The summer months are the popular time to go, especially the back half of August. The water is warm enough to swim in and the weather gets up into the 70s and 80s. The main downside to canoeing in the summer months, however, is that mosquitoes and biting flies can put a huge damper on your trip. Bugs peak in mid-June and while the black flies last a week or two, the mosquitos stick around all summer. People share horror stories about the mosquitos, but truthfully they\u2019re not much different than anywhere else in the Midwest. <\/p>\n
Visiting during the spring is constrained to the month of May since the lake ice usually doesn\u2019t melt until then. It\u2019s a great month for fishing, solitude, and returning animals and birds, but it can be cold \u2014 lows are typically in the 40s.<\/p>\n
Fall is one of the best times to visit the BWCA. There are fewer or no bugs, the crowds are basically gone, the fish are returning to the shallow water, and the fall colors are changing. Camping from mid-September to mid-October is the best time to visit if you want to catch the fall foliage as the aspen, birch, and maples leaves begin turning red, orange, and yellow. Make sure to check out these fall camping tips<\/a> if you plan to visit during this season.<\/p>\n No matter what time of year you visit, it\u2019s important to be prepared for cold temperatures, rainy weather, or submerged and wet gear. Always pack extra warm layers and don\u2019t use cotton.<\/p>\n There are two main BWCA entry points to start your trip: Ely<\/strong> and the Gunflint Trail<\/strong>. In general, the Ely area is quite wooded and has old-growth tree stands you can camp near. Visitors starting in the Gunflint area are likely to see the effects of fires and blowdowns, but while some forests in this area seem more sparse, there\u2019s a more remote, rugged quality to this terrain.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve done a handful of canoe trips out of Ely, but I prefer the Gunflint area for starting a trip because you immediately enter into wilderness with a rugged character.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve never been to the Boundary Waters before, it\u2019s possible you\u2019ve never had to portage a canoe before. Simply put, a portage is when you pick your canoe up and move it overland from one lake to another. The BWCA has over 1,000 lakes connected by portage paths of varying lengths \u2014 the shorter and fewer of them on your route, the easier it will be. <\/p>\n Portages are typically measured in rods, which is 16.5 feet long, roughly the length of your canoe. Portaging a canoe isn\u2019t as hard as it seems and it\u2019s actually easy to pick up and carry a canoe by yourself. It has more to do with skill than strength \u2014 forget the methods that have you quickly lift the canoe overhead like a powerlifter. Simply follow this method for picking up and carrying the canoe<\/a>. I\u2019ve seen retired folks do this in the BWCA with no problem at all.<\/p>\n My favorite BWCA route is starting off at the Gunflint Trail at Saganaga Lake and canoeing to Red Rock Lake, Alpine Lake, and Sea Gull Lake to loop back to the start.<\/strong><\/p>\n There are lots of different route options, though, and you can\u2019t go wrong using the Trip Planner<\/a> from the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness (more on them later) to cater the route to your trip. You can choose different routes depending on your timeframe, how many portages you\u2019d like to take, how long you want to paddle each day, and your current skill level.<\/p>\n While some people bring their own canoes to the BWCA, there are plenty of Boundary Waters canoe rental outfitters in both Ely and the Gunflint Trail. Not only are they inexpensive, but the guides here are a wealth of knowledge for planning your trip, asking questions, and getting some great beta on the best swimming spots and fishing holes. I\u2019ve had great experiences with Voyageur Canoe Outfitters<\/a>.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that the BWCA is a very large wilderness area, and with so many lakes and islands, you could spend a lifetime exploring different routes. No matter if you choose Ely or Gunflint as your Boundary Waters entry point, you\u2019re going to have a blast.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve decided on where you want to start your trip, you\u2019ll have to secure a BWCA permit. Permits are required for overnight trips from May 1 to September 30<\/strong>. Walk-up permits are available the day of and the day before your trip, but their availability is not guaranteed. Keep in mind you don\u2019t need to know exactly how many days or how many people are in your party to reserve a permit.