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Grand Portage Transfer Station is the small transfer station on Highway 61 that locals use to drop off household trash and recycling before it gets compacted and trucked out. Neighbors and seasonal residents swing by when a trip to a distant landfill would take too long. The place feels like a working yard rather than a sightseeing stop.
Drive up to a clearly visible entrance off MN‑61 and you'll see an attendant booth and a scale where vehicles pause for weighing. Vehicles pull up, check in at the booth, then follow signs to the drop-off pits and recycling bins; trailers and pickups are common sights. The site is mostly industrial - concrete bays, compactors, and large roll-off containers - and in winter people bundle up because Minnesota cold can make the short walk between vehicle and drop-off unpleasant. Expect some lineups on weekends or during seasonal cleanups, and plan for staff direction at the point of drop-off.
Facility Information
Before You Go
- Bring material sorted by type and have rear access cleared so unloading is quicker; small loads move through faster than a stuffed pickup bed.
- Keep a tarp or straps handy to secure loose items before arrival so debris doesn't blow out while waiting in line.
- Dress for the weather and plan extra time for weekends or spring cleanup days when traffic can back up; high winds and cold are common in winter.
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