We may earn commissions if you shop through the links below. Grand Portage National Monument in Grand Portage, Minn. marks the lower terminus of the 8-mile Grand Portage used by fur-trading voyagers to transport trade goods and furs from the Pigeon River to Lake Superior. The current fort is a reconstruction of the original fort. Inside the stockade, there’s a display of paddles built by Walter Caribou, a Ojibwe, who lived in Grand Portage. Caribou was known as a great storyteller and a good paddle maker. In the above picture, the paddles from the left going clockwise are labeled: Ladies Paddle Middleman Paddle Francis Anne Hopkins painting “Canoe Shooting Rapids” paddle. U.S.A. Paddle “Rendezvous Awards” Paddle Ladies Paddle. Cribbage board “Distressed” paddle U.S.A. Voyageurs Paddle Wild Ricing Sticks Crossed “gift” paddles In addition to the great paddles on display, the fort is full of birchbark canoes. At points, someone may even be building one. Historic reenactors and park service interpretors tell the history of the fur trade and give a glimpse into the romanticized lifestyle — it wasn’t a picnic. The second weekend of every August Grand Portage hosts Rendezvous Days and Pow Wow celebration. During the event, reenactors set up a large voyager village and live as the voyagers would have during the fur trade. The Grand Portage tribe puts on the Pow Wow. If you love canoes and the fur trade culture, then it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event and great place to visit. Did I mention the best fry bread ever. Loads of pictures below.