Grand Portage National Monument

Andy Smith

2024-05

Grand Portage National Monument is a great place to visit and has a lot of history. I found the way they lived in the past fascinating. The site has a lot of info about Grand Portage in the past, including historical replicas of how the native Americans lived.If you do Isle Royale by boat, you should have enough time to visit here afterward. Definitely worth a visit.

Florida Guru

2023-08

Fun stop! Lots to see! They have the old trading fort at the bottom and up the hill is a visitor center with lots of interactive and educational opportunities. My favorite was the canoe making area, as the workers had so much information to share and were very passionate.

Erin Keeffer

2023-11

…More

Kaisha Theobald

2023-07

Worth the trip. Beautifully done. Shockingly free. Teenager-approved. Don’t miss the 20-minute film or the historic depot. We loved the freshly baking bread and authentically-built canoes. So cool to be immersed in a different time. The pier is lovely. Don’t walk your dog outside within the depot area - the crabby old DNR guy will judge you real hard for not realizing it wasn’t ok (for shame!). Our one tiny gripe was that we would have liked to learn more about how the portage was used prior to the fur trade period. Plan for 1.5-2 hours to really experience everything.

Dave Cecchi

2023-09

Here's the deal with Grand Portage National Monument - it's fun, educational and super super interesting! We spent an hour and a half and had wonderful conversations with the staff in the main hall, the kitchen and the visitor center. They were so friendly and knowledgeable it was great. We loved trying on the clothes, walking the grounds and learning about the annual rhythm of the operation. So many beavers what the heck how did they find that many?? A great stop.

Eddie Ozols

2023-10

…More

Scot Egg

2023-10

Historic Fur Trading Stockade. Well worth the free tour. Joint partnership with Native American Tribe & Park Service. Just north of Casino.

Brian Mitchell

2023-08

…More

Amanda B

2020-06

I had no idea what you expect here and I LOVED it!! So interesting and I learned a lot. The staff talks to you as if they're actually from that time. The displays are super interesting; I liked being able to see and touch items. Some of the property was under construction so I couldn't explore everything but I would definitely come back in the future. Gorgeous views too!!

torie quismundo

2023-06

…More

Philip R

2023-10

…More

Joceline Lopez

2022-06

Take a step back in time when you visit this place. We had a great time exploring and meeting the historical reenactors. We asked them a lot of questions and learnt so much about the history of this place.Definitely recommend stopping by the visitors center first and seeing the museum before heading to the historical villages they have set up.

Samantha Cummings

2020-06

Loved it!! The staff is very informative and dressed historically for the time fur trading was booming. We talked for quite a while with a gentleman about how beaver pelts were used as the currency, how beaver pelts were turned into hats, and how the Ojibwe tribe traded with settlers. Very very interesting history. There are hiking trails around the monument with overlooks to see Isle Royale as well and a dock into Lake Superior. Great place!

Holly Bodensteiner

2023-06

The visitor center was great and the staff were super knowledgeable and helpful. Loved the long walk out on the dock. Beautiful views of Lake Superior.

Michael B.

2023-07

…More

Laurie Clark

2023-09

…More

Dan Shields

2023-12

This was a fun experience for us and the kids (Early Oct.).Definitely a lot to learn and see. All the people at this location were dressed (I assume) in clothes that were appropriate for the time, and many of them were doing the tasks they would be doing at that time. The lady cooking was using pots, outdoor clay fire pit/stove, and indoor fireplace with iron pots while getting bread and I think chicken, ready for later that day. Of the few people we interacted with, they were extremely friendly, able to handle the onslaught of questions from my children, and even show and explain experiences from the time that we would not have thought to ask (like the chilling pit in the house to keep food cool or how much the boats could hold).Definitely would like to go back when the children are older so they could experience the wealth of knowledge again!

Bev Helsel

2018-06

Beautiful visitor center and rebuilt hub for fur trading back in the day. Awesome place! Could easily spend several hours or more here. The rangers dress in period costumes and reinact the events of that era. They are so excellent and knowledgeable! More than impressive!

Tanner Seymour

2023-06

Filled with rich historic items, working (and lit while we were there) fireplaces, and deeply passionate volunteers this surprised me as such a cool stop. Learn all about the fir trade, the Indigenous Americans that made it happen, and the crazy rowers that got canoes here before the winter froze the lake and dogsleds took over. Lots of buildings and Wigwams to walkthrough. Don’t forget to take the Rose Mountain trail on the way back for a spectacular view to wrap the whole experience up.

Stephen Balza

2023-06

Loved this place. Excellent visitor center with helpful staff and nice introductory movie. The National Monument and nearby state park are both within the Ojibwa tribal lands and the museum tells the story of the Ojibwa and the world trade that took place here in the late 18th century.Those who were doing the demonstrations were knowledgable and gave us a better understanding of what happened in this historic location.

Sean Gage

2021-06

I would definitely recommend this trail for hiking, but unfortunately when we went, the trail to Middle Falls was closed so it was a very quick trip. Beautiful landscape though and wasn't real busy.Also, make the time to check out the nearby National Monument at Grand Portage. The history of the old trading post is awesome.

marc

2023-06

Very interesting and informative. The staff was friendly and helpful, added a lot of insight to the history. We'll worth the visit.

Austin Henry

2023-07

…More

Katie Grimes

2019-06

Absolutely loved our experience here. We will definitely be back to walk the Portage. The video and village were very educational, fun and wonderfully cared for. We really enjoyed the Canoe Barn and Mary's presentation of Goods in the Great Hall. See you again!

Kali HP

2022-06

The visitor’s center had a beautiful view of Lake Superior, looking out towards Isle Royal. Inside the visitor’s center were interesting historical displays of fur trading days and the history of the area. The gift shop offered souvenirs. A short walk from the visitor’s center is the Northwest Trading Co. where you can step back into time and tour the Great Hall, Kitchen, Boathouse, Ojibwe village, and large dock. The docents were happy to share their knowledge of the Trading Co workings, culture, and history dressed in period costumes and acting as characters one might meet in the 1700s. It was truly worth seeing. My only regret is that I had not been to the site earlier. It would be fantastic to share with family and friends.

Jennifer Peery

2019-06

The people who work here are full of knowledge and taught us so much. It's amazing how much history we have right here in Minnesota. I highly recommend visiting this place. It was a wonderful, educational experience.

Amy Workman

2022-06

Really beautiful and informative site. Disappointed that everything outdoors and all of the historical buildings were closed (early October). You could walk around some, but all the signage was tarped up and the other half was gated off for the season. Could still go out on the dock which had some educational pieces. Will go back in summer hopefully soon.They had a fun Junior Ranger package and patch (no pin, totally ok, just fyi).

Sara Harriger

2021-06

What a fun step back in history! We doesn't realize it was a whole living village! So pleasantly surprised!!Only sad thing is we didn't get to take a ride in a birch-bark canoe or get to taste the Voyagers' Grog 😂 (I'm 100% kidding!).

Missie Jacobson

2023-06

Staff was extremely friendly we learned so much! I am so glad we made this stop. One 9f the highlights to our whole Northshore trip.

Heather Hyatt

2020-06

Such a nice historical place to visit. And it's free. Love the costumes and very informative volunteers. Love the history here. Did I mention it's free? If you're in the area and don't stop by I question your humanity.