Grand Portage State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- dnr.state.mn.us(218) 877-8630
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 5
Weather Trail ConditionsAll trails are open. The paved High Falls Trail is wheelchair accessible. Visitors should expect muddy conditions on the Middle Falls Trail if it has… (more)
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.
Posted by the park 2026-10-01. Official alert
Weather Office Hours/Travel Information ServicesThe park's information desk, gift shop and interpretive display hall are open 10 AM to 4 PM Monday through Wednesday and 9 AM to 5 PM Thursday… (more)
The park's information desk, gift shop and interpretive display hall are open 10 AM to 4 PM Monday through Wednesday and 9 AM to 5 PM Thursday through Sunday. 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.
Posted by the park 2026-10-01. Official alert
Alert Camping InformationGrand Portage State Park is a day-use only park with no overnight camping or lodging.
Posted by the park 2026-10-01. Official alert
Alert Rest Area InformationRest 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… (more)
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.
Posted by the park 2026-10-01. Official alert
Alert Vehicle PermitsAccess to Grand Portage State Park is Free! State Park Vehicle Permits are not required at this park.
Posted by the park 2026-10-01. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 245 acres, Grand Portage State Park lies in Cook County, about 39 miles northeast of Grand Marais.
Popular activities here are historic sites, hiking, and picnicking. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Office | Daily | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
| Park | Open 24 hours | ||
Official wording
Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
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.
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.
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. Drinking water: A drinking fountain and water bottle filling station is available in the visitor center lobby. Bathrooms: The park is home to a Class 1 Highway Rest Area. The rest area bathrooms are open 24 hours a day. 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.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets allowed on a leash six feet or shorter (or in a portable enclosure) and personally attended; only service animals in buildings, lodging, camper cabins, yurts, tipis, tours and beach areas.
Statewide rule from Minnesota's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Per vehicle: a state park vehicle permit (one-day $7 or year-round $35) is required for every vehicle; same price for residents and nonresidents. Four free park days per year. Iron Range OHV SRA states 'There is no entrance fee'.
Statewide fee rule from Minnesota's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Minnesota park passes
- Year-round vehicle permit — $35. Unlimited visits to every Minnesota state park and recreation area for 12 months from the month of purchase Details
- One-day vehicle permit — $7. One day, one vehicle Details
- Additional year-round vehicle permit — $26. Additional vehicles owned by a year-round permit holder Details
- Year-round motorcycle permit — $30. Motorcycle, 12 months Details
- One-day group permit — $5. Group vehicles, one day Details
From the Minnesota state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Reserve MN (US eDirect)
- Phone
- 866-857-2757
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other No overnight facilities in this park — Grand Portage is a day-use only park with no camping or lodging. | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Other — No overnight facilities in this park: Grand Portage is a day-use only park with no camping or lodging.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
HikingPicnickingHistoric sites and toursCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowshoe (winter) | — | — | 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. Snowshoe rentals are available at the ranger station.Snowshoe |
| Accessible (summer) | 1.5 mi | — | 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.AccessibleAccessible |
| Hiking (summer) | 4.5 mi | — | 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. Allow three to four hours to fully appreciate the rugged beauty of this trail. Trail can be very muddy during wet conditions.Hiking |
| Boardwalk (summer) | — | — | 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.Boardwalk |
Trail descriptions from the park
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. Snowshoe rentals are available at the ranger station. 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. Allow three to four hours to fully appreciate the rugged beauty of this trail. Trail can be very muddy during wet conditions. 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. 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.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Vault or pit toilets
- Picnic areas
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
Camping
- Tent camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Ranger Station — Accessible: The park office is a short distance along an accessible path from the parking area. Other — Accessible boardwalk: Boardwalk leads to High Falls, Minnesota's tallest waterfall. 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. 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. 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.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 9393 East Highway 61
Grand Portage, MN 55605 - Nearest town
- Grand Marais — about 39 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 47.9989, -89.5936
- Phone
- (218) 877-8630
- grandportage.statepark@state.mn.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
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.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Minnesota State Parks and Trails — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 1, 2026
- MN DNR A-Z list of state parks and recreation areas (park IDs in server-rendered <noscript> links) + state waysides page; details from the compass feature_detail JSON API used by park.html
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology