Grand Portage State Park is a Minnesota state park near Grand Portage, covering 291 acres. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. It has no overnight camping or lodging. Entry needs a state park vehicle permit, $7 for a day, as the DNR fees page said on October 19, 2026.
- 291acres
- Grand Portagemailing town
- Noovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Minnesota's tallest waterfall
- Hiking
- Scenic views
- Picnicking
- U.S.-Canada border landmark
- Ojibwe and Voyageur history
Plan It In Three Lines
- Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Cost: a $7 one-day vehicle permit or a $35 year-round permit, per the DNR fees page of October 19, 2026; confirm before you go.
- Pets: leashed (six feet or shorter) outside buildings, lodging and beaches, per the DNR rules page; park-specific limits are listed below.
About The Park
The DNR describes it: Torrents of wild water plummet 120 feet over the High Falls down to the Pigeon River in this park on the U.S. – Canadian border. The falls, the tallest in the state, presented a serious obstacle to river travel, so a "carrying place," or portage, was necessary. American Indians created the ancient nine-mile trail from Lake Superior to bypass the falls.
Wildlife. The glacial ridges in the park add to a varied terrain which harbors an abundance of wildlife. The channeled bays and river islands below the falls are home to osprey, eagle, otter, beaver, moose, and great-blue heron.
History. Git-che-O-ni-ga-ming and Grand Portage are Ojibwe and French words for "a great carrying place." Grand Portage State Park and the surrounding area is rich in Indian and fur trade history.
Geology. The geology of High Falls is a story of fire and ice. According to geologists, it begins in the middle of the Precambrian Era about 1.9 billion years ago.
Visit Facts
- Address9393 East Highway 61 Grand Portage, MN 55605
- Phone218-877-8630
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursThe park's information desk, gift shop and interpretive display hall are open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, seven days a week. All times are Central Standard Time. Please Note: Cell phones may pick up a signal from Ontario, Canada while in the park. Ontario is on Eastern Standard Time.
- Emailgrandportage.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point47.99893, -89.59363 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Grand Portage State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Accessible | Two trails, 1.5 miles total | The one-mile round-trip High Falls Trail takes you along a paved boardwalk to Minnesota's tallest waterfall. The Picnic Trail is a half-mile loop, and leads down a paved path to several grassy picnic table sites. |
| Summer | Hiking | Four and one-half miles (round trip) | This challenging trail leads to Middle Falls, a beautiful 20-foot waterfall. The trail passes over ridgetops, through heavily-wooded forests and along the banks of the Pigeon River, with breathtaking views of the river gorge and Lake Superior. |
| Summer | Boardwalk | 700 feet | This is the last section of the High Falls Trail. This section of trail is wheelchair accessible and leads to the scenic overlook for High Falls, Minnesota's tallest waterfall. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Snowshoers may use any of the trails | The High Falls Trail is a wide, relatively flat, easy trail. The Picnic Trail is a wide, flat, easy trail with multiple views of the Pigeon River. The Middle Falls Trail has steep, rugged terrain and should only be attempted by advanced snowshoers. |
Camping And Lodging
The DNR lists no camping or lodging here. This is a day-use park.
On The Water
The DNR lists no water recreation here.
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | — | There are several picnic tables near the visitor center. Some tables are accessible, and there is a covered picnic shelter. More tables are available on Picnic Trail, overlooking the Pigeon River. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | Accessible | The park office is a short distance along an accessible path from the parking area. |
| Interpretive Exhibit | Park office/trail signs | — |
| Historic Site | International border marker | The landmark, located at end of picnic trail, is the international border marker between Canada and the USA. |
| Gift Shop | In park office | Nature Store is stocked with souvenirs, books, apparel and more. Product line showcases Indian culture and the natural environment of the area. |
| Rentals | — | Birding kits, GPS units, sensory kits (headphones, fidget toys, calming toys), and kids discovery kits (activities and stories for ages 5-12) are free to check out at the visitor center. |
| Other | Accessible boardwalk | Boardwalk leads to High Falls, Minnesota's tallest waterfall. |
Pets And Permits
Statewide, the DNR rules page says pets are welcome in state parks on a leash six feet or shorter, attended at all times; only service animals are allowed in buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas. A vehicle permit costs $7 a day or $35 a year (DNR fees page, read October 19, 2026). See the parks passport page for the full price list.
Directions
From the town of Grand Marais, Minnesota, travel north on State Highway 61 for about 36 miles to the Canadian Border. The park entrance is on the west side of the highway, just before you come to the U.S. Customs Station on the US/Canada border.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Judge C.R. Magney State ParkState Park, about 25 miles away in a straight line
- Cascade River State ParkState Park, about 47 miles away in a straight line
What We Could Not Verify
- Current alerts, closures, trail and campground conditions: they change daily. Read the DNR park page before you go.
- County: the DNR page does not state it, so we do not print one.
- Fees for lodging and group sites, and day-by-day availability: set by the DNR reservation system.
- Permit prices were read on October 19, 2026 and the DNR page shows no effective date.
- The map point is the park’s printed coordinate, not a verified entrance.
More In Duluth & North Shore
- Canal Park and the Lakewalk, Duluth
- Grand Portage National Monument
- Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
- Split Rock Lighthouse Historic Site
- Superior Hiking Trail
- Cascade River State Park
- George H. Crosby Manitou State Park
- Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Jay Cooke State Park
- Judge C.R. Magney State Park
- Events in Duluth & North Shore
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Grand Portage State Park?
It is near Grand Portage, Minnesota. The DNR address is 9393 East Highway 61 Grand Portage, MN 55605.
How much does it cost to visit Grand Portage State Park?
A one-day vehicle permit is $7 and a year-round permit is $35 on the DNR fees page we read on October 19, 2026. Check the fees page before you go.
Are dogs allowed at Grand Portage State Park?
Pets are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter outside buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas, per the DNR rules page. The park page states no extra limits we could read.
Sources
- Grand Portage State Park (DNR Recreation Compass data) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park fees (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park rules (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota State Parks Passport, all places, park fees and rules.