Banning State Park RV & Campground Guide
Minnesota
The Banning State Park is nestled along the Kettle River and is located less than 60 miles from Duluth, Minnesota, which sits on Lake Superior. The park stretches along 10 miles of the Kettle River and features 1.5 miles of rapids, including sections of Class IV rapids. The park boasts miles of trails that take you through dramatic sandstone rock formations and near waterfalls to provide outdoor recreation year round. For those wishing to escape the city, the park is about an hour and a half drive from Minneapolis.
Spring 37-64 F
Summer 53-75 F
Fall 23-40 F
Winter 8-27 F
Sandstone, MN
Willow River, MN
RV Resorts & Campsites in Banning State Park
With the great expanses of natural wonders that abound in the U.S., an RV is a great way to get out and see it all. You don't have to buy an expensive RV to get the benefits of freedom on the road either. Instead, you can rent an RV from RVshare.
Banning RV Park and Campground
Banning RV Park and Campground is about as close to the entrance to Banning State Park as you can get. The campground features a store, community pavilion, showers, and bike rentals. Sites with water and electric hook-ups start at $30/night on a weekday and include use of the dump station. Full hook-up sites start at $45/night on weekdays, and premium pull-through sites with full hookups start at $55/night weekdays. The campground hosts festivities and celebrations for all ages periodically, so be sure to check their calendar of events.
Countryside Campground
If you're looking for a family campground with tons of amenities, check out Countryside Campground. Their spacious sites have full hook-ups with 50/30/20 power, and there's even a 24- by 44-foot heated indoor pool with two shallow ends. On the campgrounds, you'll find a dog park, the Countryside Kitchen and Bar and a liquor store. You can enjoy scheduled activities and tournaments periodically throughout the year. Full hook-up sites start at $48/night. The first pet is free, and the campground charges $3 for additional pets. Other amenities at the park include:
• Hot tub and kiddie pool
• Game room and activity center
• Laundry, showers and bathrooms
• Volleyball, basketball and badminton courts
• Horseshoes and beanbag toss
• Radio-controlled car track
Grand Casino Hinckley's RV Resort
Grand Casino Hinckley’s RV Resort has received 5-star ratings for both facilities and recreation. This RV resort offers 24-hour security and welcomes all ages. Full hook-up sites with 50/30/20 power and a fire pit with a picnic table start at $39/night. Amenities at the resort include:
• Seasonal heated outdoor pool
• Wheelchair-accessible showers
• Basketball and volleyball courts
• Horseshoe pit
• Cable TV
• Two children's play areas
• Pet walking area
What to Do at
Banning State Park
Inside Banning State Park
Banning State Park offers outdoor recreation year-round with 17 miles of hiking trails that include a wheelchair-accessible trail and a 1.8-mile self-guided trail, as well as a paved bike trail. In the winter months, you can take advantage of 13 miles of ungroomed cross-country skiing, 6 miles of snowmobile trails that hook up to Willard Munger Trail or go snowshoeing anywhere in the park. In spring, you can watch canoeists and kayakers navigate the rapids at Blueberry Slide, Mother's Delight, Dragon's Tooth and Hell's Gate. Larger animals in the park include white-tailed deer, black bear, coyote, fox, raccoon, and beaver. For birdwatchers, the park is known to host 184 species of birds, and you can also try to spot the 17 species of reptiles and amphibians.
Outside Banning State Park
With so much to do in surrounding Pine County, you can easily set aside a day or two outside of your camping experience to indulge in the fine dining, shopping, and exploring that this region provides.
Restaurants
Amy's Country Café
This small family café serves breakfast all day, as well as lunch and dinner, and it even has vegetarian options. They're known for large breakfast portions along with their homemade soups, sandwiches, and burgers. They also have dinner entrees like meatloaf.
Type: American
Location: 420 Main St, Sandstone, MN
The Wins Steakhouse
The Winds Steakhouse is located at Grand Casino Hinckley. They offer steak, seafood, and an accompanying wine list.
Type: American
Location: 777 Lady Luck Dr, Hinckley, MN
Quarry Pizza & Deli
Quarry Pizza & Deli is a great place to relax after a long day exploring nature. When it comes to pizza, you can get everything from plain cheese to one of their specialties like Garlic Shrimp Alfredo or Philly Cheese Steak pizza. The menu also offers a variety of pasta dishes, wings, burgers, and oven-toasted ciabatta sandwiches.
Type: Pizza
Location: 410 Main St, Sandstone, MN
Tobies Restaurant and Bakery
Since 1947, Tobies Restaurant and Bakery has been providing food made with care. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a kids' menu and vegetarian options, Tobies Restaurant and Bakery also features an ice cream parlor.
Type: American
Location: 404 Fire Monument Rd, Hinckley, MN
Shopping
Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery
Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery is a great place to get Yellow Belly Small Batch Hard Cider. You'll also find farm-fresh produce, Minnesota wildflower honey, organic Minnesota maple syrup, and Minnesota wild rice.
Location: 2752 215th Ave, Mora, MN
Ann River Winery
Ann River Winery has several varieties of red, white, and blush wines. Try them in the tasting room, and then get a few bottles to enjoy wherever your road trip takes you.
Location: 1999 180th Ave, Mora, MN 55051
Sightseeing
Robinson Quarry Ice Park
Despite the name, Robinson Quarry Ice Park offers year-round hiking, climbing, camping, and white-water rafting. Climbing routes range from 60 to 90 feet and include sports routes, traditional routes, and bouldering. Popular winter activities include ice climbing and combined ice and rock climbing.
Location: Old Wagon Road, Sandstone, MN
Grand Casino Hinckley
The Grand Casino Hinckley has all the gaming opportunities you'd expect from a casino, such as slots, blackjack, bingo, and poker. It also hosts concerts and events like car shows and corn hole tournaments. On-site, you'll also find a spa, golf course, and arcade.
Location: 777 Lady Luck Dr, Hinckley, MN 55037
St. Croix State Park
St. Croix State Park has 127 miles of trails, including a 1.5-mile wheelchair-accessible self-guided trail, 5.5 miles of paved bike trails, 21 miles of mountain biking trails, and 21 miles of horse trails. In the winter, you can take advantage of 11 miles of cross-country skiing trails, 80 miles of snowmobile trails that hook up to other trail systems, and snowshoeing throughout the park. A warming center is located 3 miles from the ski trail head.
Location: 30065 St Croix Park Road Hinckley, MN
Snake River Fur Post
Snake River Fur Post is a reconstructed fur trading post from 1804. The grounds of this historic site include an Ojibwe encampment and a visitor center showcasing a 24-foot birch canoe and a gift shop.
Location: 12551 Voyageur Ln, Pine City, MN 55063
How to Get to
Banning State Park
The entrance to Banning State Park is just off Interstate-35 at Exit 195, State Highway 23.
Entering Banning State Park
The park is open daily from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm.
Day use per vehicle : $7
With so much to do at Banning State Park and the surrounding area, it's best to take advantage of the convenience of an RV. RVshare offers a variety of RV rentals ranging from pop-up tent trailers to full Class A motorhomes. While you're out there, be sure to take lots of pics and tag RVshare in your social media posts. You can also email your photos and memories to [email protected]