Big Spring Falls is the Hidden Gem You Didn’t Know You Were Missing!

Sep 8

Sep 8 Big Spring Falls is the Hidden Gem You Didn’t Know You Were Missing!

I’ve learned to be pretty flexible during the pandemic, working around last minute cancelations, location closures and crowd avoidance. With all of that said, it is still pretty disheartening when you set your intentions to go somewhere as responsibly as possible only to have to change course because of over-crowding.

My husband and I recently decided to take a day trip up to Banning State Park only to get there and see nearly everyone in the surrounding metro had the same idea that day! To be completely honest, I wasn’t that surprised by it. We’ve run into over-crowded parks countless times since the shutdowns in March, but it is always kind of a bummer when you have to change your plans on a dime.

We have been playing things very safe, taking the 6 feet rule to heart and wearing masks everywhere we go. With as crowded as the park was that day, it would’ve been kind of annoying to make your way through that many people even without a global pandemic. So without a second thought, we immediately left to try our luck somewhere else close by.

Related Article: When Life Gives You Lemons, Find A New Park!

A quick, “parks near me” Google search on the fly led us to what could possibly be my new favorite spot on the way up North, Big Spring Falls!

What neither my husband and I realized is that Banning State Park is actually quite large and has multiple entrance points. Google maps takes you directly to the main entrance near the visitor center, however there is another (much smaller) parking lot in the town of Sandstone, MN, that most people don’t know about.

As Big Spring Falls is still a part of the state park, you will need to purchase a visitor’s pass for your vehicle. If you plan on visiting more than one state park this year, I recommend getting the yearly pass for only $35. That way you’re covered and don’t have to worry about stopping to pay every time you enter a new park.

We ended up having the most amazing day! The trails at this end of the park are much shorter, but it was still fun scrambling up around the rocks and of course, checking out the waterfall! After enjoying lunch, I kicked my shoes off and had a blast walking in the Kettle River. Just use caution if you plan to do the same, the rocks can be slippery! And it goes without saying to keep an eye on your little ones if they’re playing in the river.