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All the United States Oregon McMinnville Erratic Rock State Natural Site
AO Edited

Erratic Rock State Natural Site

A 36-ton remnant of the last Ice Age now resides amid picturesque vineyards.

McMinnville, Oregon

Added By
velellavelella
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Erratic Rock State Natural Site   velellavelella / Atlas Obscura User
Erratic Rock State Natural Site   velellavelella / Atlas Obscura User
View from the top looking south   kayhoskins66 / Atlas Obscura User
  kayhoskins66 / Atlas Obscura User
The pull-off is opposite the trailhead.   Anna Minster / Atlas Obscura User
Enjoy the local flora and fauna.   velellavelella / Atlas Obscura User
View from the top of the glacial erratic.   velellavelella / Atlas Obscura User
Picnic table for scale.   velellavelella / Atlas Obscura User
The site is easy to miss, look for the brown recreational area signs.   velellavelella / Atlas Obscura User
  BE / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Thousands of years ago, cataclysmic floods inundated the Pacific Northwest and carried massive pieces of glaciers sailing across what is now Washington and Oregon. The floodwaters receded, stranding these icebergs. When they melted, they left behind large pieces of rock that had been carried from hundreds of miles away. Known as glacial erratics, these rocks differ in size and composition from native rocks. 

The largest known glacial erratic in the Willamette Valley perches serenely atop a hill near McMinnville and weighs around 36-tons. The massive rock was transported from Canada. Visitors making the short hike to the boulder might be lucky enough to see the neighboring farm animals or native plants in bloom.

This location is a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch or simply take in the expansive views of the valley. 

Related Tags

Glaciers Natural Wonders Natural History Nature

Know Before You Go

Though there are many signs for Erratic Rock in the area, it might be difficult to find at first because it is surrounded by private land. To get there, turn off Oregon Route 18 onto SW Oldsville Rd.

Park in the small pull-off on the side of the road and look for signs marking the trailhead. The park is open for day use only and has no facilities. 

Community Contributors

Added By

velellavelella

Edited By

CapnMunch, Vaquero, kayhoskins66, Anna Minster...

  • CapnMunch
  • Vaquero
  • kayhoskins66
  • Anna Minster
  • BE
  • cborlet

Published

May 3, 2021

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Sources
  • https://iafi.org/
  • http://hugefloods.com/
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wKOVZKimwg&list=PLwNJg2mCrcQRYmYJzHUv7YxO40JlNbAWe&index=10&t=2s
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFLFDCZaqL8&list=PLwNJg2mCrcQSWMxs2jvgp_lvpeffAUd6e&index=7&t=425s
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAj1h10rcR0&list=PLwNJg2mCrcQSWMxs2jvgp_lvpeffAUd6e&index=2&t=1s
Erratic Rock State Natural Site
17175 SW Oldsville Rd
McMinnville, Oregon, 97128
United States
45.137559, -123.290781
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Spruce Goose

McMinnville, Oregon

miles away

Evergreen Aviation Museum

McMinnville, Oregon

miles away

Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Dallas, Oregon

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of McMinnville

McMinnville

Oregon

Places 3

Nearby Places

The Spruce Goose

McMinnville, Oregon

miles away

Evergreen Aviation Museum

McMinnville, Oregon

miles away

Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Dallas, Oregon

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of McMinnville

McMinnville

Oregon

Places 3

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