Here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we don’t let winter stop us from having a good time. While the snow and cold might be a reason to hunker down in other parts of the country, Minnesotans have learned to embrace it. There are many exciting activities and beautiful sights all across the state, including some that are even better under a blanket of snow. That certainly goes for Minnesota hikes. We love their lush, green beauty in the summer. But winter brings a whole new beauty, and it’s well worth seeing. One of the best winter hikes in Minnesota can be found at Banning State Park. Check it out:
Banning State Park is a 6,200-acre park in the east-central Minnesota town of Sandstone. It’s beautiful in every season of the year, but winter brings a new type of breathtaking beauty to the area.
kuwells/TripAdvisor
There are many trails throughout the park — 17 miles of them, to be exact. Each has its own unique sights, and we’d recommend exploring all of them if you have the time.
Tony Webster/Flickr
For example, the 1.8-mile Quarry Loop Trail takes visitors on a trip along the Kettle River. Not only will you have great views of the river. You’ll also find yourself up close to ruins of the old quarry buildings in the park.
Tony Webster/Flickr
The Wolf Creek Trail is another good choice. It’s a 4-mile loop through the forest, eventually leading hikers to a hidden waterfall. The entire trail is gorgeous, though, with plenty of icy water views.
michael odell/Google
But perhaps the most popular trail is the Big Spring Falls Trail. It’s super short at just .4 miles long, but it leads to a gorgeous view. You’ll find ice-covered bluffs over the river.
Lynda Maxson/Google
Some bluffs are easy to climb on, with stairs cut into the rock. But you’ll want to be extra careful if there is ice or snow.
Rebecca Goldsberry/Google
A better choice may be to stay on the banks of the river and take in the sight of Big Spring Falls. The frozen waterfall, surrounded by the quiet of the snow-covered woods, is an otherworldly sight. You’ll want to come back again and again throughout the winter!
Alex/Google
Have you ever hiked at Banning State Park? What was your favorite thing to see? For even more great winter hikes, check out our list of the 11 best winter hiking trails in Minnesota. And before hitting the trails this snowy season, be sure to stock up on your winter packing essentials.
kuwells/TripAdvisor
Tony Webster/Flickr
michael odell/Google
Lynda Maxson/Google
Rebecca Goldsberry/Google
Alex/Google
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Banning State Park, 61101 Banning Park Rd, Sandstone, MN 55072, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Winter Hikes in Minnesota January 23, 2022 Tori Jane What is winter in Minnesota like? In a word or two: very, very cold. Temperatures typically remain below freezing for the majority of the season, and though occasionally it may still rain despite the bitter cold, the most common precipitation during the coldest months is snow (and ice). Snowfall rates, of course, vary depending on which part of the state you’re in; some years, the southernmost regions of the state can see a meager five to ten inches while the northernmost regions of the state can see up to 170 inches during the craziest years. Sometimes, temperatures will plunge way below zero, coming it at a frigid –60 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes, sleet and ice storms are a risk; unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to wake in the morning to a layer of ice on everything. But don’t let any of this deter you – Minnesota can still be a beautiful place, even when it’s ghastly cold. As long as you bundle up properly and take precautions to protect yourself from the freezing air, you can still enjoy the great outdoors; there are plenty of amazing winter hikes throughout the state that we love, for example! For some of our favorite winter hikes in Minnesota, check this list out! What is considered record snowfall in Minnesota? Minnesota is a snowy state, but some years tend to get ultra-crazy! Some current records include a maximum 24-hour snowfall in Lake County of 36 inches (three feet!) overnight, and a maximum single storm snowfall of 46.5 inches (also in Lake County). The record for highest snowfall total in a year is 170.5 inches; the record for maximum snowfall received in a single month is 66.4 inches. The earliest snowfall on record in Minnesota occurred in September; the latest snowfall on record occurred in June! But, again – don’t let these extremes deter you from enjoying your winter season, even when it’s a tad chilly out!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Winter Hikes in Minnesota
January 23, 2022
Tori Jane
What is winter in Minnesota like? In a word or two: very, very cold. Temperatures typically remain below freezing for the majority of the season, and though occasionally it may still rain despite the bitter cold, the most common precipitation during the coldest months is snow (and ice). Snowfall rates, of course, vary depending on which part of the state you’re in; some years, the southernmost regions of the state can see a meager five to ten inches while the northernmost regions of the state can see up to 170 inches during the craziest years. Sometimes, temperatures will plunge way below zero, coming it at a frigid –60 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes, sleet and ice storms are a risk; unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to wake in the morning to a layer of ice on everything. But don’t let any of this deter you – Minnesota can still be a beautiful place, even when it’s ghastly cold. As long as you bundle up properly and take precautions to protect yourself from the freezing air, you can still enjoy the great outdoors; there are plenty of amazing winter hikes throughout the state that we love, for example! For some of our favorite winter hikes in Minnesota, check this list out! What is considered record snowfall in Minnesota? Minnesota is a snowy state, but some years tend to get ultra-crazy! Some current records include a maximum 24-hour snowfall in Lake County of 36 inches (three feet!) overnight, and a maximum single storm snowfall of 46.5 inches (also in Lake County). The record for highest snowfall total in a year is 170.5 inches; the record for maximum snowfall received in a single month is 66.4 inches. The earliest snowfall on record in Minnesota occurred in September; the latest snowfall on record occurred in June! But, again – don’t let these extremes deter you from enjoying your winter season, even when it’s a tad chilly out!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
In a word or two: very, very cold. Temperatures typically remain below freezing for the majority of the season, and though occasionally it may still rain despite the bitter cold, the most common precipitation during the coldest months is snow (and ice). Snowfall rates, of course, vary depending on which part of the state you’re in; some years, the southernmost regions of the state can see a meager five to ten inches while the northernmost regions of the state can see up to 170 inches during the craziest years. Sometimes, temperatures will plunge way below zero, coming it at a frigid –60 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes, sleet and ice storms are a risk; unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to wake in the morning to a layer of ice on everything. But don’t let any of this deter you – Minnesota can still be a beautiful place, even when it’s ghastly cold. As long as you bundle up properly and take precautions to protect yourself from the freezing air, you can still enjoy the great outdoors; there are plenty of amazing winter hikes throughout the state that we love, for example! For some of our favorite winter hikes in Minnesota, check this list out!
What is considered record snowfall in Minnesota?
Minnesota is a snowy state, but some years tend to get ultra-crazy! Some current records include a maximum 24-hour snowfall in Lake County of 36 inches (three feet!) overnight, and a maximum single storm snowfall of 46.5 inches (also in Lake County). The record for highest snowfall total in a year is 170.5 inches; the record for maximum snowfall received in a single month is 66.4 inches. The earliest snowfall on record in Minnesota occurred in September; the latest snowfall on record occurred in June! But, again – don’t let these extremes deter you from enjoying your winter season, even when it’s a tad chilly out!
