Castle Rock
Quinter, KS
A chalk spire and badlands rising from the prairie south of I-70. The dirt roads are impassable after rain; do not climb the fragile rock.
Castle Rock is a chalk pillar about 70 feet (21 meters) tall in Gove County, western Kansas, roughly 11 miles (18 km) south of Interstate 70 near Quinter. It is an erosional remnant from the Cretaceous: the rock was laid down in an ancient inland sea and later shaped by wind and water. It once served as a landmark on the Butterfield Overland Despatch, and in 2008 it was named, together with Monument Rocks, one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas.
Just to the south lie the Castle Rock Badlands, with canyons and hoodoos of Niobrara chalk and shale. The formations are fragile: the hoodoo Cobra Rock collapsed in 1998, and in 2001 the highest spire of Castle Rock lost about 10 feet after a thunderstorm. Climbing speeds up weathering, so please stay on existing paths.
For road trippers: from exit 107 on I-70 the route follows about 14 miles of Castle Rock Road and then further gravel tracks. They turn to mud after rain, and some stretches need four-wheel drive or high clearance. The land is privately owned and access is a courtesy; cattle may be on the road.
- Nearest town
- Quinter, KS
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 38.8620, -100.1720
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July–August. Cold, short days in January. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Motorhome stopoverMotorhome stopover19 mi from Castle RockMotorhomes
- KOA JourneyMotorhome stopover19 mi from Castle RockMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Kansas · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Castle Rock?
Castle Rock is in Quinter, KS, at GPS 38.8620, -100.1720. It is about 42 mi from Oakley.
Can you camp near Castle Rock?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is KOA Journey, about 19 mi away; within 25 mi there are 2 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Castle Rock?
Castle Rock is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Kansas chalk badlands and Bison, chalk pyramids and wagon ruts – by camper along the Santa Fe Trail, through the Flint Hills and the Smoky Hills to Dodge City.
What is there to see near Castle Rock?
Places worth a stop nearby: Monument Rocks (32 mi), Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park (41 mi), Lake Scott State Park (42 mi) and Sternberg Museum of Natural History (48 mi).
When is the best time to visit Castle Rock?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)