Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota   Grand Portage National Monument is a good location of normal rainfall; the month of September is the wettest with most of the rain, and the driest of the months is February. Grand Portage National Monument is a picturesque spot that is popular with people from near and far. Here at Grand Portage National Monument there are plenty of folks from Grand Portage; possibly you're looking for close by lakes? Sure, Cuffs Lake is just a very short distance away. Lakes are great; Taylor Lake is a lake that's in the neighborhood of Grand Portage National Monument,     and if you've had enough of Grand Portage National Monument, Center Lake is close by. If you want a delightful time in the great outdoors, just come on down to Grand Portage National Monument. Mount Maud is painless to spot from Grand Portage National Monument; you're probably addicted to lakes, Dutchman Lake is one of those nearby. Fun pastimes are abundant; there's always something to gratify everybody. Grand Portage National Monument is a popular destination for the residents of Grand Portage. Get yourself into a kayak and hit Pigeon River, and not far from Grand Portage National Monument you'll hit upon Speckled Trout Lake which is a pretty lake. Summertime brings highs in the 70's to Grand Portage National Monument with night lows in the 50's. High temperatures all through the winter are normally in the 20's while       and if you've had enough of Grand Portage National Monument, Center Lake is close by. If you want a delightful time in the great outdoors, just come on down to Grand Portage National Monument. Mount Maud is painless to spot from Grand Portage National Monument; you're probably National Monument has glorious outdoors recreation that you could employ. Grand Portage National Monument was established to commemorate and preserve a premier site and route of the 18th century fur trade that led to pioneering international commerce and exploration in North America, as well as cultural contact between Ojibwe and other Native societies and the North West Company partners, clerks and canoe-men. The monument was also established to work with the Grand Portage Band of Minnesota Chippewa in preserving and interpreting the heritage   and lifeways of the Ojibwe people. Grand Portage National Monument is of international and regional significance because it was the central hub of a once flourishing fur trade. Here the bold economic strategy and exploration by the North West Company voyageurs and traders opened up a transcontinental trade route. Grand Portage was and remains a meeting ground of diverse cultures. The site is home ground for contemporary Grand Portage Ojibwe. Grand Portage National Monument contains the archeological remains of several fur trading posts instrumental in the exploration of the West and the economic history of the United States and Canada. The national monument contains the entire length of the portage that marked the entrance into the interior of western Canada. Grand Portage National Monument contains a reconstructed stockade, a great hall, a kitchen and a warehouse. It is home place of tribal and family history and cultural persistence.    CONTACTS Email - GRPO_Superintendent@nps.gov Fax- 218-387-2790 Write to Headquarters: P.O. Box 668, 315 So. Broadway Grand Marais, MN 55604-0668 - or - Historic Site: P.O. Box 426, 211 Mile Creek Road Grand Portage, MN 55605 Phone Headquarters - 218-387-2788 TRAVEL BASICS Getting There PLANE - Minneapolis-Saint Paul International airport is a major U. S. hub for passengers flying to the Midwest. Connecting flights can be accessed from Minneapolis to Duluth, Minnesota or Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. To reach Grand Portage, Minnesota, private ground transportation is recommmended either by private or rental vehicle. CAR - The monument is located in northeastern Minnesota’s “Tip of the Arrowhead” within Grand Portage Indian Reservation Cook County, Minnesota. Grand Portage National Monument is about 150 miles northeast of Duluth, Minnesota and 50 miles southwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada along the beautiful north shore of Lake Superior. The historic site is ? to 1 mile south of the west and east exits from Minnesota State Highway 61 in the village of Grand Portage. The monument address is: P.O. Box 426, 211 Mile Creek Road, Grand Portage, Minnesota 55605 BUS - Bus transportation is available from the cities of Duluth, Minnesota and Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. For further information about bus schedules please contact Grand Portage Lodge and Casino at 218-475-2401. Weather & Climate Weather conditions change frequently, due to the site’s location on the north shore of Lake Superior. Cool onshore lake breezes are common in spring, summer and fall along with an occasional shower. Summer inland temperatures can reach into the 80’s and 90’s but are usually 10 to 15 degrees cooler by Lake Superior. Winter weather can be very cold and windy, with consecutive days of sub-zero temperatures, followed by calm sunny moderate temperatures in the 20’s and 30’s. Accessibility Access from the parking lot to the reconstructed great hall and kitchen is possible via an identified access route and ramp. The bookstore, interpretive exhibits, hands-on displays, video programs and ranger conducted interpretive activities that are offered in these buildings are accessible. The canoe warehouse has an accessible ramp, but it is not connected to an identified accessible pathway. Interpretive exhibits, displays and programs presented inside are accessible. Restrooms are partially accessible but are not connected to an identified accessible pathway. Wheelchair users may require assitance to reach the restrooms and canoe warehouse. Park staff is available to assist visitors. The ranger station, adjacent to the parking lot, has an accessible ramp. The parking lot has two identified, van-accessible parking spaces with a “safety zone.” Two wheelchairs are available free of charge to use during your visit. Wheelchairs are located in the ranger station 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 contact the monument’s Accessibility Coordinator or the Chief Interpreter. Getting Around Pedestrian paths lead visitors to the reconstructed structures and satellite facilities. Picnic tables are available by crossing a foot bridge at the mouth of Grand Portage Creek or driving east on County Road 17 across the Works Progress