Explore Grand Portage State Park

The High Falls of the Pigeon River at Grand Portage State Park in Grand Portage, Minnesota is gorgeous way to end a drive up the North Shore. It can also be a great stop before you head into Canada and grab lunch in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The site doubles as a 24/7 rest stop, so the falls are always open.

From the parking lot, a .5 mile hike on a wheelchair accessible paved trail and boardwalk will lead you to what is arguably the best view in Minnesota. At 120 feet, it is the highest waterfall in the state. The water flows through the Pigeon River Gorge and just downstream is a calmer section of the Pigeon River, which separates the U.S. - Canada border. From there, the river flows underneath a bridge that crosses the border and out to Lake Superior.

There is another stop before the boardwalk to the falls that gives an up close view of the gorge and calm section of the river. The park has a little over 5 miles of hiking trails. The majority is on the Middle Falls Trail, which at the time of my visit, was closed.

Overall, the park is a beautiful and can't - miss stop on the North Shore.