Major city · United States
Grand Portage
Half a day for the National Monument and Pigeon River Falls, or a full day if you add the Isle Royale ferry. Not a base: pass through or sleep one night.
Grand Portage is a small Ojibwe reservation on Lake Superior's North Shore, 35 miles northeast of Grand Marais. Its draw is the Grand Portage National Monument, a reconstructed fur-trade fort and the 8.5-mile portage trail, plus Pigeon River Falls in the state park. Most visitors stop for a few hours en route to Thunder Bay or catch the ferry to Isle Royale.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (most attractions closed or limited)
- Airports
- DLH · YQT
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Grand Portage911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Grand Portage, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDLH Duluth International Airport (About 2.5 h drive south on MN-61).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealDinner at the Lodge restaurant$18–30
- Budget bedMotel in Grand Marais, a night, per roomUS$100
- Mid-range bedGrand Portage Lodge room, a night, per roomUS$160
- High-end bedGrand Portage Lodge room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$140 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DLH Duluth International Airport (About 2.5 h drive south on MN-61) · YQT Thunder Bay International Airport (About 45 min drive north, across the Canadian border)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Feb
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Mar
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Apr
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
May
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Dec
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Grand Portage: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
8 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
6 rd
Mar
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
7 rd
Apr
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Nov
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
8 rd
Dec
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. MN-61 runs through town. The National Monument visitor centre and the state park are a short drive apart.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Isle Royale National Park
goDoor to door: Full day (ferry departs morning, returns late afternoon)
Ferry from Grand Portage, about 1.5 h each way
Mid-Jun to mid-Sep only; round-trip about $45 (check). Bring food and water.
Thunder Bay
goDoor to door: About 1 h including border crossing
MN-61 north, about 45 min
Passport required. Visit the Terry Fox Memorial and Kakabeka Falls.
Grand Marais
goDoor to door: About 40 min
MN-61 south, about 35 min
Cafés, galleries and the Sivertson Gallery; good lunch stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Grand Portage Lodge & Casino
The only lodging in town; rooms, a restaurant and a casino. Book ahead in summer.
Grand Marais
35 min south; more motels, B&Bs and campgrounds.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Grand Portage Lodge room1 × 1 night × US$160 | US$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140 | US$280 |
| Isle Royale ferry round-trip2 × US$45 · check | US$90 |
| National Monument entry (free)2 × US$0 | US$0 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$53 |
| Trip total≈ US$292 per person per day, bed included | US$583 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Lunch at the Lodge restaurant | $12–18 |
| Dinner at the Lodge restaurant | $18–30 |
| Gas (per gallon)check | $3.50–4.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Isle Royale ferry runs only mid-June through mid-September; book ahead.
- Pigeon River Falls is in Minnesota, not Ontario; no passport needed for the state park.
- Cell service can be patchy; download maps offline.
- Bring bug spray: black flies and mosquitoes are heavy in June and July.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Grand PortageGrand Portage
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Isle Royale ferry round-trip: about $45, mid-Jun to mid-Sep (check)
- Taxi from Grand Portage to Grand Marais: about $60–80 (check)
Say or show
- Boozhoo — Hello (boo-zho)
- Miigwech — Thank you (mee-gwetch)
Ojibwe phrases are common on the reservation; English is universally spoken.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Grand Portage. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (most attractions closed or limited) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages with verified hours: Grand Portage National Monument, Pigeon River Falls, Isle Royale ferry schedule.
- Eat pages with last orders at the Lodge restaurant and nearby Grand Marais options.
- Border-crossing fixture: passport required, Nexus lane, wait times.
Sources
Ask about Grand Portage
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