Erratic Rock Natural Site: a journey to the Ice Age.

Would you love to see a 90-ton rock that was deposited during an Ice Age flood, that traveled from the Northern Rocky Mountains to Oregon? If so, Erratic Rock Natural site is your kind of State Park.

We love exploring these kinds of places like Erratic Rock Natural Site, where you can understand more about the events that created the landscapes we see and enjoy today, but thousands of years ago.

And talking about preferred destinations, for instance, the cultural, historical, or scientific related, are my son’s favorites (like this park). I love the forest, views, and hiking, and my daughter places with water! So you will see a couple of those elements in the destinations we pick.

The good thing is that the three of us have something we love in common, and it’s present in most of our adventures, Nature!

What to see and do at Erratic Rock Natural Site

Firstly, this is not your typical Oregon State Park. Although, if you love learning about what happened thousands of years ago that created the beautiful landscape we enjoy nowadays, you will like this place.

Erratic Rock Natural Site is located in McMinnville, Oregon, and features a 90-ton rock deposited on this during an Ice Age flood. However, this type of rock is not normally found in Oregon because it came from the Northern Rocky Mountains, Canada!

In particular, floodwaters nearly 1000 feet deep surged through the Columbia River Gorge, flooding the Willamette Valley, bringing boulders (called glacial erratics), and additionally different types of soil and materials that today make those fields so fertile.

In addition to the rock, this park features a hiking trail, spectacular views of the valley, and a picnic area.

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After a short (0.5 miles) but uphill hike from the trailhead, you will find the site with the rock, a place for picnicking, and you will enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Willamette Valley. Don’t miss that opportunity!

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Even though there are not so many amenities and activities to do, we really appreciated the learning experience, to hike a different type of trail and the views!

Also, this hike can be combined with a visit to farms or wineries nearby (so many great options there!). In our particular case, after this park, we drove to Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge to have our picnic there and hike its trails.

Finally, if you want to visit more Oregon State Parks, you will find our posts on the following page.

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Plan your trip

Main features/Amenities

• 0.5 miles paved trail (ADA accessible, stroller-friendly).
• 90-ton rock deposited on this during an Ice Age flood.
• Interpretive signs.
• Viewpoint.
• Picnic area.

Important information and tips

• Location: Erratic Rock State Natural Site, McMinnville, OR 97128.
• Official website.
• The park is open daily, year-round, from dawn to dusk.
• There is no restroom.
• The parking area in front of the trailhead is minimal and difficult to find.
• Since there are not so many activities to do, so I would suggest combining this destination with other activities.
• And please don’t take any of the rock as a souvenir (visitors have removed more than 70 tons!). Take only photos!
• Dog on leash.