<\/p>\n One Boundary Waters permit allows a group of up to 9 people and 4 watercraft to enter the wilderness<\/strong>. You can\u2019t exceed the group limit at any time on water or land. Fees are $16 per adult per trip ($8 per kid per trip), and there\u2019s also a non-refundable $6 reservation fee.<\/p>\n If you plan on fishing, obtain your fishing license before your trip either online or at any gas station\/bait shop across the state. If you\u2019re a Minnesota resident, an annual fishing license is $25 or $14 for 72 hours. If you\u2019re a non-resident, it\u2019s $51 annually, $43 for 7 days, or $36 for 72 hours.<\/p>\n The reservation system for Boundary Waters permits opens up at 9 a.m. CT on the last Wednesday of January every year on the <\/strong>BWCA recreation.gov website<\/strong>. <\/a>If you plan on canoeing outside of the May-September season, you do not need a permit. BWCA canoe rental businesses can also provide permits.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need to pick up your permits in person at either a Superior National Forest district office or a BWCA outfitter in order to complete the mandatory Leave No Trace<\/a> & Tread Lightly education session. This is a relatively short video\/Q&A session that ensures visitors understand how to minimize their impact in the backcountry and stay safe in the remote wilderness.<\/p>\n While you don\u2019t need a permit to bring a dog into the BWCA, you should bring a current rabies certificate and rabies tag on their collar. Dogs are welcome in the wilderness if they have good voice control, don\u2019t bark or chase wild animals, have experience in a canoe, and are not left unattended<\/strong>. Always be prepared to clean up after your dog.<\/p>\n Boundary Waters campsites are spread throughout the wilderness area and tend to be on wooded shorelines. It\u2019s pretty obvious where most of them are, and they are clearly labeled on BWCA maps. An easy way to tell if a campsite is occupied or not is to look for canoes on the campground shoreline. You can only camp at existing campgrounds in the BWCA and the campgrounds are first-come, first-serve<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a good idea to break camp early and snag the campsite you\u2019d like by early afternoon so you get the one you want. I once slept in and paddled during the afternoon instead and found every campsite was already taken at the lake I had planned to stay on. That meant a much longer day of paddling for me since I had no choice but to canoe on to the next lake and find the next empty campground.<\/p>\n My main consideration when choosing a campground is the view. Do you want to be on a peninsula surrounded by water, in a thickly wooded area, or do you want to make sure you have a great view of the sunset? Take your priorities into account when choosing your spot.<\/p>\n One of the best parts about canoe camping is that you only have to lug your gear on portages.<\/p>\n You can read our 3-day backpacking checklist<\/a> to get a general idea of what you\u2019ll need. It goes without saying that the Boundary Waters is a remote area; be sure to pack warm clothing and rain gear so you can stay safe in the event of storms, submerged and wet packs, or days or rainy weather.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll want good footwear for the Boundary Waters that can deal with water and rugged portages. I recommend water sandals whenever you\u2019re in the canoe or getting in and out. Check our review of the Teva Universal Trail Sandal<\/a>. These would be a great choice for a BWCA trip.<\/p>\n For portages, you\u2019ll want hiking shoes or boots<\/a> that have a closed-toe and closed-heel. These will keep your feet and ankles protected while carrying heavy packs and the canoe. Portages in the BWCA are filled with rocks, tree roots, and slippery mud so plan accordingly.<\/p>\n While you can technically use a backpacking pack<\/a> to carry your gear, using canoe packs from Duluth Pack, Frost River, or Granite Gear has its perks \u2014 it\u2019s also what you\u2019ll get from your outfitter if you rent a canoe. You can also invest in a few lightweight dry bags to keep your items dry and separated, like these Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sacks<\/a>.<\/p>\n For a cheaper option, simply line your pack with a garbage bag and arrange your gear inside.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need a compass, map, and map case (outfitters will provide these) for a Boundary Waters canoe trip. Fisher Maps<\/strong>, McKenzie<\/strong>, and Voyageur <\/strong>make the best BWCA maps or National Geographic also makes a detailed BWCA Map Pack<\/a>. There\u2019s little to no cell service in the BWCA, so don\u2019t rely on your phone for navigation and pack or rent a satellite communication device<\/a> for safety.