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Jim H.

My wife had seen information on Monument Rocks Natural Landmark and we had tried to visit on a previous trip across Kansas but got some bad directions and ended up on dirt road 20 miles before we were supposed to get to Monument Rocks. This time, we planned better and took the Oakley exit from I-70 and followed route 83 south out of Oakley to Jayhawk Road. From the interesection of 83 and Jayhawk, it is about 7 miles on well maintained dirt/gravel roads - a pretty easy drive. There are two main groups of rock formations - one on either side of the road. We spent a good 30-45 minutes walking around and exploring the formations. NOTE - Mounment Rocks is on PRIVATE PROPERTY but the owners allow access to the sites - so please be respecctful of the Rocks to ensure continued access. ALSO NOTE - this is a totally rustic site and there are NO FACILITIES of any kind. The rock formations are incredible and are so totally out of place on the plains of Kansas. It's a good 30-40 minutes from I-70 via route 83, but, if you have the time, a visit is definitely worth the detour. We exited the site by continuing to the south rather that back-tracking the way we came in. It's about 7-8 miles of dirt/gravel road (well maintained) to exit via Dakota Road back onto route 83 at the southern end of the site.

08.31.24
Harlee S.

A cool little spot out in the middle of nowhere Kansas. I wouldn't go out of your way to come here, but if your "passing through" it's definitely worth a stop.

You shall not pass!
Chrissy A.

I think my rating would have been a lot higher if we had actually made it to the formations. And maybe we didn't follow the correct directions! But GPS took us down this really long dirt road...they said it was about 13 miles. I knew from other reviews (here and other places online) that said this was on private property but open to the public. Well about 3 miles down this dirt road, we came to an impasse. A herd of cattle blocked the road and said, YOU SHALL NOT PASS! LOL. Since we were in the middle of nowhere (and not super sure where we were) AND in a rented vehicle, we decided to turn around and find Little Jerusalem. I'm still hoping to one day see this place...hopefully with better directions next time.

Jacqueline T.

This place was a stop for us on our cross country RV trip. It's a good 40 minute drive off the highway, so it's not really a quick stop. The formations are pretty cool. There are two different groups of them on either side of the road. We probably spent less than an hour here total. It's not a big area. It's really interesting that the formations are in the middle of no where. There's just completely flat land around. If you're looking for a stop, this one is a good one. I'm not sure it was completely worth it to me, but they are impressive.

Jeff D.

Monument Rocks is truly a hidden gem in Kansas. I heard about Monument Rocks on the internet, and just had to stop through on the drive through Kansas -- I'm definitely glad I did! Getting to Monument Rocks isn't too difficult, but be aware that the section of dirt road on the way into it can get fairly muddy if it's rained recently. On a clear day with good weather, I think just about any vehicle could navigate the road (albeit potentially uncomfortably depending on the state of the dirt). We went in an off-road ready truck and it was easy going, but there were crossovers and RVs that had pulled in as well. Monument Rocks itself is a great experience and honestly reminded me of some locations like Zion and Arches National Parks -- except with way less people and you can get much closer to the spectacle! If you happen to be going near this area on I-70, I'd set aside 2 hours and deviate course a bit to check out Monument Rocks!

Monument rocks arch
Leah M.

Made it just in time for sunset and it was beautiful! Is on private property so not bathrooms

Chrystal G.

This place is literally in a field, off of a highway in the middle of nothing, in absolutely nowhere Kansas. Kidding! Sort of. It's definitely off of the beaten path. And there is definitely a lot of nothing. Make sure if you go, follow the signs, and NOT the gps. The gps will just take you to the other side of town, to another field, in the middle of nothing. And some of the signs just pop up out of nowhere and are smaller and harder to see. Would I go back? Probably not. Absolutely not. But was it worth going at all? Absolutely! Just make sure you hit the bathroom at the gas station when you get off the exit, or you're screwed if you have to pee. The rocks are listed as the first natural historic landmark in the US. So it's pretty cool to see first hand. It's also a fossil site, but no digging. It's located on private property, and it is a bit of a drive off of the highway. The land owners are gracious enough to keep it open to the public as long as their property is respected. It's usually surrounded by their cattle herd, but when we went they were a bit off in the distance. It is beautiful. And I'm glad to knock it off my travel/bucket list. Not too many people can say they've seen them if they don't live in the area. So if you ever do find yourself in the middle of nowhere Kansas, right near Oakley, check this place out. Completely worth the hassle, train crossing, and long drive.

Ginger M.

Beautiful place, though pretty hard to find using GPS. We eventually located it. A friend visited last year and I put it on my bucket list after seeing his great photos. It reminds me of a miniature version of The Badlands, but still gorgeous and awe-inspiring. I love that the cows in adjacent fields are free to roam through here too. Privately owned and free to all, which is refreshing. A must see!

