Sandstone, Minnesota - Ice Climbing in the News

Wow - Sandstone Minnesota has been in the news lately. Here's a couple links to news stories about the ice climbing in Sandstone.

Ice climbing festival draws enthusiasts from Midwest and beyond

https://duluthnewstribune.com/sports/outdoors/4554637-ice-climbing-festival-draws-enthusiasts-midwest-and-beyond

Sandstone Aspiring to Be an Ice Climbing Mecca in Minnesota

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/minnesota/articles/2019-01-19/sandstone-aspiring-to-be-an-ice-climbing-mecca-in-minnesota

That's So Minnesota: Ice climbing in Sandstone

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/thats-so-minnesota-ice-climbing-in-sandstone/89-89657a0d-defb-4921-b434-ae796684f0cb


Learn more at
https://visitsandstonemn.com/ice-climbing-sandstone-mn/


The Sandstone Tourism Board is available to provide media access to all events.
320 372 0756
or email
visitsandstone@gmail.com

Sandstone MN Festivals

Supporting Festivals in Sandstone MN

One of the core functions of the Sandstone Tourism Development Committee is supporting the festivals in Sandstone and to encourage additional events in the city.
We have a few established festivals including the Sandstone Ice Festival and the Kettle River Paddle Fest, and more recently an end of summer rock climbing festival.

Bringing Your Event to Sandstone MN

Contacting the Sandstone Visitors Board is a first step in getting your event plans to move forward in Sandstone MN.  We can help with the city level redtape and guide you through the "local" process of starting an event.

Additionally we are available to help with your marketing plan and all the logistical details that go into putting together a successful event.  

Email VisitSandstone@gmail.com

Sandstone Ice Festival

Now in its 14th year, the Sandstone Ice Festival ranks as one of the major ice climbing events across the country.  Nationally known, the festival draws in climbers from across the midwest and into Canada.
Started back in 2004, the Sandstone Ice Festival put our small town on the map for ice climbing as well as opening the door to additional festivals.
This yearly ice climbing festival happens the first weekend of January, find out more at Sandstone Ice Fest

Kettle River Paddle Fest

Sandstone, Minnesota hosts a yearly whitewater paddling festival.  On the first weekend in May padders gather for the trills of running the rapids on the Kettle River.

Challenge yourself on the class III whitewater of Banning State Park, on enjoy an easy float on the flat water sections on the Kettle River.

This event includes a down river race and a whitewater rodeo - participate or just show up to see what's happening. Get the details at website Kettle River Paddle Festival

Bring it to Sandstone

Do you think your event would be a good fit to the family friendly small town of Sandstone, MN ??  Maybe it's a triathlon or a obstacle course, how about a fly fishing "workshop."   contact the Visitors Board for our input.

Email VisitSandstone@gmail.com

Sandstone Visitors Board

The Sandstone Visitors Board is the local organization working on the daily and short term tourism goals for Sandstone, Minnesota.  Think of us as your welcoming committee and a first contact for visitors and the media.  

Find out more about Sandstone, Minnesota and the Sandstone Tourism Development Committee at VisitSandstoneMN.com

Minnesota White Water Rafting

Minnesota White Water Rafting

Sandstone, Minnesota is getting a reputation as a Minnesota White Water Rafting town.

Located on the Kettle River and butting up against Banning State Park, Sandstone is perfectly placed for white water rafting adventures.  Paddlers have been playing on the class III whitewater for years, but just within the past 4 years has there been a white water rafting company right here in Sandstone, MN

Minnesota White Water Rafting Guide

If you're looking for guided white water rafting in Minnesota, local Sandstone guide company, Hard Water Sports, has tours on the Kettle River from May to September.

Book your Minnesota White Water Rafting Adventure

The "clean and beautiful" Kettle River

Winter in Sandstone Minnesota

Winter Fun in Sandstone MN

Sandstone, Minnesota has Easy Access to Adventure.

Spring, summer, fall and WINTER - visit Sandstone, Minnesota the "First City of the North Woods" for year round adventure fun.

Winter Fun in Sandstone, MN read more here.

Ice Climbing in Sandstone, MN 

Sandstone, Minnesota is the home to Minnesota's first ice climbing park.
read more about Ice Climbing in Sandstone, MN

Rent Ice Climbing Gear in Sandstone, MN

Local ice climbing guide company, Hard Water Sports, has ice climbing equipment for rental. Rent ice climbing crampons, ice axes, and ice climbing boots right in downtown Sandstone.  Minnesota Ice Climbing Gear Rental.

