Mushroom Rocks: An alien landscape in central Kansas
Mushroom Rock State Park, near Brookville, Kansas
A geological phenomenon known as “concretions” has resulted in toadstool formations and more otherworldy shapes on the Great Plains.
When you first see Mushroom Rocks, your immediate thoughts are, “What is that? And what is it doing there?” These sandstone formations are shockingly out of place in the rolling countryside of central Kansas.
What are they and how did they get there?
Well, let’s just say they’ve been there a long, long time. The “mushrooms” were once ocean sediment. When the sea retreated, sandstone remained. But some pockets of the rock were harder than others. The softer stone eroded, leaving the odd spires and formations that we call Mushroom Rock State Park. Geologists say there are many more concretions in the area, but they’re still below ground awaiting discovery. There are also more concretions to be found in the area, some of them on private land.
Mushroom Rock State Park is only five acres in size, so it would be a stretch to call it a destination in and of itself. However, it’s only minutes from one of Kansas’ premier scenic areas: Kanopolis State Park and Smoky Hill Wildlife Area. It’s also only 45 minutes from the spectacular Wilson Lake State Park, which is also home to many sandstone formations.
Address Avenue K, Brookville, Kansas 67425
