Grand Portage National Monument Minnesota

The Grand Portage Monument is a beautiful place to explore history and wildlife. Grand Portage, which is also referred to as the "Great Carrying Place" was the headquarters of a large company that transported furs around the world. The main feature of the monument is an 8.5 mile trail called the Grand Portage Trail that takes visitors on an adventure through the past, allowing the exploration of old buildings used by early traders. A second trail at the monument is called the Mount Rose Trail which is a shorter trail that ascends 300 feet to the hill's summit. At the monument, history and a beautiful terrain come together delighting the visitors who come. The monument is located seven miles south of the Canadian border in Minnesota, and situated along the northwest portion of Lake Superior. Grand Portage National Monument covers 710 acres of land and is composed of woodlands that are found along the banks of the lake and the Pigeon River. Visitors attend the monument for its hiking trails, historic buildings, and a breezy summer ferry ride to the Isle Royale National Park.

There are a variety of outdoor activities that can be done at the monument. Most visitors attend for educational reasons and to get informed about the nation's history. On the Grand Portage Trail, visitors learn that it was once used by voyageurs to carry two 90-pound packs between Lake Superior and Fort Charlotte. Visitors get a first-hand view of the trail that was taken and a glimpse into the life of a trader. The voyageurs were fur traders who contributed to the United States by fueling the economy, many of the voyageurs died collapsing along portages, drowning, or falling victim to disease. Different written accounts as well as archeological excavations provide the information and reconstructions needed to determine what happened during that period of time. Not only do visitors attend Grand Portage to learn about the trading system in more primitive times but they can also participate in hiking, camping, and even cross-country skiing.

The historic buildings at the monument are open seasonally from mid-May to October. Some of the historic buildings include a Great Hall, Fur Press, Palisade, Lookout Tower, and a Canoe Warehouse. The Great Hall was where the traders came to gather and talk business with the Native Americans in the area. During the evenings it was where the voyageurs dined. Food was prepared in a kitchen located directly behind the Great Hall. The Palisade was constructed for supplying goods and storing extensive inventories. The Palisades were used to avoid attacks on the products that were being imported and exported. A favorite historical building for visitors to the Grand Portage is the Lookout Tower. Visitors are allowed to climb the tower and see the spectacular view of Lake Superior and all the surrounding grounds. Finally, the Canoe Warehouse was used to provide storage space, but now exhibits historic items like antique canoes. Other areas of the monument are open all year.