Is Banning Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Banning Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Banning Campground before I book?

Yes! Banning Campground has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Banning Campground?

Yes, Banning Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Banning Campground?

Fire policies at Banning Campground: Light fires only within fire rings and charcoal grills; do not leave fires unattended and extinguish before leaving. Use approved or local firewood to prevent spread of forest pests.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Banning Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Banning Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Banning Campground?

Banning Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Banning Campground?

Popular activities at Banning Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Banning Campground

4.47

137 reviews

Banning Campground

Top 23% in MNSummer

Scenic Views

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Showers

Book on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — State Parks Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Showers

Book on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — State Parks Official Website

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...

No paid fee categories listed.

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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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Plan a trip to Banning Campground

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Campground Map

Banning Campground

No map location available

Nearby supplies

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

Weather at Banning Campground

Best Time to Camp at Banning Campground

Summer delivers the warmest and most reliable weather, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F and cool nights in the 50s–60s°F. This is peak season for paddling the Kettle's riffles, fishing, and hiking the riverside trails past waterfalls and cliffs. Weekends and holiday weeks fill up, so reserve early. Fall brings vivid reds and oranges along the river corridor and is a standout season according to reviews, though crowds pick up during peak color. Early spring means swollen streams and strong waterfall flows but also muddy trail sections. Winter sees lighter use and some facility closures.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 23% in MN

Summer is peak: warm temps, best paddling on Kettle's riffles and active fishing/hiking season.

Planning Tips

About Banning Campground

Banning Campground sits along the Kettle River in Banning State Park, where water has carved a corridor through pink and buff Banning Sandstone cliffs. The wooded tent sites serve as a base for hiking to Wolf Creek Falls, rapids, and the ruins of an 1800s quarry. All sites require advance reservations, and reviews note that shower availability can be seasonal. Check ahead if hot water matters to you.

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

Historical Significance

The park preserves the Banning Sandstone Quarry and its rail grade from the late 1800s to early 1900s, when the nearby town of Sandstone grew around the quarrying industry. The Kettle River here was designated Minnesota's first Wild & Scenic river.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the warmest and most reliable weather, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F and cool nights in the 50s–60s°F. This is peak season for paddling the Kettle's riffles, fishing, and hiking the riverside trails past waterfalls and cliffs. Weekends and holiday weeks fill up, so reserve early. Fall brings vivid reds and oranges along the river corridor and is a standout season according to reviews, though crowds pick up during peak color. Early spring means swollen streams and strong waterfall flows but also muddy trail sections. Winter sees lighter use and some facility closures.

Natural Features and SceneryThe Kettle River tumbles through a valley of pink and buff sandstone bluffs, carving potholes and exposing layered rock that dates back hundreds of millions of years. Mixed aspen-birch and hardwood forest grows thick along the banks, opening at intervals to views of whitewater rapids with names like Blueberry Slide, Mother's Delight, and Hell's Gate. The Quarry Loop Trail passes moss-draped outcrops and the massive cut blocks left behind by 19th-century stonecutters, now slowly being swallowed by forest. Downstream, Big Spring Falls shows an aqua-tinted spring pool where a dam once stood. The trails are rocky and can be muddy after rain. Sturdy shoes help.

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

Scenic ViewsRiverside vistas and rapids (including Blueberry Slide, Mother’s Delight and Hell’s Gate), overlooks along the Quarry Loop, Wolf Creek Falls, and nearby Big Spring Falls provide prominent scenic highlights.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

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.

Best CampsitesSites in the main loop near river-access trails offer convenience for hiking to Wolf Creek Falls and the Quarry Loop, while more wooded back-loop sites tend to provide greater privacy. No specific site numbers stand out in review data.

Need help booking Banning Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Minnesota State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Sources indicate standard state-park campground amenities including potable water, a bathroom building with showers (subject to seasonal closures/maintenance), and site picnic tables.

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

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.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

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.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.5

137 reviews

Recommended

Banning Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% 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

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Paddlers, hikers, and anyone chasing fall color along a sandstone river gorge. The Quarry Loop and Wolf Creek Falls are both reachable on foot from camp, and summer nights in the 50s keep things comfortable without a hookup in sight.

Skip if

Shower access is genuinely unreliable here, multiple reviewers arrived to find the shower house closed or water shut off. If a hot shower at the end of a muddy trail day is non-negotiable, call ahead or brace for disappointment. No pets allowed either.

Campgrounds

Banning State Park

Banning Campground

About Black Canyon Reservoir

Context for the broader area surrounding Banning Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Black Canyon Reservoir is formed by Black Canyon Diversion Dam, a part of the Boise Project. Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, this 1,100-acre reservoir offers 12 miles of shoreline. Boating and fishing are the major recreational activities at the reservoir, which is located northeast of Emmett in southwest Idaho. This site offers restrooms, boat ramps, camping, parking, picnic tables, swimming, and accessible facilities for fishing. Please visit https://www.usbr.gov/pn/snakeriver/landuse/blackcanyon/calendar.html. We do NOT take reservations over the phone.

Directions

The reservoir is located on State Route 52 between Emmett and Horseshoe Bend.