Mushroom Rock State Park

Mushroom Rock State Park is the smallest state park in Kansas but also one of the most curious.

Located off of a rural stretch of backroad between Salina and Ellsworth, don’t be surprised if you start questioning its worthiness on the trek here. It’s kind of in the middle of nowhere, which is also what makes it so special.

Regarded as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography, this 5-acre park is known for its strange rock formations resembling mushrooms.

What are the mushrooms at Mushroom Rock State Park made of? According to Kansas State Parks, they are cemented calcium carbonate - basically sandstone and sedimentary rock held together in the form of a naturally-occurring cement. This cementing occurred when beach sands and sediments formed together during the Cretaceous Period over 66 million years ago.

As its a start park, there is a fee to enter, or admission is included with an annual permit.