If you’re traveling in North Central Kansas, just outside Minneapolis, Kansas, I have the ultimate pitstop for you: Rock City, Kansas!
Here, you’ll find a bunch of massive sandstone spheres, called “concretions,” scattered around, kinda like giant marbles. There are about 200 of these big rocks, some as wide as 27 feet, covering an area about the size of two football fields. Rock City, Kansas, is a National Natural Landmark. It’s the only place in the world where you can find so many of these alien-like concretions in one area. (There’s a smaller cluster of pedestal concretions at Mushroom Rock State Park in Brookville, Kansas.)
Read Next: 15+ Things to Do in Abilene KS (Abilene is about 45 minutes from Rock City Park, KS.
Just so you know, I visited Rock City as part of a press trip, allowing me to explore and share all the details with you.
How The Concretions Were Formed
Rock City rocks are calcite-cemented concretions that took shape millions of years ago when Kansas was underwater. As groundwater flowed through the sandstone, it left behind lime deposits that formed super-strong calcite crystals that continued to grow. Over time, erosion wore away the softer sandstone, revealing many of these hardened concretions.
WHAT CAN YOU DO AT ROCK CITY, KS?
Climb the Rocks!
The best part about visiting Kansas’ Rock City is that you can climb the rocks to your heart’s content. The park has three clusters of rocks to explore, so allow plenty of time to wander around and explore.
Hunt For the Named Landmarks
Remember to grab a map when you enter, and look for nine named rock formations. The doughnut hole is the easiest to spot—it’s right near the entrance, so you can’t miss it.
Other named formations include Twin Sisters, Kissing Rocks, Earth in a Saucer, Bathtub, Turtle, Lips, and Giant’s Easy Chair. Even though the locations are marked on the map, I had a bit of trouble spotting them. Maybe you’ll have a knack for it?
Walk the Nature Trails
I didn’t have time to walk the trails, but two mowed half-mile loop trails wind through the park past native grasses and vibrant wildflowers.
Have a Picnic
Rock City has a nice picnic area, a gazebo, and plenty of benches scattered throughout the park. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and savor your lunch. And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not climb up on a boulder and enjoy a picnic with a view?
Visit the Gift Shop
The gift shop is open seasonally, typically when school lets out for the summer until around Labor Day. I’m a souvenir junkie, so I’m sad I didn’t have time to check it out! Buy something for me?
VISITING ROCK CITY PARK, KS
Pro Tip: Wear insect repellent. I visited on a sunny summer day and never saw them coming, but I left with SO many mosquito bites! The bugs are awful, so please be prepared.
Address: 1051 Ivy Road, Minneapolis, KS
Hours: The grounds are open from dawn to dusk, and the gift shop is open seasonally from 9 to 5.
Admission: $4 for adults, 50¢ for children. Admission fee box when office is closed.
Restrooms: Yes
Picnic Facilities: Yes
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