Minnesota's Banning State Park, where visits have tripled since 2020, closes most trails from Nov. 9 for nearly a year of upgrades
MPR has what closes when, what stays open and the reopening dates.
Banning State Park, more than 6,000 acres along the Kettle River near Sandstone, Minnesota, is closing most of its grounds for upgrades because annual visits have tripled since 2020, MPR News reports. "Our current park infrastructure is really straining to support those numbers," park supervisor Clarissa Payne said in a release.
The campground closed in September; all parking areas and hiking trails close Nov. 9. Plans include more parking, new restrooms and campground showers, and accessibility upgrades for picnic areas, parking lots, trails and campsites. Day-use areas are set to reopen in October 2027, possibly in part next summer if construction allows, and the campground stays shut until May 2028. Created in 1963, the park includes the ruins of a sandstone quarry and a former town site.
Instead of the closed trails, the snowmobile trail along the park's north and west sides and the Eldon climbing area at the south end stay open.
-
Banning State Park
After exploring Under stress from more visitors, Minnesota state park to temporarily close for improvements, for what makes the park special, see Banning State Park.
Wikipedia on the park along 10 miles of the Kettle River, whose 1.5 miles of rapids, up to Class IV, draw kayakers and canoeists each spring.
Wikipedia · Wade · 5 min
0