Jug Rock, Rock formation in Shoals, Indiana, US.
Jug Rock is a sandstone formation with a flat top layer resembling a stopper, standing approximately 42 feet (13 meters) high above the surrounding landscape. Natural erosion has created distinct layers and patterns throughout the stone, making its geological makeup visible.
State Geologist E. T. Cox documented this formation in 1871 through the Second Report of the Geological Survey of Indiana, recognizing its geological importance. His work helped establish the site as a significant feature in the region's geology.
The local high school sports teams are called the Jug Rox, with a mascot named Roxer Boxer inspired by this rock. The formation has become part of the community's identity and is referenced in local traditions.
Access is via Highway 50 west of Shoals, where a small gravel road leads to the formation. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for uneven ground when exploring the site on foot.
This sandstone structure is the largest free-standing table rock formation east of the Mississippi River in the United States. This exceptional scale and the rarity of such rock formations in this region make it a remarkable geological feature.
Location: Indiana
GPS coordinates: 38.68330,-86.80000
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40
Rock pillars and spires shaped by erosion stand as natural monuments across various locations worldwide. These geological structures, known as hoodoos, display different colors and shapes based on their mineral composition and environmental conditions. From the red rocks of Utah to the limestone formations of Turkey, these sites present geological formations created over millions of years through wind and water erosion. These formations develop through differential erosion, where softer rock layers erode faster than harder layers, leaving slender columns often capped with protective harder rock. Visitors find such structures in desert landscapes, canyons, and plateaus where conditions favor their formation and preservation. The color palette ranges from white to orange, red, and gray, depending on the minerals present such as iron oxide, limestone, or clay.
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