Grand Portage National Monument

Grand Portage National Monument This is the official page of Grand Portage National Monument in Grand Portage, Minnesota. The Heritage Center is open year round.
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Grand Portage National Monument commemorates the cross cultural interaction and exchange among Ojibwe people and early Europeans that influenced the 18th-century exploration of the northwest and the expansion of the Great Lakes fur trade industry. The National Park Service works collaboratively with the Grand Portage Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa to interpret and support the heritage and life

ways of the Ojibwe people and to preserve the premier sites, route, and unique historic values of the Grand Portage trail. As early as 2,000 years ago, indigenous groups used Gitchi Onigamiing “the Great Carrying Place” (Grand Portage) to travel from seasonal homes around Lake Superior to regions of better hunting, fishing, and trapping in the protected interior forests. Opened in 1951 as Grand Portage National Historic Site, designated a National Monument in 1958, its nearly 710 acres lie entirely within the boundaries of reservation of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The Historic site consists of three reconstructed North West Company buildings on their original locations and an Ojibwe Village exhibit. The Historic site is open seasonally from Memorial Day in May to Indigenous Peoples' Day in October. The Heritage Center offers interactive exhibits, educational videos, artifacts, and a gift shop.

Grand Portage National Monument, in partnership with the Grand Marais Art Colony and the National Parks of Lake Superior...
06/12/2026

Grand Portage National Monument, in partnership with the Grand Marais Art Colony and the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation, is thrilled to announce our inaugural Artist in Residence, Sofia Vanderlan!

From a strong pool of applicants, a juried panel selected Sofia for her powerful vision and deep connection to this place.

She shared, “I hope to create a piece that braids the seven generations before us, the seven grandfather teachings, and the seven generations after us — a piece that represents the history of Grand Portage National Monument and what it represents to the community and Anishinaabe people.”

Congratulations, Sofia!

Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup Success! Grand Portage National Monument conducted its Adopt-a-Highway cleanup on May 20, 2026. ...
06/08/2026

Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup Success!

Grand Portage National Monument conducted its Adopt-a-Highway cleanup on May 20, 2026.

Miigwech (Thank you) to everyone who joined in to help. Your efforts support a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming environment for the community and all who visit Grand Portage.

The Heritage Center will undergo a roof replacement from June 15 to June 20, 2026. The facility will remain open during ...
06/01/2026

The Heritage Center will undergo a roof replacement from June 15 to June 20, 2026. The facility will remain open during this period; however, visitors may experience construction activity, elevated noise levels, and restricted access to certain areas.

We appreciate your cooperation as we complete this essential improvement to ensure the safety and maintenance of the building. Thank you for your understanding.

Welcome to the Great Grand Portage Tour! Today’s Stop: The Three Sisters Garden.The Three Sisters garden bed, located ou...
05/22/2026

Welcome to the Great Grand Portage Tour! Today’s Stop: The Three Sisters Garden.

The Three Sisters garden bed, located outside the palisade by the Ojibwe Village, shows a traditional Native American style of planting. The Three Sisters – corn, beans, and squash – are grown together in a field.

The Three Sisters balance and nourish each other. Corn is planted in hills and feeds heavily on the soil. Beans send their runners up the corn stalks and add nitrogen to the soil. Squash is planted at the ends of corn fields and also between corn plots in a field. Squash sends its long, prickly runners through the small rows discouraging both small animals and weeds as well as helping to hold moisture in the ground.

The Three Sisters Garden at Grand Portage also hosts sunflowers to distract birds and provide another food source. In 2024, the garden also successfully grew asemaa (to***co).

Explore more Places to Go at Grand Portage National Monument online at: https://www.nps.gov/grpo/planyourvisit/places-to-go.htm

[NPS Photo/ A Hernandez]

05/13/2026

The UMD Traveling Planetarium Is Coming to Grand Portage!

