Grand Portage State Park

A neighbor of ours recommended that we head to Grand Portage State Park to see the waterfalls while visiting the Lutsen, Minnesota area.

Grand Portage State Park is literally feet from the Canadian border. We could have gotten out of the car at the visitor center and walked across the border — that’s how close it was.

We were not disappointed in deciding to drive further north to see the waterfalls. They are beautiful.

The welcome center is very well maintained and once you enter the front doors, you simply walk across the hall to the other side and there are doors that take you to the trail that leads you to the waterfalls.

Grand Portage State Park Welcome Center Sign
Grand Portage State Park Welcome Center Sign
Grand Portage State Park Welcome Center
Grand Portage State Park Welcome Center

The half mile trail is handicapped accessible — that is truly amazing!

Trail to High Falls, Pigeon River
Trail to High Falls, Pigeon River

There are a few benches for resting along the way although the trail is not strenuous.

Trail to High Falls, Pigeon River
Trail to High Falls, Pigeon River
Trail to High Falls, Pigeon River
Trail to High Falls, Pigeon River

What’s this? Yup. A snake. Anyone know what kind it is? After encountering this one, my senses were a keenly more alert of my surroundings.

Snake
Snake

And we finally arrived. The falls are estimated to be 100-130 feet high. Approximately 3200 gallons of water per second come down these falls.

High Falls, Grand Portage State Park
High Falls, Grand Portage State Park

Looking across the river, you see Canada.

Grand Portage State Park, Canada View
Grand Portage State Park, Canada View

This is the Pigeon River — where the falls go when they “fall” …

Pigeon River
Pigeon River

And I was treated to a most beautiful sight! A rainbow. So calming.

High Falls Rainbow, Grand Portage State Park
High Falls Rainbow, Grand Portage State Park
High Falls Rainbow, Grand Portage State Park
High Falls Rainbow, Grand Portage State Park

Nothing else could compete with the rainbow for beauty on this day. A beautiful end to a beautiful day.

I was tempted to head into Canada to a town called Thunder Bay but that would have made for a really long day so we headed back to Lutsen.

Click here for more information High Falls on the Minnesota Department of Resources website.

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