Park closure
In November 2026, major construction is underway at Banning State Park to better serve its growing number of visitors and increase the park's accessibility.
To protect visitor safety during this extensive construction, most of Banning State Park will closed to the public starting Nov. 9, 2026 through October 2027.
What's happening at the park?
The park's visitation has tripled since 2020, and current park infrastructure is outdated and unable to support these numbers. The project includes significant improvements in the park's day-use area and campground:
Day-use area
Doubling the current parking lot's capacity and creating an additional parking lot at one of the trail crossings
Accessible picnic areas
New accessible vault toilets
Accessible water spigots
Improvements throughout the day-use area for visitors with disabilities, including better trail access and parking
Campground
A brand-new shower building, including modern restrooms, accessible single-occupancy showers, family-assist restrooms, an adult changing station, and dishwashing stations
Upgrades to several campsites to meet accessibility requirements
What's closed?
Most of the park will be closed, including the following amenities:
Campground
All parking areas
All trails within the park
Picnic area
Ranger station
Teacher's Overlook climbing area
Camper cabin and watercraft campsites
Public water access within the park
RV dump station
What's open?
The following areas of the park are open during construction:
Eldon climbing area - parking is available at Robinson Quarry Park
State snowmobile trails that pass through the state park
Public water accesses at Hwy. 23 and Robinson Quarry Park
Willow River state forest campground, located in General C.C. Andrews State Forest (open seasonally May 1-Oct. 31)
Estimated construction schedule
Park closes to the public: Nov. 9, 2026
Park and new day-use area improvements reopen to the public: October 2027
Campground reopens to the public: May 2028