NPS Photo / GM Spoto Welcome to Grand Portage National Monument! Where is the Monument? The whole park! The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorized the President to declare by public proclamation landmarks, structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest situated on lands owned or controlled by the government to be national monuments. A national monument is intended to preserve at least one nationally significant resource. Grand Portage National Monument marks the spot where, for millenia, travelers on the Great Lakes connected to the riverways of the continent. During the 18th century fur trade, a small settlement here gained an international reputation. The North West Company in particular transported furs and trade goods through this location, which was one of the largest commercial enterprises in North America at the time. The Historic Depot is open Memorial Day weekend through Indigenous People's Day in October. Visit any time of year to explore Heritage Center exhibits, trails, and events next to Lake Superior. This section provides important information for visiting the monument and region. For gas or diesel fuel, groceries, fishing and sporting supplies, stop at the Trading Post. 170 Mile Creek Road Grand Portage, MN 55605 Traveling northeast or southwest on MN Hwy 61 visitors will see signs alerting the approach to Grand Portage National Monument. A right turn exit lane or left turn from Hwy 61 at the Grand Portage Trading Post will take visitors onto Casino Road. Turn left at the first stop sign from Casino Road to Mile Creek Road. About 3/4 mile on Mile Creek Road, look for the large wooden entrance sign. Turn left up the short hill into the Heritage Center parking lot. Short, warm summers and long, cold winters define the climate of northern Minnesota. Average range of summer temperature is from 55°F to 78°F in July and average range of winter temperatures is from –11°F to 12°F in January. Average annual precipitation in Grand Portage, MN is about 32 inches. Entrance Fee-free This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required. Heritage CenterOpen year-round, the Grand Portage National Monument Heritage Center opened on August 10, 2007, with a commitment to honor the area's history, people, and culture. The Center houses exhibit galleries about Anishinaabe culture and the fur trade, a bookstore, and multi-media programs. Ask questions, plan your visit, stamp your passport, borrow snowshoes (in winter), and more at the front desk. The historic site is open Memorial Day weekend - Indigenous People's Day. Public WiFi is available.
Free public WiFi is available at Grand Portage National Monument Heritage Center. Currently, AT&T is the only reliable provider of cellular coverage within the Grand Portage community. Service is reliable in the Heritage Center but can be sporadic in backcountry locations. Grand Portage is in the Central Time Zone, and users of other providers such as Verizon may occasionally receive a signal coming out of Canada with phones reflecting the Eastern Time Zone.
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Last updated: April 15, 2025