BANNING STATE PARK FUN FACTS

Banning State Park was established in 1963 by the Minnesota state legislature, along with 5,246 acres.

In the spring is a good time to go explore the park. And watch the kayakers slide through dragons tooth, Mother’s Delight and Hells gate. In the summertime you can hike along the dramatic formations of sandstone rock with mosses, liverworts and lush lichens. Hike up to wolf creek falls, the log creek arches and Robinson Ice Cave.

In the late 1890s, the Banning Quarry employed 500 workers to chisel the rocks into massive blocks. The pink color and strength of the sandstone made it extremely popular for building construction. On September 1, 1894, the great Hinkley fire swept through causing heavy financial losses on the company and on the St. Paul and Duluth railroad.