Sandstone is a small town in Pine County, Minnesota. It is located along the Kettle River. According to the 2010 Census, the population was 2,849 people. There are a few places to visit while you’re in town. Read on to find out more.

Banning State Park

Banning State Park is a 10 mile stretch of the Kettle River near Sandstone, Minnesota, located in Pine County. The park is home to 1.5 miles of churning rapids, some Class IV. The park is a favorite among kayakers, as it offers great float trips and scenic hikes.

The park is known for two waterfalls: Wolf Creek Falls and Big Springs Falls. Wolf Creek Falls is a 12-foot waterfall that can be reached by hiking four miles of the Wolf Creek Trail. Another waterfall is Big Springs Falls, which is close by and only a half-mile one way.

Banning State Park is full of extremes, including the Kettle River and Wolf Creek. The park is also home to a variety of interesting rocks. While Mother Nature carved much of the sandstone in the park, human beings have left their mark, too. Some of the sandstone walls still have drilling holes in them.

Banning State Park is a great place to take your kayak. The Banning River flows through the park, and its two miles of rapids call for adventure. Experienced kayakers practice on the challenging Kettle River before tackling the Banning Rapids. Inflatable rafts are also a great option for tackling the rapids.

The park has 34 single family campsites with electric hookups, five canoe campsites, and one group campsite. The campground features a ranger station and picnic tables. There are also hiking trails and snowshoeing trails. Camping in Banning State Park is a fun family vacation destination.

Ice climbing

Ice climbing is a fun and challenging winter sport, and the city of Sandstone, Minnesota is a great place to try it. Robinson Park in the town has rock walls left over from a mining operation. While some ice in the park forms naturally, most is artificial. The city of Sandstone ran a water line into the park in order to create an ice farming system, and volunteers then installed a series of pipes, misting devices, and low-flow showerheads to create the ice. The ice is stable enough to be climbingable, and climbers are protected with harnesses and ropes.

Climbers from all over the world have enjoyed the park’s winter wonderland. Ice climbers can climb routes up to 80 feet high and enjoy easy access. The park is only an hour’s drive from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, and already hosts climbers from around the world.

Hiking trails

There are several hiking trails in Sandstone, Minnesota. The town is also home to the Kettle River, which is popular with rafters, kayakers, and canoeists. The local paddler’s club hosts the annual Kettle River Paddle Festival each May. While you’re on the trails, you can also check out rock climbing and swimming holes.

You can also hike around Banning State Park, which offers several miles of trails. The park is located an hour and a half north of Minneapolis. To enter the park, you’ll need a day or annual MN State Park Pass. This is a great way to experience the area’s hiking trails.

The Kettle Riverbank trail passes by “kettles,” which were eroded into the sandstone by the river over thousands of years. The trail becomes more challenging as it nears Hell’s Gate rapids. You’ll follow the Kettle River above the rapids. Below Hell’s Gate, it’s a tranquil walk. Banning Rapids, meanwhile, feature sudden, jarring pitches.

Hiking trails in Sandstone, Minnesota include two-mile-long trails. The Quarry Loop Trail follows the Kettle River, with views of the old sandstone quarry. This trail also features a 20-foot waterfall. The other two-mile-long trails include Skunk Cabbage Trail, Trillium Trail, and High Bluff Trail.

The state park system has plenty of natural attractions to offer. Whether you’re looking for an inland lake, an old-growth forest, or remnant prairie systems, Minnesota hiking trails offer a unique experience. Many of these trails connect to various attractions, such as the Boundary Waters up north, and the Twin Cities.

One of the best hiking trails in Sandstone, Minnesota spans the North Shore of Lake Superior. Along the way, you’ll pass beautiful lakes, pebble beaches, and forested ravines. This rugged landscape is home to some of the best state parks in the state.

Fall colors

Fall is a beautiful time of year to visit Sandstone, Minnesota, as the trees begin to change color. The maples are in full force, but other tree species are also taking center stage. For those looking to enjoy the fall colors, the Quarry Loop Trail is a good choice. It is a self-guided 1.7-mile hike that includes a view of Kettle River Rapids and two waterfalls. Another hiking option is the Willard Munger State Trail, which is located 5 miles away. You can also visit Itasca State Park, which is home to beautiful maples and tamaracks.

The fall colors are also accompanied by an array of wildflowers and prairie grasses. Some of the most popular fall flowers in the area include goldenrod, blue vervain, and red dogwood. The berries of mountain ash trees also appear during the fall months. The area is home to several beautiful wildflowers, including bluestem and blazing star.

Fall color is already progressing through the park, and is expected to peak this weekend and into the next two weeks. The maples and ash trees are displaying vibrant patches of orange and red. The native prairie grasses are also nearing their peak color, displaying shades of purple and maroon. The landscape is further complemented by colorful flowers such as purple asters and yellow goldenrod.

The golden hike trails make it an ideal place to view the beautiful colors of the season. You can hike through the prairie grasses that have started to change, while the sumac and maple are still green and mostly green. The Hiking Club Trail is a beautiful spot to see sumac in all its glory, and the scenic Mount Tom Trail will offer you a stunning view of the lake and surrounding area. You can also enjoy the Olde-Tyme Fall Festival, which is held on Sept. 29.

Winter activities

There is a wide variety of winter activities in Sandstone, Minnesota. This town is home to ice skating rinks, ski slopes, and cross-country ski trails. Visitors can rent equipment from local rental shops to make the most of their stay. In the winter months, the temperature often drops below zero. The weather report for Sandstone, Minnesota includes the average daily high and low temperatures. For more information, visit the town’s website.

In early January, Sandstone hosts its Sandstone Ice Festival. This event attracts winter sports enthusiasts from across the Midwest and Canada. The event features instructional clinics and gear rentals, and a quarry full of natural and manmade ice routes. In addition, it is a family-friendly event with activities for the whole family.

Located in Pine County, Sandstone is accessible by Interstates 35, 23, and 18. The city was incorporated in 1857 as the Village of Fortuna on land near the Kettle River. At the time, there were over 200 residents. The town was reincorporated in 1920. Today, the population is around 5,000 people.

Sandstone’s famed “Ice Park” is one of the most popular activities for residents during winter. The park is open year-round to climbers and there is no charge to participate. Local outfitters rent climbing gear and provide guides. There are also two boat ramps available for those looking to get their feet wet.

The Kettle River is one of the premier rivers in Minnesota for rafting, kayaking, and canoeing enthusiasts. The city also hosts an annual whitewater paddlers festival called the Kettle River Paddle Festival. Other activities in the area include rock climbing, paddling, and swimming holes.