Banning State Park

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  from Explore MN Tourism

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Banning State Park

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Treat yourself to a visit to Banning State Park, just minutes off I-35 near Sandstone. In the spring, watch daring canoeists and kayakers shoot the turbulent rapids at Blueberry Slide, Mother's Delight, Dragon's Tooth and Hell's Gate. In the summer, hike along the Kettle River amid dramatic sandstone rock formations with lush lichens, liverworts and mosses. Visit Wolf Creek Falls, the Log Creek Arches and Robinson's Ice Cave. Stay at the new camper cabin (sleeps five people), which includes bunk beds, a table and benches. Take in the historic ruins of Banning Sandstone Quarry. The park is known for camping, picnicking, cross-country skiing, beautiful trails for hiking and the study of natural history.

Tell me more about this park's wildlife, history, geology and landscape.

Visitor Alert!

The 1/23 Snowshoe Animal Tracking program has been canceled due to lack of interest.

Park Notes

Gift Card:

Purchase a Minnesota State Parks Gift Card.

Firewood Restrictions Information:

Minnesota has enacted legislation that restricts firewood being brought to or used on DNR lands. Learn more and review vendor lists.

Park is Open Year-round:

The park is open for camping year-round!

State Forest Campground:

Banning State Park also manages the Willow River Campground on Zalesky Lake (I-35 Exit 205) within General Andrews State Forest. Camping is available April 28 to October 30. There are 38 drive-in and two hike-in campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis, each with vault toilets and a hand pump for drinking water. A tent-only group camp is also available for up to 50 people. Group camp is $50/night and can be reserved by calling Banning State Park at 320-245-2668. The other campsites are $12/night and do not take reservations.

Birders:

Bird Checklist This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. at Banning State Park.

Park Highlights

tree Kettle River

tree Canoeing and Kayaking

tree Historic Sandstone Quarry

tree Wolf Creek Falls

tree Hiking

tree Cross-country Skiing

Events

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Find more State Park events on the DNR Events Calendar!

There are currently no event listings.

Hours

Best time to contact the park:

Fall/Spring: Saturday - Monday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Tuesday - Thursday, Intermittent ; Friday 10 a.m - 4 p.m.

Winter: Friday - Monday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Tuesday - Thursday, Intermittent

Summer: Daily, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. If no one is available, please leave a message.

Contact

61101 Banning Park Road
Sandstone, MN 55072

tel: 320-245-2668

fax: 320-245-0251

email: banning.statepark@state.mn.us

Getting There

The park is located is off I-35, Exit #195. Follow signs to the park.