Guided Ice Climbing in Sandstone, Minnesota

Need a guide for your ice climbing adventure??
Hard Water Sports has guided ice climbing classes just an hour north of Minneapolis, MN.
Minnesota Ice Climbing Guide.

For more information about adventures near Sandstone, MN please visit the website VisitSandstoneMN.com

Sandstone Tourism Development Committee.

Big Water on the Kettle River

Big Water run of the Dragon's Tooth Rapid, Kettle River, Banning State Park.

Local Sandstone, Minnesota whitewater rafting company, Hard Water Sports, offers tours of the "clean and beautiful" Kettle River. 

Sandstone, MN is known for our "easy access to adventure."  Plan your next adventure in Sandstone and you can:
Hiking - 20 plus miles of hiking in Banning State Park.
Climbing - Rock and/or ice climbing in Robinson Park.
Fishing - plenty of fish in the Kettle River.
Canoe/kayak - Sandstone has access to the Kettle River flat water.

and of course there's
Rafting - on the "clean and beautiful" Kettle River.

#cleanandbeautiful #yournextadventure #sandstonemn #kettleriver

Sandstone Minnesota Ice Climbing Park

Ice Climbing Sandstone Minnesota

In Sandstone, Minnesota there's an ice climbing park.
Farmed ice, flooding the old quarry walls of the park provide an icy playground for adventure lovers.  

Minnesota’s First Ice Park

In the past few years plumbing and piping for sprinkler heads have been installed above the cliffs in Robinson Park. The farmed ice draws in climbers from across the United States and has become a destination spot for many seeking frozen walls of ice.
With the support of the city of Sandstone, volunteer climbers were organized by the Minnesota Climbers Association to install the water supply system for the ice.  The plumbing is hooked into the city's water lines.  

Sandstone Ice Festival

The Sandstone Ice Festival started back in 2004, helping to open the park to the climbing community.  The festival was organized to help promote ice and to bring some positive recognition to the community.
After 14 years the festival continues bring tourism to Sandstone.

Ice Climbing in Robinson Park Quarry 

Sandstone MN Ice Park

 The Robinson Park is open to the public for climbing year round, the Ice climbing starts in early December (or when it’s cold enough) and the Ice Festival happens January 6,7,8 – 2019.

Climbing options include sport routes, trad routes and bouldering – ice climbing, and “mixed” rock and ice climbs. Routes range from 60 to 90 feet in height.

 Robinson Quarry Ice Park

Special recognition for the success of the Ice Park belongs to the City of Sandstone, the Minnesota Climbers Association, and the volunteer climbers who helped to make the dream come true.

For more information please contact the Sandstone Visitors Board

Getting to Sandstone Ice Park

Located just off interstate highway 35, roughly half way between the Twin Cities and Duluth.

• Follow highway 123 through town.
• turn left on Old Wagon Road just before you cross the Kettle River.

Accommodations near Sandstone MN

MN ice climbing

Hotels in Hinckley Minnesota are only 10 minutes for the Sandstone Ice Park.  Camping is also available in Robinson Park for a small fee. 

For questions about climbing in Robinson Park call Hard Water Sports  651  302-1774.

Ice Climbing Gear Rental

Robinson Park - Existing Conditions Summary

Robinson Park in Sandstone Minnesota - Existing Conditions Summary 

Purpose 

• Identify needs and document changes 

  – Update recommendations 

  – Implementation strategy, projects and funding 

• Direction and Design Concept for Park and Waterfront 

Condition Assessment 

• Dangerous remnants of dam need removal
• No pedestrian access to Robinson Park
• No access to drinking water 
• Public restrooms in need of improvements/redesign
• River bank stabilization
• Boat access above dam eroded and in need of redesign 
• Boat access below dam eroded, redesign needed for safe river access
• Inadequate parking at Big Spring Falls
• No in town signage directing visitors to Sandstone’s parks

2018 Robinson Park Redevelopment Goals 

• Goal 1: Provide a safe park for local families and visitors
• Goal 2: Expand and develop the recreation opportunities for all ages 
• Goal 3: Develop and improve pedestrian connections between Robinson Park and the community
• Goal 4: Make upgrades to meet the needs of existing and future population of Sandstone, MN  

Community Concerns 

Park safety for visitors

Cost of Robinson Park Improvement Plan

Level of maintenance required for plan

“Safe access connecting the town to Robinson Park for bikes and pedestrians would be a huge improvement”

“Removing the old dan should have been done years ago, it’s a very dangerous place”

“The bathrooms are disgusting”

“It’s very dangerous, we’ve always told our kids to never swim there.”

“Public water access above and below the dam rapids need repairs.”

https://visitsandstonemn.com/robinson-park-sandstone_mn/