Treat yourself to a visit to Banning State Park, just minutes off I-35 near Sandstone. In the spring, watch daring canoeists and kayakers shoot the turbulent rapids at Blueberry Slide, Mother's Delight, Dragon's Tooth and Hell's Gate. In the summer, hike along the Kettle River amid dramatic sandstone rock formations with lush lichens, liverworts and mosses. Visit Wolf Creek Falls and take in the historic ruins of Banning Sandstone Quarry. The park is known for camping, picnicking, cross-country skiing, beautiful trails for hiking and the study of natural history.

Wildlife
Banning State Park attracts birdwatchers who have sited 184 species of birds. In addition, 17 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 34 species of mammals live in the park. Common species include white-tailed deer, black bear, coyote, fox, raccoon, beaver, red and gray squirrels, snowshoe hare, and ruffed grouse.

History
Banning State Park bears the name of the sandstone quarry and town site located within its boundaries. Both the quarry and the town were named in honor of William L. Banning, former president of the St. Paul and Duluth railroad. Banning State Park was one of several parks established through the passage of the Recreational Omnibus Bill of 1963.

Geology
The Kettle River extends the entire length of the park, exposing bedrock for much of the distance. One of the most dominant characteristics of the park is sandstone and the potholes formed by the Kettle River. The sandstone is from the Hinckley formation, known for shallow soil over bedrock and boulders which are exposed or lie just below the surface. In the northern area of the park, the river flows through a relatively shallow and narrow valley. Within a few miles, the river valley narrows to a gorge worn by the river through Precambrian sandstone to a depth of 100 feet. At Hell's Gate, the river flows through sheer cliffs which rise to 40 feet above the water. Below the rapids, the valley once again begins to widen. Beyond the valley walls, the topography is generally level to gently rolling glacial till plain.

Landscape
Banning State Park is located within the Mille Lacs Uplands subsection and includes aspen-birch, mixed hardwoods, pines, conifers, tamaracks, and wetland vegetation types. Today, the area includes hardwoods, wetlands, conifers, tamarack wetlands and aspen-birch forests, which reflect the original vegetation types.