Banning State Park is a Minnesota state park near Sandstone, covering 6,255 acres. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. It offers camping or lodging. Entry needs a state park vehicle permit, $7 for a day, as the DNR fees page said on October 19, 2026.
- 6,255acres
- Sandstonemailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Kettle River
- Canoeing
- Historic sandstone quarry
- Wolf Creek Falls
- Hiking
- Kayaking
Plan It In Three Lines
- Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Cost: a $7 one-day vehicle permit or a $35 year-round permit, per the DNR fees page of October 19, 2026; confirm before you go.
- Pets: leashed (six feet or shorter) outside buildings, lodging and beaches, per the DNR rules page; park-specific limits are listed below.
About The Park
The DNR describes it: 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.
Wildlife. Banning State Park attracts birdwatchers who have sited 184 species of birds. In addition, 17 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 34 species of mammals live in the park.
History. Banning State Park bears the name of the sandstone quarry and town site located within its boundaries. Both the quarry and the town were named in honor of William L. Banning, former president of the St. Paul and Duluth railroad.
Geology. The Kettle River extends the entire length of the park, exposing bedrock for much of the distance. One of the most dominant characteristics of the park is sandstone and the potholes formed by the Kettle River.
Visit Facts
- AddressP.O. Box 643 Sandstone, MN 55072
- Phone320-216-3910
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursNovember – April office hours are intermittent as staff are available. Call ahead if you are wanting to visit the office. Thursday – Sunday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Emailbanning.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point46.17964, -92.84876 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Banning State Park
- Entry noteFree climbing permit from park office for rock climbing
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Accessible | 0.1 miles | — |
| Summer | Self-Guided | One and eight-tenths miles | Trail begins at picnic area parking lot. |
| Summer | Hiking | 17 miles | — |
| Summer | Paved Bike | One mile | The Willard Munger State Trail is a five mile drive from the park, or a six mile ride using the bike lane on busy Highway 61. |
| Winter | Snowmobile | 6 miles | Connects to Willard Munger State Trail. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Anywhere in park | Snowshoeing is allowed on any trails in the state park, except for on groomed snowmobile trails. |
| Winter | Other | Cross-Country Skiing | Cross-country skiing is allowed on any of the state park's trails, except for on groomed snowmobile trails. |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | 33 sites | Alert! The campground is currently closed for construction and will reopen in May 2028. Wooded, all in one campground. This campground has long sites, but the turning radius to back into them is narrow. |
| Electric Sites | 11 sites | Alert! The campground is currently closed for construction and will reopen in May 2028. |
| RV Length Limit | 50 feet | Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. |
| Canoe-in Sites | Five sites along the Kettle River | Alert! The watercraft campsites will be closed from fall 2026 through fall 2027 due to major construction in the park. |
| Group Camp | Willow River Group Camp | Located in General Andrews State Forest, this tent-only group camp has rustic sites with vault toilets and water available. Accommodates up to 50 people. Reservations can be made here . |
| Accessible Lodging | 1 accessible camper cabin | Alert! The camper cabin is currently closed for construction in the campground and will reopen in May 2028. |
| Camper Cabins | One accessible cabin, seasonal | Alert! The camper cabin is currently closed for a construction project in the campground and will reopen in May 2028.Sleeps five. Available April through mid-November and does NOT have electricity or heat. Pets not allowed. More information on camper cabins. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Source | River | — |
| Fishing | — | — |
| Boat Access | Drive-in | — |
| Canoe Access | — | — |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | Several | Some picnic areas have good river views and are accessible. |
| Other | Rock climbing | Sheer sandstone cliffs rise 40 feet above the Kettle River for rock climbing and bouldering. Get your free climbing permit from the park office. Climbing map |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | — | — |
| Interpretive Exhibit | — | Interpretive kiosks in office and at boat landing. |
| Naturalist Programs | Occasional summer programs | — |
| Historic Site | Banning Quarry | Located within the park along the Kettle River. |
| Gift Shop | Nature Store in the park office | — |
| Rentals | — | Fishing kits (rod, reel, stocked tackle box), birding kits, GPS units, and kids' discovery kits (activities and stories designed for age 5-12) are available to check out for free at the ranger station. |
| Firewood | — | Purchase at park office or in town |
Pets And Permits
Statewide, the DNR rules page says pets are welcome in state parks on a leash six feet or shorter, attended at all times; only service animals are allowed in buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas. A vehicle permit costs $7 a day or $35 a year (DNR fees page, read October 19, 2026). See the parks passport page for the full price list.
Park-specific: Pets not allowed.
Directions
The park is located is off I-35, Exit #195. Follow signs to the park.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- St. Croix State ParkState Park, about 16 miles away in a straight line
- Moose Lake State ParkState Park, about 19 miles away in a straight line
- Father Hennepin State ParkState Park, about 30 miles away in a straight line
- Jay Cooke State ParkState Park, about 40 miles away in a straight line
- Mille Lacs Kathio State ParkState Park, about 42 miles away in a straight line
- Savanna Portage State ParkState Park, about 44 miles away in a straight line
What We Could Not Verify
- Current alerts, closures, trail and campground conditions: they change daily. Read the DNR park page before you go.
- County: the DNR page does not state it, so we do not print one.
- Fees for lodging and group sites, and day-by-day availability: set by the DNR reservation system.
- Permit prices were read on October 19, 2026 and the DNR page shows no effective date.
- The map point is the park’s printed coordinate, not a verified entrance.
More In St. Croix Valley & East Central
- Interstate State Park
- St. Croix State Park
- Wild River State Park
- Events in St. Croix Valley & East Central
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Banning State Park?
It is near Sandstone, Minnesota. The DNR address is P.O. Box 643 Sandstone, MN 55072.
How much does it cost to visit Banning State Park?
A one-day vehicle permit is $7 and a year-round permit is $35 on the DNR fees page we read on October 19, 2026. Check the fees page before you go.
Are dogs allowed at Banning State Park?
Pets are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter outside buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas, per the DNR rules page. This park’s page adds limits listed in Pets And Permits above.
Sources
- Banning State Park (DNR Recreation Compass data) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park fees (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park rules (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota State Parks Passport, all places, park fees and rules.