Sarah C.

One of the 8 wonders of Kansas. On my solo road trip, I debated if I should stop by here because it is off the beaten path and then I thought I might not have the chance to come this way again. I am glad I did go to see this wonder. It is located on the western edge of Gove County. I was on my way from Colorado to Topeka, KS. Monument Rocks, a series of large, heavily sculpted chalk monoliths, sometimes referred to as the Chalk Pyramids. The site has been designated as a National Natural Landmark. The history was that the chalk was deposited during the Cretaceous Period of geologic history, about 80 million years ago, when the central interior of the U.S. was covered by a seaway. As I recall, it is on a private property but the landowners are amenable to visitors and there is no special permission is required. The drive was less than 20 miles from busy Interstate 70, and they are perfect for a short side trip.  It was peaceful and great opportunity for photo stop. There is no camping, bathroom or anything like that.

P J.

beautiful natural rock formations in quiet area with no one for miles around. We came here on our road trip across country and we were the only ones here. One thing to note: you drive about 10-15 miles on unsaved roads to get here.

not many people out here so nobody photobombed!
Parker Avery F.

such a cool site!! really in the middle of nowhere, but you can drive right up to landmark and see everything with no hike at all! very unique structure that contrasts greatly with the rest of the kansas terrain. cool picture opportunity!

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Good place, not a good drive for a sedan. This is one of those landmarks that God says let's do something against natural explanations.

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Review Highlights - Monument Rocks

The rock formations are incredible and are so totally out of place on the plains of Kansas.

Mentioned in 7 reviews

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Fick Fossil & History Museum - Pencil display

Fick Fossil & History Museum

(3 reviews)

We were in Oakley to see the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center on our way to Monument Rocks and Little…read moreJersuleum State Park - both just about 20 miles south of Oakley. While at the Buffalo Bill Center, we spotted signs for the Fick Fossil and History Museum which is practically across the street from the Buffalo Bill Center. So, we decided to stop for a quick visit. This is a great little museum and was an unexpected find in the middle of Kansas. In my opinion, this was more of a history museum than a fossil museum although they did have several impressive fossil displays. Having recently visited the Sternberg Museum, I was more interested in some of the historical exhibits than I was in seeing more fossil displays. Admission is free; it's convenient to I-70 (Oakley exit). Allow 1-2 hours, longer if you have kids.

This museum was awesome! My sister and I stopped in here on our way to Denver and it was an amazing…read moredecision. It was free to enter and no more than 2 minutes off of highway 70, so no worries if you're on a budget. We planned to get in and out in an hour, which did not happen. We took 2 hours. It was very very fun, but don't come here if you like fossils and have somewhere to be! All of the fossils were found here, and they also have a wide variety of natural, local, and American historical artifacts. They even had some artifacts/pieces of stone from international landmarks (like Vesuvius and Egyptian tombs)! All in all, a very neat little gem off the side of the highway.

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park - Prairie rattlesnake right next to the path

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

(7 reviews)

My wife saw a magazine article that said "if you like the Badlands (I think in the Dakotas), then…read moreyou'll like Little Jerusalem Badlands State Parkin Kansas. We tried visiting here on a trip across Kansas last summer but the weather wasn't cooperating and someone suggested we avoid the dirt road in and out of the park in the rain. This year - the weather cooperated and we were able to visit Mounment Rock (nearby) AND Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. Both sites are a surprise to find in the middle of Kansas. Particularly surprising if you think of Kansas as the "PLAINS" and as "BEING FLAT". The scenery and rock formations ar Little Jerusalem are incredibly beautiful. There are two different walking (hiking) trails into the site - we opted for the shorter trail which gives you a good view sort of from above while the longer trail takes you down into the site. As another reviewed commented - the scenery is a stark contrast to the vast plains. The site is about 20-25 miles SOUTH of Oakley. Take the Oakley exit from I-70 and follow route 83 south. The site is well marked and is a few miles up a dirt road from route 83. This is on the west side of route 83 -- BUT on the east side - don't miss Mounment Rocks National Mounment - it's also about 7 miles of dirt road from route 83 but is practically across the road from Little Jerusalem. Well worth a detour off of I-70.

I really REALLY loved this park! First, FYI...if you're not a US. Park Pass holder, it's going to…read morebe $5 to visit...but totally worth it! (And on the honor system since it's in the middle of nowhere!) The directions to get here were very easy to follow, not only on the GPS but road signs as well. It wasn't too far out of the way like some of the other limestone formations I've visited. There is a nice area to take photos and the views are STUNNING. I did not take any of the hikes...I wanted to but it was 99* and there was no shade. This is definitely on my lists of places to revisit, especially when the temperature isn't so brutal. There is a bathroom on site but no potable water so please make sure that you bring your own drinking water.

Monument Rocks - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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