Grand Portage National Monument

Grand Portage National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in Minnesota.

In the park service’s words

Travel into the past to discover the present. Explore the partnership between the Grand Portage Anishinaabe and the North West Company during the North American fur trade. Experience the sights and smells of a bustling depot reconstructed in its historic location. See how it shaped co-management with the NPS today. Follow pathways to the past to imagine a drum echo over Gichigami - Lake Superior.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Hike Gichi Onigaming (Grand Portage) (3 to 48 Hours): Several options exist for exploring the Grand Portage. From a canoe adventure starting in the Boundary Waters to a short walk from the Depot, this trail offers year-round options for hiking, portaging, skiing, and snowshoeing.
• Visit Grand Portage State Park (1 to 4 Hours): Grand Portage State Park is the location of the highest waterfall in Minnesota. The waterfalls and rapids along this section of the Pigeon River caused the significance of the Grand Portage Trail bypass for canoe traffic. The wheelchair appropriate mile-long (round trip) trail is available year round.
• Hike Grand Portage Trails: Hike the Mount Rose Trail for stunning views of Grand Portage Bay and the Depot. To experience the trek the Voyageurs made as well as Indigenous people before them, hike a portion or all of Gitchi Onagamiing, the Grand Portage Trail.
• Browse the Bookstore: A selection of books and souvenirs are available for sale in the bookstore.
• Visit the Reconstructed North West Company Depot (1 to 3 Hours): Boozhoo! Bonjour! Welcome to the Depot! In the days of the fur trade, a great variety of people passed through its gates to do business with the North West Company. As you wander the Depot you'll find three reconstructed post and sill log buildings, and four outside areas -- Ojibwe village, Voyageurs Encampment, dock a
• Birding on Mount Rose (30 to 90 Minutes): From the Heritage Center parking lot to the top of Mount Rose and down to the Historic Depot, you'll pass through different habitats. Listen for Merlins and White-throated Sparrows, watch Turkey Vultures soar, and warblers flit among the branches.
• Earn a Grand Portage Junior Ranger Badge: Junior Rangers have fun discovering history, while learning about why we need to protect the special treasures found in our National Parks. We need the help of all our rangers to keep Grand Portage National Monument preserved and protected for many more years to come. Pick up a free Junior Ranger activity booklet at th
• Snowshoeing at Grand Portage: Ask at the front desk to check out a pair of historic snowshoes for the day. Explore the snowy Depot area.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. The Anishinaabe Oodena (Ojibwe Village), the grounds outside of the palisade, and the Mount Rose and Grand Portage trails are open daily year-round.

Camping

Getting there

Traveling northeast or southwest on MN Hwy 61 visitors will see signs alerting the approach to Grand Portage National Monument. A right turn exit lane or left turn from Hwy 61 at the Grand Portage Trading Post will take visitors onto Casino Road. Turn left at the first stop sign from Casino Road to Mile Creek Road. About 3/4 mile on Mile Creek Road, look for the large wooden entrance sign. Turn left up the short hill into the Heritage Center parking lot.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Heritage Center: Mon 9:00AM - 4:30PM; Tue 9:00AM - 4:30PM; Wed 9:00AM - 4:30PM; Thu 9:00AM - 4:30PM; Fri 9:00AM - 4:30PM; Sat 9:00AM - 4:30PM; Sun Closed. The Heritage Center is also the Park Headquarters. Summer: open 9 am - 5 pm daily. Beginning Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the Heritage Center is open 9 am - 4:30 pm. Winter Hours start 10/25/2026: 9 am - 4:30 pm, closed Sundays and Federal holidays.

Weather

Short, warm summers and long, cold winters define the climate of northern Minnesota. Average range of summer temperature is from 55°F to 78°F in July and average range of winter temperatures is from, 11°F to 12°F in January. Average annual precipitation in Grand Portage, MN is about 32 inches.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Isle Royale, about 56 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Grand Portage National Monument (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.