Banning State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- No dogs
- Camping
- 44 campsitesAlso cabins, glamping or camper cabins
- Official site
- dnr.state.mn.us(320) 216-3910
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Alert Special Youth Deer HuntOctober 31st & November 1st Banning will conduct their special hunt to manage deer population and resource protection. Most of the park will remain… (more)
October 31st & November 1st Banning will conduct their special hunt to manage deer population and resource protection. Most of the park will remain open to non-hunters during this time. The hunt area is on the East side of the Kettle River that includes canoe sites and a portage trail. Hiking trails from the main park entrance are in nonhunting areas, blaze orange or pink clothing is suggested in any park with a hunt.
Posted by the park 2026-10-23. Official alert
Partial closure Construction ClosureMost of Banning State Park will close to the public for an extensive construction project starting Nov. 9, 2026, with plans to reopen in October… (more)
Most of Banning State Park will close to the public for an extensive construction project starting Nov. 9, 2026, with plans to reopen in October 2027. All park amenities will be closed except the following: • Eldon climbing area • State snowmobile trails through the 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) Find more information and updates about the project here.
Posted by the park 2026-10-23. Official alert
Overview
In Pine County, about 4 miles north of Sandstone, Banning State Park covers about 5,248 acres.
Things to do include historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, ranger programs, and fishing. Its trail network totals roughly 17 miles, according to the park. Camping is available: 44 campsites across 4 camping areas, including RV sites with electric hookups and group camping. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins and camper cabins or similar shelters.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Office | Thu–Sun | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
| Campground | Campground is closed now through the 2027 camping season. | ||
| Park | Showers: Reopen for the 2028 camping season Electric sites: 11 electric sites with 20 and 30 amp service are available. Drinking water: Drinking water is available year-round outside the ranger station near the firewood. RVs: Campsite pads are long, but the turning radius to get into them is tight. Programs: Occasional naturalist programs are offered in the summer. Water: Water is available year-round outside the ranger station near the firewood. Bathrooms: Vault toilets are available year-round in the picnic area Dump station: Closed through the 2027 camping season Trails: Skunk Cabbage Trail from the boat landing along the river is closed due to unsafe bridges that need replacing. Summer trails: There are 17 miles of hiking trails, with .1 mile wheelchair accessible. There are also nearly two miles of self-guided trails. Winter trails: There are 13 miles of ungroomed ski trail and 4 miles of snowmobile trails (snowmobile parking is available at designated site at the Banning Junction restaurant). Winter hiking and snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park. We ask that if someone has made a ski track you walk to the side of it so other skiers can enjoy the park as well. Campgrounds: Campground is closed now through the 2027 camping season. | ||
Official wording
Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
November - 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.
Campground is closed now through the 2027 camping season.
Showers: Reopen for the 2028 camping season Electric sites: 11 electric sites with 20 and 30 amp service are available. Drinking water: Drinking water is available year-round outside the ranger station near the firewood. RVs: Campsite pads are long, but the turning radius to get into them is tight. Programs: Occasional naturalist programs are offered in the summer. Water: Water is available year-round outside the ranger station near the firewood. Bathrooms: Vault toilets are available year-round in the picnic area Dump station: Closed through the 2027 camping season Trails: Skunk Cabbage Trail from the boat landing along the river is closed due to unsafe bridges that need replacing. Summer trails: There are 17 miles of hiking trails, with .1 mile wheelchair accessible. There are also nearly two miles of self-guided trails. Winter trails: There are 13 miles of ungroomed ski trail and 4 miles of snowmobile trails (snowmobile parking is available at designated site at the Banning Junction restaurant). Winter hiking and snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park. We ask that if someone has made a ski track you walk to the side of it so other skiers can enjoy the park as well. Campgrounds: Campground is closed now through the 2027 camping season.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Fees and passes
Per vehicle: a state park vehicle permit (one-day $7 or year-round $35) is required for every vehicle; same price for residents and nonresidents. Four free park days per year. Iron Range OHV SRA states 'There is no entrance fee'.
Statewide fee rule from Minnesota's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Minnesota park passes
- Year-round vehicle permit — $35. Unlimited visits to every Minnesota state park and recreation area for 12 months from the month of purchase Details
- One-day vehicle permit — $7. One day, one vehicle Details
- Additional year-round vehicle permit — $26. Additional vehicles owned by a year-round permit holder Details
- Year-round motorcycle permit — $30. Motorcycle, 12 months Details
- One-day group permit — $5. Group vehicles, one day Details
From the Minnesota state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Reserve MN (US eDirect)
- Phone
- 866-857-2757
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
No dogs
Pets not allowed.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 33 | RVs up to 50 feet | — |
| Electric Sites 11 sites — Alert! The campground is currently closed for construction and will reopen in May 2028. | 11 | ElectricRVs up to 50 feet | — |
| 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 . | — | — |
Camping details from the park
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 .
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Camper CabinsOne 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.
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.
Things to do
Canoeing and kayakingHistoric sites and toursHikingRanger and interpretive programsPicnickingFishingBoatingCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowmobile (winter) | 6 mi | — | 6 miles — Connects to Willard Munger State Trail.Snowmobile |
| Snowshoe (winter) | — | — | Anywhere in park — Snowshoeing is allowed on any trails in the state park, except for on groomed snowmobile trails.Snowshoe |
| Other (winter) | — | — | Cross-Country Skiing — Cross-country skiing is allowed on any of the state park's trails, except for on groomed snowmobile trails.Other |
| Accessible (summer) | 0.1 mi | — | 0.1 milesAccessibleAccessible |
| Self-Guided (summer) | — | — | One and eight-tenths miles — Trail begins at picnic area parking lot.Self-Guided |
| Hiking (summer) | 17 mi | — | 17 milesHiking |
| Paved Bike (summer) | 1 mi | — | 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.Paved Bike |
Trail descriptions from the park
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.
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.
Trail conditions: Skunk Cabbage Trail from the boat landing along the river is closed due to unsafe bridges that need replacing.
Summer trails: There are 17 miles of hiking trails, with .1 mile wheelchair accessible. There are also nearly two miles of self-guided trails.
Winter trails: There are 13 miles of ungroomed ski trail and 4 miles of snowmobile trails (snowmobile parking is available at designated site at the Banning Junction restaurant). Winter hiking and snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park. We ask that if someone has made a ski track you walk to the side of it so other skiers can enjoy the park as well.
Boating and paddling
Boat Access — Drive-in
Canoe Access
Fishing
Fishing
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Vault or pit toilets
- Picnic areas
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
- Group facilities
Camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
- Glamping or camper cabins
Accessibility
- Accessible cabins or lodging
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Accessible cabins or lodging
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.
Picnic Area — Several: Some picnic areas have good river views and are accessible.
Accessible — 0.1 miles
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- P.O. Box 643
Sandstone, MN 55072 - Nearest town
- Sandstone — about 4 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 46.1796, -92.8488
- Phone
- (320) 216-3910
- banning.statepark@state.mn.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
The park is located is off I-35, Exit #195. Follow signs to the park.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Minnesota State Parks and Trails — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 23, 2026
- MN DNR A-Z list of state parks and recreation areas (park IDs in server-rendered <noscript> links) + state waysides page; details from the compass feature_detail JSON API used by park.html
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology