The original rock weighs approximately 60 tons.
Ray Sorensen II paints the rock every single year, meaning the artwork is transient.
The project originated in 1999 as a way to thank veterans while simultaneously promoting Sorensen's art career.
The Freedom Rock Tour project eventually expanded to include a smaller version of the rock in every county in Iowa.
The site is located on private land but remains permanently accessible to the public.
The Freedom Rock is a massive, multi-ton granite boulder located in Menlo, Iowa, serving as a canvas for a rotating series of murals dedicated to honoring veterans. Artist Ray 'Bubba' Sorensen II began the project in 1999, painting the rock annually to commemorate Veterans Day and celebrate the service of U.S. military personnel. The original rock is situated near the intersection of IA-25 and I-80, acting as a standalone monument rather than a traditional museum exhibit. Because the paint is applied over the existing layer each year, the imagery changes entirely with every new iteration. This site serves as the anchor for the Freedom Rock Tour, a larger project that has inspired similar monuments in each of Iowa's 99 counties. Visitors can view the memorial at any time, as it is located in an open outdoor space.
Directly in front of the boulder from the paved viewing area.
Bring a camera, as the artwork is repainted annually and is unique to the current year.
Combine your visit with a drive through surrounding Guthrie County to see smaller replica rocks.
Check the official website before visiting if you are interested in the specific history of the current year's mural design.
Do not assume the mural you saw online last year will be the same one currently on the rock.
Respect the memorial nature of the site; avoid climbing on the rock.
