{"result":{"narratives":{"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. Visitors can expect to see white-tail deer and black bear along with other small animals and birds."],"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. An ancient sea covered much of what is now Minnesota, and deposited mud and sand that hardened over time into a thick layer of bedded shales and sandstones known as the Rove Formation. These are the layered rocks you can see along the highway northeast of Grand Portage as well as along the gorge of the Pigeon River below the falls. About 1.1 billion years ago, the continent began to spread along a rift that extended from what is now eastern Lake Superior to Kansas. Basaltic lava poured out along this zone, making most of the rocks along the North Shore, while here in Grand Portage, diabase intrusions penetrated the older Rove shales along large vertical fractures, forming dikes. The High Falls of the Pigeon River are made by a diabase dike that is very resistant to erosion, especially compared to the surrounding Rove shales. Much later, starting about 2 million years ago, great glaciers, originating in Canada, advanced many times into this area, with warmer interglacial climates between each advance. The most recent glacial retreat occurred only around 10,000 years ago. Water filled the huge basin (now occupied by Lake Superior) that had been scooped out by the glaciers, and the land under and around the basin gradually rebounded from the weight of the ice and the lake level slowly receded."," The ridges around Grand Portage State Park would have first emerged as an isolated group of offshore islands. As centuries passed, gravel was deposited in terraces by the retreating lake. The path to High Falls cuts directly through one of these gravel terraces. About 9,000 years ago, the lake level dropped to a point where the river mouth would have been at the lower end of the High Falls gorge. If High Falls is a post-glacial landform, then the gorge is only about 9,000 years old. There is speculation among geologists that the gorge was cut before the glaciers came, filled with sediment, and was re-excavated after the lake level dropped. There is evidence for this happening in several other North Shore river valleys."],"landscape":["Mixed hardwood forest covers most of the park and is dominated by paper birch and quaking aspen, with occasional white spruce, white pine, balsam fir, white cedar, poplar, and black ash. Visitors will also see mountain ash, mountain maple, red-dosier dogwood, and thimbleberry. The slopes and crest of the large ridge are boreal forest communities containing abundant groundcover that includes clintonia, bunchberry, wild sarsaparilla, and club mosses and ferns. The forested areas provide a beautiful backdrop to the rugged beauty of the falls and the shoreline of the Pigeon River that runs through the park."],"introduction":["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. This trail became known as \"The Grand Portage.\" Today, visitors of all abilities can take a one-half mile trail and boardwalk to the falls overlook area. The park is designed for day use only and contains mixed hardwood-conifer forests and hiking trails along the banks of the Pigeon River. The spectacular scenery sets the stage for recreational opportunities that include hiking, photography, and picnicking. The park lies within the Grand Portage Indian Reservation and is bordered by Canada on the north and east. Lake Superior is about one mile east of the park."],"naturalist":["Year-round naturalist programs are available at this park."],"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. To American Indians, voyageurs, and fur traders in the 1700s, the natural features of the area were an awesome sight. Travelers and traders were faced with a 120-foot waterfall, the thundering rapids of the Pigeon River, cliffs, and rocky terrain that was impossible to cross. The only option was to go around these obstacles. The nine-mile trek became known as \"The Grand Portage\" and ultimately gave the area its name. The park lies within the Grand Portage Indian Reservation and is bordered by Canada on the north and east. Lake Superior is about one mile east of the park. The park was established in 1989 through the cooperative efforts of the State of Minnesota and the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa Indians. A unique situation exists in that this is the only state park not owned by the State of Minnesota. The land is leased from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) which holds it in trust for the Grand Portage Band. The development and operation of the park rests primarily with the Department of Natural Resources and is implemented through the Parks and Trails Division."]},"directory":"grand_portage","maps":[{"url":"https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00173.pdf","type":"pdf","title":"all season"},{"title":"all season","type":"geopdf","url":"https://mobile-maps-files.dnr.state.mn.us/file/State_Parks/Grand%20Portage%20GEO.pdf"}],"bbox":{"epsg:4326":[-89.619627,47.997227,-89.58435,48.017853]},"ta_id":"143415","contact":{"hours":"The 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. If your phone's Date & Time Settings are programmed to set the time automatically, this will make the time on your phone jump ahead one hour.

