Castle Rock (Kansas)

Castle Rock
Castle Rock
	Castle Rock in 2005
Highest point
Elevation	2,434 ft (742 m)
Prominence	70 ft (21 m)
Coordinates	38°51′40″N 100°10′11″W / 38.8611219°N 100.1698516°W
Geography
	Castle Rock Location in U.S.
Geology
Rock age	Cretaceous
Mountain type	Erosional remnant

Castle Rock is a 70 ft (21 m) tall chalk pillar landmark in Gove County, Kansas, United States. The formation and the nearby badlands are located in the Smoky Hills region of Kansas, which is approximately 11 miles south of I-70 near Quinter, Kansas.

Description

Castle Rock was a landmark on the Butterfield Overland Despatch route (Overland Trail). The chalk was deposited in the area by an ancient inland sea [1] The formation was carved by the weathering of the chalk by wind and water. It received its name because it is said to look like a castle rising above the prairie.

Weathering of the rock formation is increasing due to visitors climbing on the rocks. In 2001, following a thunderstorm, the tallest spire fell.

On January 29, 2008, Castle Rock and Monument Rocks 31 miles to the west were jointly named as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas.