Banning Campground

4.53

137 reviews

Banning Campground

Scenic Views

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Showers

Opens Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — State Parks site

Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Showers

Opens Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — State Parks site

Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Banning Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Reservations are required for all campsites. A non‑refundable reservation fee is charged for each advance reservation ($10 via call center, $8...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

Park contacts: 888-646-6367; Park office: 651-296-6157; Reservations: 866-857-2757

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What Campers Say

4.53

Top-Rated

Based on 137 reviews

136 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewssites

Some mention

mosquitoes

"Visitor reviews are largely positive, praising scenery, trails and campsite privacy; common complaints center on shower/water availability, bathroom hours, and seasonal mosquito issues."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Banning Campground

No map location available

Near Interstate 35 and the town of Sandstone; accessible via local roads serving Sandstone area.

Nearby supplies

Sandstone (nearest town for groceries, fuel, and services)

Best Time to Camp at Banning Campground

From late spring through fall, Banning comes alive with visitors drawn to its trails and waterways. Summer brings ideal conditions for hiking the riverside paths and paddling the Kettle's rapids, while autumn transforms the river corridor into a tunnel of blazing reds, oranges, and golds. Early spring visitors should come prepared for swollen streams and muddy trails as snowmelt feeds the river, creating spectacular (if challenging) conditions. Winter offers a quieter, more contemplative experience, though some facilities close for the season and trail access may be limited.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer likely best for hiking, river views and paddling; reviewers praise scenery (season unspecified).

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Wooded gorge likely offers strong fall color, though not explicitly documented in provided text.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Spring runoff likely enhances rapids and waterfalls, boosting scenic appeal though not stated.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

No winter-use info; winter access and services are unclear for this Minnesota site.

Planning Tips

About Banning Campground

Nestled along the rushing Kettle River, Banning Campground immerses you in a landscape where water has carved its story into ancient sandstone for thousands of years. Your wooded campsite serves as home base for exploring riverside trails that wind past churning rapids, graceful waterfalls, and the haunting ruins of a 19th-century quarry. All campsites require advance reservations—check the park page or ParkFinder for specific amenities and to plan your visit around seasonal availability.

Described in secondary sources as a developed, drive‑in state park campground with individual campsites.

Historical SignificanceThe park preserves the Banning Sandstone Quarry and associated rail grade and quarry ruins from the late 1800s–early 1900s; the nearby town of Sandstone developed around that industry. The Kettle River in this area is designated Minnesota’s first Wild & Scenic river.

Weather and SeasonsFrom late spring through fall, Banning comes alive with visitors drawn to its trails and waterways. Summer brings ideal conditions for hiking the riverside paths and paddling the Kettle's rapids, while autumn transforms the river corridor into a tunnel of blazing reds, oranges, and golds. Early spring visitors should come prepared for swollen streams and muddy trails as snowmelt feeds the river, creating spectacular (if challenging) conditions. Winter offers a quieter, more contemplative experience, though some facilities close for the season and trail access may be limited.

Natural Features and SceneryThe Kettle River is the star of the show here, its waters tumbling through a corridor of pink and buff sandstone that tells an ancient geological story. As you hike the trails, you'll discover moss-draped rock outcrops, smooth river-carved potholes, and dramatic cliffs that tower above the current. The mixed hardwood and conifer forests create a canopy overhead, while riverside paths quickly lead you to the roar of whitewater rapids and misty waterfall overlooks. Don't miss the atmospheric quarry ruins, where nature is slowly reclaiming the massive sandstone blocks left behind by 1800s stonecutters.

Geological RegionKettle River valley with pink and buff sandstone cliffs (Banning Sandstone) and mixed aspen‑birch/hardwood forest communities.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsPhone reservation center (866‑857‑2757) and online Minnesota State Parks reservation portal (online reservations up to 120 days in advance; web reservation fee applies).

Cancellation PolicyA non‑refundable reservation fee is charged for each advance reservation; see the Reservations policy and FAQ for full cancellation and refund details.

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

The campground provides access to hiking, paddling/boating, fishing, bird‑watching and other river- and trail-based recreation focused on the Kettle River corridor and nearby waterfalls and quarry ruins.

HikingNumerous signed trails access features such as the Quarry Loop, Blueberry Slide, Wolf Creek Falls and other river overlooks; trails range from short loops to moderate hikes.

FishingFishing is listed as a park activity on secondary sources for the Kettle River.

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRushing water, slippery rocks and cliffs near the river and falls present fall/drowning risk; trail junctions near falls can be confusing. Seasonal insects (mosquitoes), ticks, and muddy or uneven trails are common—supervise children and pets closely near water.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Banning Campground

Reviews

4.5

137 reviews

Top-Rated

Banning Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitor reviews are largely positive, praising scenery, trails and campsite privacy; common complaints center on shower/water availability, bathroom hours, and seasonal mosquito issues.

Review Summaries

Based on 137 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic river views and rapids along the Kettle River, easy access to Quarry Loop and Wolf Creek Falls, variety of trails, well‑kept sites and picnic tables, with many reviewers calling the campground...

Based on 137 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring drinking water and strong insect repellent, wear sturdy shoes for rocky/muddy trails, visit earlier in the day or on weekdays during peak fall color to avoid crowds, and check on seasonal...

Based on 137 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The sites were nice ... they feel private due to woods between each site."; "They are currently updating their shower house."; "Water was shut off for the season, but the grounds were well kept.";...

Based on 137 reviews

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Last updated February 17, 2026

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