If you love hiking but don’t love all-day treks, then this short and sweet loop trail in Minnesota will be your new favorite way to stretch your legs. The Banning Quarry Loop Trail is perfect for hikers who want to get outdoors without breaking too much of a sweat. Here’s what you need to know about one of the best hikes in Minnesota.
The Banning Quarry Loop Trail is an easy but fun hike that will take you along a beautiful river and past stunning rock formations.
AllTrails/Julia Nau
Located near Sandstone, Minnesota in Banning State Park, the trail measures just about two miles and should take most hikers about an hour and a half to complete.
AllTrails/Ellen Spartz
This trail combines gorgeous scenery with easy terrain. There are plenty of boulders along the path, but you won’t need to do any scrambling.
AllTrails/Greg Withers
Along the way, you’ll pass pretty vegetation and follow the course of the river as it winds through the park.
AllTrails/Lizzie Rossow
Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture pictures of the ruins in the forest. They’re the remnants of industrial projects that once operated in the park.
AllTrails/Lizzie Rossow
This trail can be enjoyed in all seasons, though it’s probably easiest between April and November. Stop by in the winter for stunning snow-covered views.
AllTrails/April Mead
Though most of the trail is even, you’ll still want to wear sturdy shoes and pack a few snacks to enjoy along the way.
AllTrails/Lizzie Rossow
Have you ever tried hiking the Banning Quarry Loop Trail? Share your experiences with us in the comments!
AllTrails/Lizzie Rossow
Now that you’ve checked out what we believe to be one of the best hikes in Minnesota, let us know what your favorites are! For more of our favorite easy hikes in Minnesota, check out our list of the best quick trails in the state.
AllTrails/Julia Nau
AllTrails/Ellen Spartz
AllTrails/Greg Withers
AllTrails/Lizzie Rossow
AllTrails/April Mead
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Address: Quarry Rapids, Sandstone, MN 55072, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Minnesota July 25, 2022 Sara Dager What are the best family-friendly hikes in Minnesota? Hiking in Minnesota with the whole family can be such a blast, but it can also be exhausting! With extra things to haul, little legs that tire easily, and everyone at different levels of ability, finding the best hikes for the whole gang can be difficult. Luckily we have looked into the best family friendly hikes in Minnesota and there are a good chunk of trails that are just perfect for adventurers of every age. A great choice is Big Bog Boardwalk, at just about a mile this boardwalk hike welcomes absolutely everyone and the flora and fauna you can observe are so impressive. Another awesome option is the Cascade River lower loop, this hike is more like a jaunt at .5 miles, and there are waterfalls to spot! Can I hike to abandoned places in Minnesota? If you like to get some chills down your spine while hiking, Minnesota is the perfect spot for it. We have tons of abandoned places in Minnesota that you can hike out to. You can hike across a sandbar to find an abandoned lighthouse in Duluth. The ruins are over 160 years old! Or if you want to get some nice uphill climbing in, a great choice is checking out the abandoned DWP tunnel on Ely’s peak. An old railway tunnel now covered in some interesting graffiti. If hiking is not your style, then you may want to check out our abandoned places in Minnesota road trip! Which state parks should I visit in Minnesota? There are a grand total of 66 state parks in Minnesota, and they all have their pros, so it can be difficult making a decision when you are on the hunt for the perfect spot for some outdoor recreation. But we think the best choices are these underrated state parks in Michigan. Spots like Savannah Portage state park with it’s impressive overlook, and Lake Shetek state park with an island you can walk to, are not only beautiful, but their underappreciated nature means it’s likely your time there will be incredibly peaceful and quiet.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Minnesota
July 25, 2022
Sara Dager
What are the best family-friendly hikes in Minnesota? Hiking in Minnesota with the whole family can be such a blast, but it can also be exhausting! With extra things to haul, little legs that tire easily, and everyone at different levels of ability, finding the best hikes for the whole gang can be difficult. Luckily we have looked into the best family friendly hikes in Minnesota and there are a good chunk of trails that are just perfect for adventurers of every age. A great choice is Big Bog Boardwalk, at just about a mile this boardwalk hike welcomes absolutely everyone and the flora and fauna you can observe are so impressive. Another awesome option is the Cascade River lower loop, this hike is more like a jaunt at .5 miles, and there are waterfalls to spot! Can I hike to abandoned places in Minnesota? If you like to get some chills down your spine while hiking, Minnesota is the perfect spot for it. We have tons of abandoned places in Minnesota that you can hike out to. You can hike across a sandbar to find an abandoned lighthouse in Duluth. The ruins are over 160 years old! Or if you want to get some nice uphill climbing in, a great choice is checking out the abandoned DWP tunnel on Ely’s peak. An old railway tunnel now covered in some interesting graffiti. If hiking is not your style, then you may want to check out our abandoned places in Minnesota road trip! Which state parks should I visit in Minnesota? There are a grand total of 66 state parks in Minnesota, and they all have their pros, so it can be difficult making a decision when you are on the hunt for the perfect spot for some outdoor recreation. But we think the best choices are these underrated state parks in Michigan. Spots like Savannah Portage state park with it’s impressive overlook, and Lake Shetek state park with an island you can walk to, are not only beautiful, but their underappreciated nature means it’s likely your time there will be incredibly peaceful and quiet.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hiking in Minnesota with the whole family can be such a blast, but it can also be exhausting! With extra things to haul, little legs that tire easily, and everyone at different levels of ability, finding the best hikes for the whole gang can be difficult. Luckily we have looked into the best family friendly hikes in Minnesota and there are a good chunk of trails that are just perfect for adventurers of every age. A great choice is Big Bog Boardwalk, at just about a mile this boardwalk hike welcomes absolutely everyone and the flora and fauna you can observe are so impressive. Another awesome option is the Cascade River lower loop, this hike is more like a jaunt at .5 miles, and there are waterfalls to spot!
Can I hike to abandoned places in Minnesota?
If you like to get some chills down your spine while hiking, Minnesota is the perfect spot for it. We have tons of abandoned places in Minnesota that you can hike out to. You can hike across a sandbar to find an abandoned lighthouse in Duluth. The ruins are over 160 years old! Or if you want to get some nice uphill climbing in, a great choice is checking out the abandoned DWP tunnel on Ely’s peak. An old railway tunnel now covered in some interesting graffiti. If hiking is not your style, then you may want to check out our abandoned places in Minnesota road trip!
Which state parks should I visit in Minnesota?
There are a grand total of 66 state parks in Minnesota, and they all have their pros, so it can be difficult making a decision when you are on the hunt for the perfect spot for some outdoor recreation. But we think the best choices are these underrated state parks in Michigan. Spots like Savannah Portage state park with it’s impressive overlook, and Lake Shetek state park with an island you can walk to, are not only beautiful, but their underappreciated nature means it’s likely your time there will be incredibly peaceful and quiet.