","email":"grandportage.statepark@state.mn.us","fax":"218-475-2365","address":"9393 East Highway 61
Grand Portage, MN 55605","phone":"218-877-8630"},"widgets":{"tripadvisor":{"rating":"4.8","num_reviews":"226","review_rating_count":{"4":"41","3":"3","1":"0","2":"0","5":"182"},"write_review":"https://www.tripadvisor.com/UserReview-g43117-d143415-Grand_Portage_State_Park-Grand_Portage_Minnesota.html?m=60688","rating_image_url":"https://www.tripadvisor.com/img/cdsi/img2/ratings/traveler/5.0-60688-5.svg","web_url":"https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g43117-d143415-Reviews-Grand_Portage_State_Park-Grand_Portage_Minnesota.html?m=60688"}},"recreation_facilities":{"winter":[],"water":[],"summer":[{"qualifier":"","notes":"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.","type":"Picnic Area"}]},"highlights":["Minnesota's tallest waterfall","Hiking","Scenic views","Picnicking","U.S.-Canada border landmark","Ojibwe and Voyageur history"],"seasonal_update":{"campgrounds":"This is a day-use only park with no overnight camping or lodging. Motorists are permitted to stop at rest areas for up to 4 hours. Overnight vehicle camping in the rest area parking lots is not allowed.","electric_sites":"","trails":"All trails are open. The paved High Falls Trail is wheelchair accessible. Visitors should expect muddy conditions on the Middle Falls Trail if it has rained recently. Please practice responsible hiking techniques and stay on the trail. Walk through mud rather than around it to avoid widening the trail.","programs":"","drinking_water":"A drinking fountain and water bottle filling station is available in the visitor center lobby.","reservations":"","dump_station":"","contact":"The 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. If your phone's Date & Time Settings are programmed to set the time automatically, this will make the time on your phone jump ahead one hour.

","bathrooms":"The park is home to a Class 1 Highway Rest Area. The rest area bathrooms are open 24 hours a day.","buildings":"","other":"","rvs":"","rentals":"","showers":"","water":""},"amenities":[{"qualifier":"Accessible","type":"Ranger Station","notes":"The park office is a short distance along an accessible path from the parking area."},{"qualifier":"Park office/trail signs","type":"Interpretive Exhibit","notes":""},{"type":"Historic Site","notes":"The landmark, located at end of picnic trail, is the international border marker between Canada and the USA.","qualifier":"International border marker"},{"notes":"Nature Store is stocked with souvenirs, books, apparel and more. Product line showcases Indian culture and the natural environment of the area.","type":"Gift Shop","qualifier":"In park office"},{"qualifier":"","notes":"Birding kits, GPS units and kids discovery kits (activities and stories for ages 5-12) are free to check out at the ranger station.","type":"Rentals"},{"qualifier":"Accessible boardwalk","type":"Other","notes":"Boardwalk leads to High Falls, Minnesota's tallest waterfall."}],"point":{"epsg:4326":[-89.59363,47.998931]},"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.","alert":"

Trail Conditions

All trails are open. The paved High Falls Trail is wheelchair accessible. Visitors should expect muddy conditions on the Middle Falls Trail if it has rained recently. Please practice responsible hiking techniques and stay on the trail. Walk through mud rather than around it to avoid widening the trail.

Office Hours/Travel Information Services

The 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. If your phone's Date & Time Settings are programmed to set the time automatically, this will make the time on your phone jump ahead one hour.

Camping Information

Grand Portage State Park is a day-use only park with no overnight camping or lodging.

Rest Area Information

Rest area facilities are open. Motorists are permitted to stop at rest areas for up to four hours. Overnight vehicle camping in the rest area parking lots is not allowed.

Vehicle Permits

Access to Grand Portage State Park is Free! State Park Vehicle Permits are not required at this park.

Updated August 3, 2026

","notes":"

Things to do and see at the park

","nearest_town":"Grand Marais, Minnesota and Thunder Bay, Ontario","name":"Grand Portage State Park","hours_of_operation":"Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.","acres":291,"adaptive_equipment":[],"overnight_facilities":{"lodging":[],"sanitation":[{"notes":"One rustic toilet, located near the beginning of the boardwalk on the High Falls Trail.","type":"Vault Toilets","qualifier":""}],"camping":[{"notes":"Grand Portage is a day-use only park with no camping or lodging.","type":"Other","qualifier":"No overnight facilities in this park"}]},"id":"spk00173","emt_id":8942,"related_pages":[{"title":"bird checklist","url":"https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/destinations/state_parks/grand_portage/bird_checklist.pdf","type":"pdf"},{"title":"panoramic tour","url":"https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/destinations/state_parks/virtual_tours/grand_portage/vt_grandportage.html","type":"html"},{"title":"snapshot tour","url":"https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/virtual_tour/grand_portage/dialup.html","type":"html"},{"url":"https://www.exploreminnesota.com/profile/grand-portage-state-park/1909","type":"html","title":"Explore Minnesota profile"}],"trails":{"winter":[{"qualifier":"Snowshoers may use any of the trails","notes":"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.

Snowshoe rentals are available at the ranger station.

","type":"Snowshoe"}],"summer":[{"qualifier":"Two trails, 1.5 miles total","notes":"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.","type":"Accessible"},{"qualifier":"Four and one-half miles (round trip)","notes":"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. Allow three to four hours to fully appreciate the rugged beauty of this trail. Trail can be very muddy during wet conditions.","type":"Hiking"},{"type":"Boardwalk","notes":"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.","qualifier":"700 feet"}]}},"timestamp":1790828518,"message":"Normal execution.","status":"SUCCESS"}