Join us for an out of this world experience as the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Traveling Planetarium visits Grand Portage! Step inside this immersive dome theater and explore the wonders of our night sky—from constellations to deep space objects and everything in between.

Date: Saturday, May 16th
Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Grand Portage Lodge Event Center

As part of the park’s ongoing commitment to dark sky awareness and preservation, this event highlights the importance of protecting our natural night skies and inspiring the next generation of sky watchers.

This free, family friendly program is offered in collaboration with the Grand Portage Lodge and Grand Portage National Monument. All ages are welcome—bring your curiosity and enjoy an unforgettable journey through the cosmos!

[NPS Photo/ S. Veit]

Mark Your Calendars!The Historic Depot opens Saturday, May 23rd, 2026. Heritage Center hours are 9:00 am–5:00 pm daily, ...
05/12/2026

Mark Your Calendars!

The Historic Depot opens Saturday, May 23rd, 2026. Heritage Center hours are 9:00 am–5:00 pm daily, while the Historic Depot is open 9:30 am–4:30 pm seven days a week through October 12.

Our staff and volunteers look forward to welcoming you!

For more information, please see our press release: https://www.nps.gov/grpo/learn/news/grpo-summer-hours-2026.htm

[NPS Photo/ A.Hernandez]

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Grand Portage National Monument Artist-in-Residence Program!In partnership ...
04/28/2026

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Grand Portage National Monument Artist-in-Residence Program!

In partnership with the Grand Marais Art Colony and the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation, this new program invites artists to immerse themselves in the natural beauty, cultural history, and living stories of Gichi-Onigaming / Grand Portage.

Selected artists will have the opportunity to engage with the Monument’s deep cultural and historical significance, and create work inspired by this remarkable place.

First residency is: August 31 – September 12, 2026!
Application deadline: May 22, 2026
Application and further details can be found at: https://grandmaraisartcolony.slideroom.com/ #/login/program/88751

Miigwech (Thank you) to Eastern National!We are deeply honored to receive the 2025 Charles S. Marshall Unit Award. This ...
04/27/2026

Miigwech (Thank you) to Eastern National!

We are deeply honored to receive the 2025 Charles S. Marshall Unit Award. This recognition reflects the dedication and collaborative spirit of our staff, partners, and community. We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who helps preserve and share the stories, language, and cultural heritage of Gichi Onigaming (Grand Portage). Your continued support means so much and is truly appreciated.

For more information, please see our press release: https://www.nps.gov/grpo/learn/news/grpo-national-award-partnership-interpretation.htm

[NPS Photos/ A.Dean]

Miigwech to Our Local Schools!A heartfelt miigwech (thank you) to Great Expectations Charter School, Cook County ISD 166...
04/24/2026

Miigwech to Our Local Schools!

A heartfelt miigwech (thank you) to Great Expectations Charter School, Cook County ISD 166, and Oshki Ogimaag Charter School for welcoming us to share the Every Kid Outdoors program with your 4th grade students!

We're also grateful to Cook County ISD 166 for inviting us to participate in your annual Career Fair—an incredible opportunity to meet local students and encourage the next generation of public land caretakers.

Your partnership strengthens our shared commitment to connecting youth with their public lands, and we’re honored to support that journey.

April 19th - 25th is National Volunteer Week!We are truly grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers!A...
04/20/2026

April 19th - 25th is National Volunteer Week!

We are truly grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers!

At Grand Portage National Monument, volunteers make it possible for us to offer the welcoming, high‑quality visitor experience we strive for every day. Through the Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program, participants help commemorate, preserve, and share the rich stories of Grand Portage—past and present.

Volunteers work side‑by‑side with our ranger staff and are an essential part of our interpretive team. If you’re interested in joining us, we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to the park’s Volunteer Program Manager at (218) 475-0123 or explore our opportunities at Volunteer.gov.

[NPS Photos/ A.Nyiri and A.Hernandez]

Address

170 Mile Creek Road
Grand Portage, MN
55605

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12184750123

Alerts

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