Hike Grand Portage Trails

Hike like a voyageur!

NPS photo / S. Layton

Temporary Trailhead for the Grand Portage Trail

Please note: the Depot trailhead for the Grand Portage trail is temporarily moved to the Fire Hall on Store road (see map below) until mid-October.

Flooding at the Poplar Creek Crossing on the Grand Portage Trail

Increased rain and beaver dam activity this year flooded the Poplar Creek Crossing along the Grand Portage Trail. Please exercise caution as you pass through the water. (see map below)

Hiking at the Monument

Grand Portage National Monument offers two trails:
the one mile round trip trail to the top of Mount Rose and the 17 mile round trip Grand Portage. Hikers may camp at Fort Charlotte on the Pigeon River by obtaining a free backcountry permit. Fort Charlotte is the only place within Grand Portage National Monument where camping is allowed.

Bicycles are prohibited on the trails at Grand Portage National Monument.

Trail Safety

• Wear sturdy foot wear
• Carry water
• Pack rain gear and/or warm clothing, dress in layers and long sleeves/pants for bug and sun protection
• Remember insect repellent, sunscreen, and a first aid kit
• Know the difficulty level of the trail and your physical abilities and limitations

Leave No Trace!

• Stay on the trail
• Carry out all trash
• Leave what you find
• No fires except in designated fire rings at Fort Charlotte
• Please do not feed or disturb wildlife

Pets

• Pets must be restrained on a leash no longer than 6 feet (1.8 m). Pets are not allowed inside buildings or the stockade of the historic depot. There are trails around the perimeter of the stockade allowing a bypass.

Details

Activity

Hiking

Pets Allowed

Yes with Restrictions

Leashed pets are allowed on trails and not allowed inside the historic depot or inside the Heritage Center. Service animals are allowed in all areas of Grand Portage National Monument.

Activity Fee

No

Grand Portage National Monument is a fee free area.

Location

Trailheads near the North West Company Depot

Both the Mount Rose and Grand Portage trailheads are located across Mile Creek Road from the historic North West Company Depot.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

The trails are open year round. Snowshoes are recommended for Mount Rose during winter. Snowshoes or skis are recommended for the Grand Portage when there is significant snow on the trail.

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

Trails at Grand Portage National Monument are steep and narrow in places with uneven, rocky footing and areas of standing water. They are not wheelchair accessible.

A temporary trailhead is at the Fire Hall on Store Road.

NPS Graphic / B. Clayton

Temporary Grand Portage Trailhead

Construction/road realignment on Mile Creek Road scheduled to begin May 28, 2024, closed the Grand Portage Trailhead at the Historic Depot near Lake Superior.

Find additional alternative text describing this map below.

Additional Map Alternative Text

Map detail of the Grand Portage Trail near Lake Superior, showing the temporary trailhead. North is indicated by an arrow in the lower left corner of the map. Beginning at the Heritage Center at the bottom and moving north on the map, Mile Creek Road and the NW Co. post, Fire Hall, and Store Road are labeled in yellow. A scale of 1000 feet is along the bottom right. A legend lists the following:

• The temporary trailhead is marked by a hiker symbol in a white circle at the Fire Hall along Store Road.
• Grand Portage Trail is a yellow line.
• A section of closed trail indicated by an orange line. 
• The temporary trail spur from the main trail to the temporary trailhead is marked by a dashed line.
• The Stone Bridge and New Bridge on the road realignment are marked by light-colored rectangles.
• Proposed road construction is outlined.
• A parking icon indicates a parking lot at the Heritage Center. No parking is labeled at the Fire Hall.

Flooding on the Grand Portage Trail at Poplar Creek.

Increased rain and beaver dam activity this year flooded the Poplar Creek Crossing along the Grand Portage Trail. Please use caution as you pass through the water. Park staff is in the process of determining a drier route.

Additional Alternative Text for the Poplar Creek Crossing Map

Map detail of the Grand Portage Trail, showing the location of the Poplar Creek Crossing. North is indicated by an arrow in the lower right corner of the map, next to a scale of 2000 feet.

• The Crossing is marked by a hiker symbol in a white.
• Grand Portage Trail is a white dashed line from the upper left to lower right.
• Old Highway 61 is a solid white line from left to top center, the parking area marked by a car symbol in a white circle

Creeks are blue lines:

• North Fork Poplar Creek is a wavy line from left to right across the center of the map.
• Poplar Creek is from the bottom left to center right.