<\/p>\n To navigate the Boundary Waters, your best bet is to orient yourself using portages, campgrounds, and prominent features of the shoreline like points, islands, bays, etc. It\u2019s normal \u2014 and a right of passage \u2014 to get pretty confused about exactly where you are since the lakes and islands can make it seem like a maze. Don\u2019t worry, it\u2019s rare for visitors to actually get lost!<\/p>\n Aluminum canoes are heavier to carry on portages, but they\u2019ve got one big benefit: they\u2019re bombproof. No need to worry about scraping a rock in these! Kevlar canoes are more fragile and require extra effort when using them, but they\u2019re much lighter to use while paddling and portaging.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also need a fair amount of gear for your canoe (outfitters will provide all of this): paddles, life jackets<\/a>, duct tape, sponge and bailer, and cords to tie in your packs. If you\u2019re planning to fish, bring a pole and tackle box. And don\u2019t forget a swimsuit!<\/p>\n I prefer wearing a rashguard over sunscreen these days. I own the Cruz in 2 colors and it\u2019s a staple for any water activity because it dries quickly but also keeps you cool, plus the cut is flattering.<\/p>\n Shop at:<\/strong><\/p>\n Backcountry<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n These shorts are super comfortable, dry really quickly, and come in a bunch of colors and prints. I wear them on all water adventures!<\/p>\n Shop at:<\/strong><\/p>\n Sandals that stay on your feet and can get wet are essential. I like these because they have good grip and can be worn hiking as well, plus they can easily be strapped to your boat when not in use.<\/p>\n Shop at:<\/strong><\/p>\n Backcountry<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/div>\n You\u2019ll want a wide-brim hat that can get wet and has a chin strap so it stays on in the wind. This Outdoor Research hat is quick-drying, will float if it falls in the water, and comes in a variety of colors.<\/p>\n Shop at:<\/strong><\/p>\n Backcountry<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/div>\n Polarized glasses are best for the reflection of the water. I like to wear budget-friendly sunglasses paddling and I always wear a retainer<\/a> so I don\u2019t lose them in the water.<\/p>\n Shop at:<\/strong><\/p>\n Backcountry<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/div>\n If it\u2019s chilly or windy it can be helpful to have a lightweight rain jacket or windbreaker out on the water with you. I usually pack a jacket like this just in case!<\/p>\n Shop at:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a><\/div>\n You\u2019ll want a comfortable swimsuit that you can be active in. I like to avoid swimsuits that pull on my neck (like halters) and have been loving Nani Swimwear lately.<\/p>\n Shop at:<\/strong><\/p>\n There are bears that live in the BWCA, but they rarely bother people. Most visitors opt to hang their food from a tree instead of bringing a bear canister. To hang your food bag, find a tree limb about 15-20 feet off the ground. Attach a heavy item to the end of your rope and throw it over the branch so that the rope is 4 feet away from the trunk. Now attach your bear sack<\/a> to the rope, pulley your bag into the air, and tie off your rope. With a little searching, you can usually find a popular tree limb that\u2019s used near each campground.<\/p>\n Luckily, obtaining water in the Boundary Waters is much easier than most backpacking trips. While old-timers may still drink straight from the lake, it\u2019s safer if you boil or filter the water. Simply paddle out away from your campsite and fill your containers from the lake, then purify or boil the water before using. While I used to drink straight from the lake, it\u2019s not worth risking a Giardia infection.<\/p>\n The Platypus GravityWorks filter system<\/a> is simple to use without needing to pump it. I\u2019ve also used a Katadyn Hiker Microfilter<\/a> in the BWCA, too, which I like because you can filter water straight into your water bottle while you\u2019re canoeing.<\/p>\n I recommend filling and treating a 1- to 3-gallon water container when you arrive at your campsite to use for dinner, breakfast, and filling smaller 1-liter Nalgenes<\/a> for the next day\u2019s paddle.<\/p>\n BWCA campgrounds have a fire pit area that can be used for cooking as long as there isn\u2019t a fire ban in the area. The fires must be small and be put out completely when you\u2019re not in camp. Firewood is available from the surrounding forest, but remember to only take dead and downed wood \u2014 live wood doesn\u2019t burn well, anyway. If there is a fire ban, bring a camp stove for your cooking.<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to get sunburned on a Boundary Waters canoe trip. Not only are you spending a lot of time out under the sun, but it\u2019s also reflecting upward from your canoe and the water, too! Use sunscreen<\/a>, a sun hat<\/a>, and consider UPF clothing to keep the sun at bay.