The Mushroom Rock
Mushroom Rock, also known as Needle Eye for the slot in its base, is a natural rock formation located in the middle of Highway 176 in Little River Canyon. As the story goes, during the construction of the original scenic drive, a determined crew refused to blast this unique formation. The two-lane road was eventually diverted and continued around it.
An iconic spectacle, Mushroom Rock is only one member of a group of surrounding rock outcrops, with some standing at 15 feet above the soil. It is comprised of sedimentary rock with the 'cap' being made of durable sandstone and the 'stem' made of softer layers of shale and limestone. Sadly, graffiti has been found on the rock on multiple accounts. With each sandblasting required to remove it, Mushroom Rock deteriorates a little each time. Thus, this unique pillar may be eventually destroyed not by nature, but by illegal graffiti. - Little River Canyon National Preserve, Alabama
