Grand Portage State Park receives $1.1M Investment

The High Falls at Grand Portage State Park attracts visitors seeking Minnesota’s highest waterfall. Thanks to a $1.1 million investment from Get Out MORE part of the trail system is scheduled for significant upgrades.

Every year, approximately 150,000 visitors come to the park to view the Pigeon River falls. 

Construction crews will update the paved trail leading from the visitor’s center to the High Falls overlook. Originally built in 1994, crews will replace wooden stairs and boardwalks near the falls. Portions of the parking lot will be repaired. Improvements are expected to be completed by fall 2027.   

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has received $150 million through the Get Out MORE initiative. Officials then allocate these funds to improve and expand outdoor recreational opportunities across the state. Areas of investment include increasing access to public land, upgrading camping facilities, boat access, and other infrastructure. The DNR also uses the money to rehabilitate streams and improve fisheries.

The Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences), a state-funded program pledged the $1.1 million investment for the Grand Portage State Park project. 

The park lies within the Grand Portage Reservation, and the Band owns the land and oversees stewardship. They have a unique partnership with the state, with the DNR handling day-to-day operations. This is a day-use park only; no camping is available. Visiting the park is free.