitors of all ages, skill levels, and physical abilities.
Reconnect with nature: Admire these naturally formed granite structures in a wooded setting. The site was designated a natural area and deemed a state park for its outstanding geological features.

The Best Way to Reach the Elephant Rocks

Journey through the Saint Francois Mountains along the Braille Trail—the state park’s most notable user-friendly path. The trail is known as the first in Missouri’s state parks to be designed for those with visual and physical disabilities. Read on to discover what separates the Braille Trail from other walking routes in and around the Elephant Rocks State Park.

Braille Trail

Length: 1 mile

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Hiking Duration: 26 minutes

Hikers can experience spur trails that branch off from the Braille and lead to fascinating sites. One such is a passage through what’s known as the “Fat Man’s Squeeze” which takes visitors to an abandoned quarry. Another spur is “The Maze,” where hikers can admire a 100-foot section of boulders that are scattered in an intriguing arrangement. For those who plan on picnicking, the park includes ADA-compliant facilities for such pursuits.

Trail Overview

The paved parking lot at the base of the Braille Trail includes 4 designated spaces that are van accessible. Benches and picnic tables are placed throughout for guest use, and the south end of the path has a wheelchair-accessible bathroom. A playground is also available for visitors to enjoy.

Elephant Rocks Natural Area covers a total of 7.5 acres, and the Braille Trail facilitates access to its entirety. Be sure to pay heed to the interpretive signage dispersed along the path and be cautious of potentially slippery surfaces. There may also be wood or stone steps at some points of the trail.

In preparation for your visit to Elephant Rocks State Park, view a map of the Braille Trail to get an idea of where you’ll be heading. Our goal at Arcadia Valley Bungalows is to provide a worry-free experience and help you navigate the landscapes of southeastern Missouri with ease. More information about maps of Elephant Rocks State Park can be found here.

Historical significance

The east entrance takes hikers along a gravel trail to the ruins of an old engine house. In the 1890s, train engines and cars from the Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad were repaired at this site.

It continued to service Sheehan Quarry operations in the area that we now know as Elephant Rocks State Park. By 1902, Missouri red granite was being shipped throughout the country, and 16 granite cars were being operated on a regular basis.

Since 1869, the pink-tinted granite that comprises the elephants has been quarried for the construction of buildings from Massachusetts to California—particularly in St. Louis. As a specific example, the piers of Eads Bridge in St. Louis were made using the granite from Elephant Rocks. The city’s streets were also paved with granite stones, which can still be seen today at Laclede’s Landing.

A Geological Wonder

As you walk around the boulders and climb atop the granite elephants, remember that you are at the geological core of the Ozark ecoregion. Even still, the weathering process takes place upon the rocks with the help of blackjack oak, farkleberry, and winged sumac. This vegetation sprouts in the nooks and crannies of the rocks. Algae and fungi that take nearly a year to grow a mere half-inch naturally cling to the rocks’ surface as well.

Considering these special characteristics of the park, rest assured that you won’t need the memory of an elephant to have a memorable visit to Elephant Rocks State Park.

Stay at Arcadia Valley Bungalows

We at Arcadia Valley Bungalows look forward to providing you an unforgettable stay in southeast Missouri. Convenient access to the Elephant Rocks is only one of many amenities offered to our guests. Adventure awaits in the heart of Arcadia. Check availability and make a reservation at one of Missouri’s top lodging businesses, Arcadia Valley Bungalows.