Activities for a Full Day or More

Fall is one of the best times to hike the Grand Portage Trail

NPS photo

If you have a full day, plan to do everything you can do in a half day plus:

• Hike the Grand Portage footpath from the depot to new Highway 61 (1 1/2 mile round trip - about half an hour)

If you have more than a day, add:

• Hike the Grand Portage footpath from the stockade to Old Highway 61 (eight miles round trip - three to four hours)

• Hike the Grand Portage from Old Highway 61 to Fort Charlotte (nine miles round trip - six to eight hours)

• Hike the entire Grand Portage footpath from the stockade on Lake Superior to Fort Charlotte and back (17 miles round trip eight to 16 hours)

• Camp overnight at Fort Charlotte - obtain your backcountry permit during regular business hours from the Heritage Center or online (24 hours plus)

• Visit Grand Portage State Park - See High Falls, the highest waterfalls in Minnesota - hike to upper and lower Middle Falls

Details

Duration

1-3 Days

The area between Mount Rose and the North West Company Depot, including the Heritage Center, can be seen in one day. Add another two days to hike to Fort Chalotte and back (reservations required for camping). Add another day or more to visit Isle Royale National Park.

Activity

Cultural Demonstrations

Pets Allowed

Yes with Restrictions

Pets on a six foot leash are permitted on the Mount Rose and Grand Portage trails.

The following structures and/or sales areas are closed to pets:
The Heritage (visitor) Center, Historic Depot area (gatehouse, kitchen, Great Hall, canoe warehouse, Ojibwe village, voyageurs encampment, restrooms, Rendezvous historic encampment).

Guide or service dogs for seeing impaired or physically disabled persons are permitted within all park facilities.

Sunny summer days include intense sunlight which can heat vehicles up very quickly. Pets can overheat rapidly in closed vehicles, possibly resulting in life threatening heat exhaustion or heat stroke. If you choose to leave your pet in your vehicle during your visit to Grand Portage, please provide for adequate ventilation and water in your vehicle and plan regular return visits to monitor your pet's condition. Your pet(s) will thank you for your caution.

 

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Grand Portage National Monument

Grand Portage National Monument is more than the Depot! The monument preserves 710 acres which include: the historic depot (71 acres) located on Lake Superior, the site of Fort Charlotte (98 acres) on the Pigeon River, with the Grand Portage (541 acres) connecting the two depots. The 8.5 mile portage corridor and Fort Charlotte (639 acres) contain the majority of the Monument's semi-wilderness setting. 

Reservations

Yes

Reservations are required to camp at Fort Charlotte.

Season

Year Round

The North West Company Depot is open from Memorial Day weekend through Indigenous People's Day. The trails and Heritage Center are open year round.

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

A sidewalk connects the parking area, which has two accessible parking areas, to the Heritage Center. Two floors of exhibits in the Heritage Center are completely accessible. The sidewalk outside the Heritage Center continues to the crosswalk at Mile Creek Road (County Road 17).Please use caution while crossings as Mile Creek Road is the most used road by Grand Portage After the crosswalk, the path becomes a hardened gravel accessible trail throughout the historic site. The path goes through the Ojibwe Village. A path that does not meet accessibility standards leads down to the Voyageurs Encampment.

A ramp connects the canoe warehouse to the hardened pathway. Interpretive exhibits include the largest birchbark canoes you will ever see plus displays and programs presented inside, all of which are accessible.

A ramp located on the west side of the kitchen, allows entry to the back door of the kitchen. Another ramp from the kitchen’s east side, allows access to the main gate under the gatehouse and a view of the Grand Portage footpath and the Mount Rose Trail which are not accessible pathways.

An accessible breezeway connects the kitchen to the great hall which also accessibly connects to all porches of the reconstructed kitchen and great hall. Interpretive exhibits, hands-on displays, video programs, and ranger conducted interpretive activities that are offered in these buildings are accessible.

Restrooms in the historic site are connected to the accessible trail. Each restroom includes an accessible stall.

Two wheelchairs are available free of charge to use during your visit. Wheelchairs are located in the Heritage Center and in the great hall. Please ask monument staff for assistance.

Large print, audiotape and Braille formatted interpretive literature can be provided when we are given a three working day notice. Language interpreters may also be provided if we are alerted three days before your visit. Please call the monument: 218-475-0123 or please e-mail us.