Banning State Park in Minnesota follows about ten miles of the Kettle River near Sandstone and is known for a rugged gorge where the river cuts through sandstone into fast rapids, glacial potholes, and striking formations such as Hell’s Gate, the Log Creek Arches, Wolf Creek Falls, and Robinson Ice Cave. The area’s modern history began with sandstone quarrying after a railroad spur arrived in 1892 and the town of Banning grew beside the quarry, but fire, depleted stone, and changing building methods ended that industry and the town soon vanished. Preservation efforts led to creation of the state park in 1963, and today it is used year-round for whitewater paddling, hiking, fishing, skiing, and camping.