<\/p>\n The BWCA is a unique, special place. But that doesn\u2019t mean it always will be. Consider supporting the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness to ensure this national treasure stays protected. Proposed copper-sulfide mines like Twin Metals risk contaminating and permanently polluting the Boundary Waters. <\/p>\n Learn more about threats to the BWCA and how you can help protect it by supporting Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Taking a canoe trip through Minnesota\u2019s Boundary Waters is a trip unlike any other, and thanks to its massive size and undeveloped character, it\u2019s a wilderness you can return to again and again for new adventures. Whether you\u2019re a seasoned paddler or new to canoe camping, the BWCA will not disappoint!<\/p>\n Have you done a Boundary Waters canoe trip or are you planning one? What questions do you still have? Let us know in the comments!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The post How to Plan a Boundary Waters Canoe Trip in Minnesota<\/a> appeared first on Bearfoot Theory<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Planning a Boundary Waters canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) involves navigating a labyrinth of over 1,000 lakes and islands. Located on the Minnesota\/Canada border, I\u2019ve made countless trips to the BWCA ever since I was a kid and it always delivers when I want a quiet week filled with great…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":527,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=525"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":535,"href":"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525\/revisions\/535"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Start](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Best-BWCA-Campsite-West-side-of-Sea-Gull-Lake-near-Alpine-Lake-Gunflint-Area-Kvam-1024x768-1.jpg\")
Planning Your BWCA Route<\/h2>\n
BWCA entry points<\/h3>\n
BWCA Portages<\/h3>\n
![\"Start](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Boundary-Waters-Canoe-Portage-1024x682-1.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\nBoundary Waters Route Options<\/h3>\n
Boundary Waters canoe rentals & Outfitters<\/h3>\n
![\"Start](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Voyageur-Canoe-Outfitters-Gunflint-Area-Kvam-1024x768-1.jpg\")
BWCA Permits<\/h2>\n
![\"Start](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/BWCA-Campsite-Canoes-at-West-side-of-Sea-Gull-Lake_Isak-Kvam.jpg-1024x768-1.jpg\")
Boundary Waters Campsites<\/h2>\n
![\"BWCA](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Minnesota_Boundary-Waters-44-Gear-Campsite-1024x683-1.jpg\")
Boundary Waters Canoe Trip Gear<\/h2>\n
Shoes for the BWCA<\/h3>\n
Dry Bags and Canoe Packs<\/h3>\n
Navigating the Boundary Waters<\/h3>\n
Water Gear & Equipment<\/h3>\n
Clothing<\/h3>\n
Essential Clothing for Paddling<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Carve](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Carve-Designs-Cruz-Rashguard-Womens.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nCarve Designs Cruz Rashguard<\/h4>\n
![\"Nani](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Nani-Swimwear-Hybrid-Explorer-Shorts-1024x773-1.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNani Swimwear Hybrid Explorer Shorts<\/h4>\n
![\"Teva](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Teva-Universal-Sandals_1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nTeva Universal Trail Sandals<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Outdoor-Research-Sunbriolet-hat.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nOutdoor Research Sunbriolet Hat<\/h4>\n
![\"Goodr](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Goodr-Sunglasses.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nGoodr Polarized Sunglasses<\/h4>\n
![\"REI](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/REi-Rainier-Rain-Jacket.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nREI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket<\/h4>\n
![\"Nani](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Nani-Swimwear-Cut-Back-Crop-Swimsuit-Top-246x300-1.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSupportive Swimsuit or Sports Bra<\/h4>\n
![\"Start](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Saganaga-Lake-Near-Cooper-Island-Gunflint-Area-Kvam-1024x768-1.jpg\")
Bear bags<\/h3>\n
Water Filtration<\/h3>\n
Fire, Camp Stoves, and Cooking Gear<\/h3>\n
Sun Protection<\/h3>\n
![\"Start](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Minnesota_Boundary-Waters-89-kristen-ryan-canoe-1024x768-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nHelp Protect the Boundary Waters<\/h2>\n
![\"Start](\"http:\/\/www.gtaweddingguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Minnesota_Boundary-Waters-5-Canoe-1024x683-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n