“Juno, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore!”

The 70-foot striped golden cliffs above us looked like something out of Utah, or even Mars. But we were in Kansas: at Monument Rocks.

Monument Rocks is just 30 minutes off I-70 near the Oakley, Kansas exit. It’s well worth the detour, especially if you can hit it at sunrise or golden hour (like we did) when the cliffs take on a rosy light.

Monument Rocks Geology: What are the Monument Rocks made out of?

The Monument Rocks are remnants of the enormous inland sea that covered much of the modern-day United States, known as the Western Interior Seaway, some 80 million years ago. The cliffs are composed of soft limestone (chalk) that once formed the ocean bottom, which means the entire area is littered with aquatic fossils and prehistoric shark teeth!

Is camping allowed?

No. Monument Rocks is on private property and camping is never allowed. The property is free to visit and is open sunrise to sunset each day. Please don’t climb on the rocks or carve anything into the cliffs, and be sure to pack out any of your trash. (No restrooms or trash receptacles are available.)

Directions to Monument Rocks near Oakley, Kansas

Monument Rocks is 20 miles south of Oakley on U.S. 83, about 30 miles off I-70.

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Have you been to Monument Rocks before? What other hidden gems should we explore in Kansas? Let me know below!

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