Banning State Park in Sandstone, Minnesota, has temporarily closed to visitors as the state undertakes a series of construction and improvement projects expected to take approximately one year. The work will focus on expanding parking capacity, renovating campground facilities, and improving accessibility, with different sections of the park scheduled to reopen at different times.
The largest project involves expanding the park’s main parking lot to approximately twice its current size. The existing lot was designed in the late 1960s or early 1970s and accommodates roughly 60 vehicles. Increasing visitor traffic in recent years has contributed to parking shortages, forcing some visitors to park along a narrow dirt road and walk alongside vehicle traffic to access the park.
“Since we only have the one parking lot, it was designed in like the late 60s, early 70s, so very small. It only holds roughly 60 cars, and it fills, so then people are parking on a narrow dirt road, and then they’re walking on a narrow dirt road with tons of traffic,” said Clarissa Payne, Banning State Park Manager.
In addition to the parking expansion, construction plans include remodeling the park’s shower building and campground facilities, according to Fox21. The project will also introduce Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant campsites, providing additional accessible accommodation options for visitors with mobility-related needs.
The improvements come as the park experiences sustained growth in visitation. According to Payne, increased public awareness has contributed to higher visitor numbers, creating a need for infrastructure that can better accommodate demand while addressing existing safety and capacity limitations.
“The park was a hidden gem, and now it’s more like a gem that everyone knows about. We’re getting a ton of traffic in, and it hasn’t slowed down. So just being able to accommodate the need for people to get out and enjoy the parks,” said Payne.
The reopening will take place in phases. The rest of the park is expected to reopen in fall 2027, while the campground is scheduled to resume operations in spring 2028. This means campground visitors will need to wait several additional months after the broader park reopening before reservations and overnight stays can resume.
Although general access to the park is suspended during construction, the Eldon climbing area and snowmobile trails on the park’s north and west sides will remain open.
For campground and outdoor hospitality operators, the project highlights several considerations associated with managing destinations experiencing increased visitation. Parking capacity, pedestrian safety, accessible facilities, and supporting amenities can become operational priorities as visitor numbers grow. In particular, the addition of ADA campsites reflects the importance of incorporating accessibility into campground improvement and expansion plans.
The phased reopening also illustrates how extended infrastructure projects can affect different visitor segments on different timelines. For operators planning around seasonal demand, communicating temporary closures, identifying alternative recreational opportunities, and providing clear reopening schedules can help manage visitor expectations and maintain interest while facilities undergo renovations.