In Ellsworth County, Kansas, approximately 20 miles southwest of Salina, is the smallest state park in Kansas. This 5-acre park is called Mushroom Rock State Park and is about 2 miles south of the highway on scenic county roads.
This park has a unique thing going on called “concretions.”
While there may be more concretions at this park than visible today, they are partially or fully covered by soil. The underlying rock is soft sandstone. The concretions which form the rocks are cemented calcium carbonate.
These big rocks are mushroom-shaped. The unusual shapes have been an attraction to people for many years. People say that some of the graffiti left in the stone is from Native Americans and pioneers.
In my video above, you will notice on one of the rocks a simple three-word sentence. It says, “I LOVE MOM.”
I guess if you’re going to deface a surface, whether it is a rock, a wall, or a tree, if you write, “I LOVE MOM,” it may seem less like vandalism.
Either way, if you’re in the Salina, Kansas area, Mushroom Rock State Park is an interesting sight for the eyes. I hope you take the time to go and check it out.
Mushroom Rock State Park may be the smallest state park in Kansas, but I think it is also one of the coolest!