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Grand Portage State Park

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Park Info:

Grand Portage State Park is located up on the border of Minnesota and Canada and is home to the tallest waterfall in the state (120 feet, y’all). The park is perfect for day trips and getting in some picnicking, hiking, and photography.

There is an abundance of wildlife due to the varied terrain (thanks, glaciers!). You will have the opportunity to see osprey, eagle, otter, beaver, moose, great-blue heron, white-tail deer, black bear, and other small animals known in the area. We saw a grouse doing it’s mating dance (thanks to the kind staff member who told us about the strange helicopter noise and what to look out for).

There is so much to see and learn about this amazing park, so please check out the website linked below and when you go, the park office, historic site, gift shop, and interpretive exhibit!

All of this info came from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website, so credit where credit is due. Click here to view the original source.

The paved trail leading to the waterfalls. There are trees on both sides of the trail.
Dark brown body of water at Grand Portage State Park. There yellowed grass and leafless trees around it.
Grouse in the trees at Grand Portage State Park.
Small waterfall visible through birch trees at Grand Portage State Park.
My hiking buddy walking up the boardwalk to the high falls.
Empty boardwalk with handrails leading to the high falls at Grand Portage State Park
Sign at the high falls that gives history. It answers the questions: Why is there waterfalls? How high are the waterfalls? and Where is Canada?
Lower falls at Grand Portage State Park. There is a rainbow arching in the bottom third of the photo
High Falls at Grand Portage State Park. There is a rainbow arching from one side to the other.

Accessiblity

  • Parking was in a paved lot with handicap accessible spots. There was ample parking for both autos and truck/trailers. From the parking lot, it is a short walk to the visitor center.
  • Bathrooms are located in the visitor center and have accessible options. There are also vault toilets on the trail we took.
  • Getting to the trail was easy, it’s paved and right along side the visitor center.

Trail info

My hiking buddy and I took the main trail to the high falls. It is paved, uneven in places, and has incline. There are some stairs to get up to the high falls, but there are landings between every set. If you can make it up a few stairs with a hand rail, to the viewing area, it is flat for those who have difficulty with climbing. Now, since it is a waterfall viewing area, the ground/decking is wet, so be mindful and hang on to the rail if you get off balance.

On my rating scale, this trail would be easy. While there was an incline and stairs, both were manageable and had plenty of resting points, which I took advantage of at the top. The gallery is just a few of the pictures I took and I absolutely love the rainbows.

Be safe out there! If you have stuff to say, comment below :) REMEMBER YOUR MAPS AND PASSPORT STAMPS!! Seeyalaterbye <3

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