Grand Portage State Park

Series: Grand Portage (Part 1 of 3)

Way up in far northeast Minnesota is the tippiest tip of the state’s Arrowhead Region. That’s where you’ll find Grand Portage Reservation, Grand Portage National Monument, and Grand Portage State Park, all tucked in under Canada with the vast blue expanse of Lake Superior stretching to the south and east.

Named by French fur traders, Grand Portage originally referred to the 8½-mile footpath first used by Native Americans (who knew it as “the Great Carrying Place”) to avoid unnavigable stretches of the Pigeon River. As noted by the National Park Service, “The portage was the most direct route from the Great Lakes into the Canadian interior. Between 1731 and 1804, thousands of men shuttled tons of supplies and furs over the portage and in and out of warehouses at either end of the woodland trail” (www.nps.gov/grpo/learn/historyculture/index.htm). The portage has likely been in use for 2,000 years.

*The Pigeon River’s High Falls from the east deck of Grand Portage State Park. This portion of the river is definitely not navigable by canoe.*

Today Grand Portage is the name not only of the portage route, but of a community, an Indian reservation, a bay in Lake Superior, and a state park. The area provides a fascinating glimpse into history, geology, nature, and Ojibwe culture, much of it surprisingly accessible for a rugged land forged by millions of years of volcanic violence.

Starting with the cause of that ancient transit problem—the Pigeon River—we can visit Grand Portage State Park. Located on Minnesota Highway 61 just south of the border crossing into Canada (about 6½ miles northeast of the Grand Portage Casino turnoff), the park welcomes visitors with free parking and an air-conditioned visitors’ center complete with a gift shop and modern restrooms. The colorful turtle mosaic in the lobby floor honors the Ojibwe creation story of Turtle Island, where the earth is recreated on the back of a turtle after a worldwide flood. (The park is unique in that it is co-managed by the National Park Service and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.) (The Ojibwe people are also known as Chippewa.)

*Ojibwe legend tells that God flooded the world to rid it of feuding peoples, and the surviving species lived on the back of a turtle, which grew larger over time and became our earth, Turtle Island.*

*A large turtle mosaic graces the lobby floor of the visitors’ center at Grand Portage State Park, which is co-managed by the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.*

Outside the visitors’ center are a covered picnic area, a nearby viewing platform looking over the river into Canada, and a paved path to the main event of a park visit—the Pigeon River’s High Falls, Minnesota’s tallest waterfall. Forming the border between the United States and Canada here, the river tumbles over a 120-foot diabase cliff and then wends its way to Lake Superior. The ½-mile path through the forest is gentle and lined with occasional benches and interpretive signs.

*View across the Pigeon River into Ontario, Canada, after the water plunges over the High Falls.*

*View of the* *High Falls from the west observation deck.*

*Interpretive signs along the trail and at the viewing decks provide information about the falls, the portage, and indigenous life.*

Near the falls, the path changes to boardwalk. The main deck for viewing the High Falls is wheelchair accessible. The west viewing deck is closer to the falls but requires ascending 40 steps. (There are hand rails and benches at the top.) The east viewing deck requires 17 steps up but offers fabulous views both of the falls and across the river into Canada (where one can also reach the falls on a less-developed and longer loop trail).

*Wide boardwalk over the latter part of the trail makes the entire route very accessible.*

*View of the High Falls from the Grand Portage Provincial Park in Canada. The Canadian side is less developed, less visited, and less accessible.*

For those looking for more intense hiking in the state park, the Middle Falls Trail leads to the smaller, less dramatic Middle Falls of the river. This moderate/difficult (conditions vary) 4½-mile loop trail typically takes about 3 hours to complete.

Park Map

Grand Portage State Park is open daily 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Take a virtual tour of the park at www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/virtual_tour/grand_portage/dialup.html.

Part 2: Mount Josephine Rest Area

Part 3: Grand Portage National Monument

Learn more about visiting Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior with Easy-Walking North Shore (Lake Superior).