Administration (WPA) stone bridge and parking along a gravel road adjacent to the lakeside picnic grounds. The Mount Rose Trail is a paved pedestrian path with spectacular views to Grand Portage Bay and Isle Royale National Park. The Grand Portage footpath can be accessed at three main points: across from the vehicle parking lot at the fort, off Minnesota State Highway 61 and up County Road 17 to Old Highway 61 where a small parking area bisects the portage (see map). The site of Fort Charlotte, with two backcountry campsites, may be accessed by hiking the Grand Portage. Fort Charlotte may also be reached by canoe or kayak via Boundary Waters Canoe Area through South Fowl Lake,Fowl Portage and about eight miles down the Pigeon River. FEES/PERMITS Entrance Fee FAMILY $6.00 for Day INDIVIDUAL $3.00 for Day Waiver of entrance fees may be granted to bonafide educational groups. To obtain further information and request a waiver, please contact the monument superintendent. CAMPING Fort Charlotte Open All Year Camping is permitted in the monument at Fort Charlotte located by the Pigeon River. Fort Charlotte can be reached by hiking eight and one-half miles from the historic stockade along the Grand Portage or four miles from the crossing at Old Highway 61(monument map viewable in 'inDepth'). Located at Fort Charlotte are two primitive campsites. Each can accomodate up to 10 campers and has a picnic table and fire ring. A pit toilet is located between the campsites. Water from the Pigeon River or Snow Creek is not potable; it should be treated with a purifier, filtered or boiled for at least five minutes. Pet owners are responsible for keeping their pets under control. Leave No Trace practices suggest that parties pack out all their own garbage and even add an extra item or so. For campfires, please use only dead and down wood not live trees. Leave Fort Charlotte better for, future visitors, than you found it ! There is no charge for backcountry camping, but a Backcountry Camping Permit is required. These can be obtained and completed at three self-registration boxes located along the Grand Portage. Park staff may also issue permits at the ranger station during normal operating hours. There are no other camping areas in the monument. For More Information on this campground please call 218-387-2788 LODGING No in-park lodging is available. For more information see 'inDEPTH.' FACILITIES Museums GRAND PORTAGE NATIONAL MONUMENT HISTORIC SITE Phone - 218-475-2202 Location - Northeastern Minnesota’s “Tip of the Arrowhead” within Grand Portage Indian Reservation, Grand Portage village, Cook County, Minnesota. Grand Portage National Monument is about 150 miles northeast of Duluth, Minnesota and 50 miles southwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada along the beautiful north shore of Lake Superior ? to 1 mile south of Minnesota State Highway 61. The monument address is: P.O. Box 426, 211 Mile Creek Road, Grand Portage, Minnesota 55605 Special Programs - The annual Grand Portage Rendezvous Days and Pow-Wow occurs the second full weekend of August every year. The Rendezvous at Grand Portage National Monument is presented for the purpose of re-creating and interpreting the annual fur trade rendezvous held during the 1700s and early 1800s. Monument staff and many volunteers present an historic encampment, demonstrations and competitive activities of skill and strength. This event is designed to improve public appreciation and understanding of important events at Grand Portage that influenced the history and exploration of North America. The “Winter Frolic” showcases winter life at the Northwest Company depot with many hands-on activities for all ages. Snowshoeing, historic sled-dog demonstrations, horse drawn sleigh rides and the popular snow snake toss are just a few of the events one can participate in. Come warm yourself by the fire with a hot beverage and see what the monument has to offer! Exhibits - Great Hall: In the Grand Room of the Great Hall, place settings are arranged for voyageur guides, interpreters, clerks, wintering partners and agents of the Northwest Company. Four corner rooms are utilized for a furnished partner’s bedroom, Grand Portage Ojibwe cultural center, video presentations and a book sales outlet for our cooperating association, Eastern National Parks and Monuments. At a trade table, visitors have the opportunity to handle beaver, muskrat, fox, timber wolf and bison furs and common European trade items such as flintlock muskets, tobacco, woolen cloth and fire steels. Available Facilities - palisade, main gatehouse, Great Hall, Kitchen, Canoe Warehouse, Ojibwe Village, Voyageur Encampment, historic gardens, fur press exhibit, dock (Isle Royale passenger ferry), restrooms, picnic area, ranger station office, Mount Rose Trail, the Grand Portage, Fort Charlotte site and campground User input for Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota: Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Review Guidelines   Current weather conditions at Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota Local climate location: GRAND MARAIS 39 miles away Find a Business in or near Grand Portage National Monument Business TypeOR Business Name   Coordinates: Latitude: 47.96 Longitude: -89.76 Minnesota Public Lands Complete list of all Public Lands in Minnesota Outdoors Recreation Near Houghton, Michigan Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Houghton, Michigan, the metro area neareast to Grand Portage National Monument. 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Minnesota Outdoors Index Campgrounds Near or in Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota Paddling Rivers Near or in Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota Other National Parks Near Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota Trails Near or in Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota Hotels Near or in Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota Lakes Near or in Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota Beaches Near or in Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota Golf Courses Near or in Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota Ski Areas Near or in Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota     Best Western Superior Inn & Suites, Grand Marais 40.6 miles away East Bay Suites, Grand Marais 40.8 miles away Super 8 Grand Marais, Grand Marais 42.3 miles away * Distances listed are direct linear distances, actual travel distance may be different.