Boundary Waters

[EMPshockwave82]

Going with 2-4 people to camp / canoe / fish through the boundary waters. For those of you that don't know where the heck that is, it's basically International Falls, MN. I was wondering if anyone had any tips for us as far as companies to go with for outfitting.

We have tents and sleeping bags already and none of us are strangers to camping by any means. (And I don't mean that we go to some powered site with a grill setup)


We know the normal stuff that we'll need. Just asking if anyone has any recommendations for canoe rental and other stuff like that.

Edit:
Going to be 5 days, 4 nights.

Edit2:

Went with Sawbill Canoe Outfitters. 4 days, 3 nights. Kawishiwi Lake is our launch point and we already have the permits (but we got the last one for the launch date). Our travel date is June 10th and it's 22 miles with quite a few portages. Thanks to those who put in some info to help us out.

 

[waffleironhead]

Are you planning on just putting into a lake, or are you wanting to portage? Time frame?
?

 

[EMPshockwave82]

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
Are you planning on just putting into a lake, or are you wanting to portage? Time frame?
?

Good questions.. Sorry for leaving the time frame out.

Going to be 5 days, 4 nights.

Portage or just launch doesn't matter either way.

 

[DrPizza]

Here's an alternative idea to renting canoes: check on craigslist for canoes for sale. Pick up a couple canoes, then either keep them, or resell them. You apparently have to act fast on any ads for canoes. We just put ours on my wife's bulletin board at work. Calls & emails galore the first evening. Sold it right off the bat.

 

[feralkid]

Good outfitters in both Ely and Grand Marais. Sorry, can't recall specific names at the moment.



Get your entry permit, several weeks before your trip.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Outside of just canoe rental, there are a few things that are special for Minnesota. Even in the middle of summer, it can get very cold overnight in northern Minnesota. Even in July and August, I can remember nights where I could see my breath. So plan for that, just in case. I'm sure you already are, but I just wanted to give you fair warning.

Also, our mosquitoes have a reputation that they've earned. 100% deet bug juice is very helpful, as is mosquito netting. I used to have a hat with a little mosquito net stowed in it. Very handy.

You're probably aware of the importance of this but make sure to keep your feet dry. When you're canoeing it's easy to get them wet. I got foot rot two years in a row and it sucked. Either use heavy-duty sandals or take your hiking boots off between portages.

It's been a few years but I've had some great times in the Boundary Waters and I'd love to go back sometime.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Steel wool makes good kindling when the tinder's wet and you can use it to scrub your pots. I spent a lot of time in the BWCA. Paydays were the snack of choice and back then we made kool-aide with lake water. Wear hats or scarves to protect from heat stroke during the day and if you wear shorts or cutoffs, throw a towel over your legs while canoeing.

 

[Joemonkey]

Buddy of mine has gone many many times for about a week at a time, i msg'd him to see if he has any advice and if so will pass it along

 

[EMPshockwave82]

Originally posted by: Joemonkey
Buddy of mine has gone many many times for about a week at a time, i msg'd him to see if he has any advice and if so will pass it along

Thanks!

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
Outside of just canoe rental, there are a few things that are special for Minnesota. Even in the middle of summer, it can get very cold overnight in northern Minnesota. Even in July and August, I can remember nights where I could see my breath. So plan for that, just in case. I'm sure you already are, but I just wanted to give you fair warning.

Also, our mosquitoes have a reputation that they've earned. 100% deet bug juice is very helpful, as is mosquito netting. I used to have a hat with a little mosquito net stowed in it. Very handy.

You're probably aware of the importance of this but make sure to keep your feet dry. When you're canoeing it's easy to get them wet. I got foot rot two years in a row and it sucked. Either use heavy-duty sandals or take your hiking boots off between portages.

It's been a few years but I've had some great times in the Boundary Waters and I'd love to go back sometime.

We planned on bringing warm stuff and 2 of us have good rain suits just in case of that.

Good bug repellent, check.

Have good sandals. Jungle rot would suck.

Originally posted by: feralkid
Good outfitters in both Ely and Grand Marais. Sorry, can't recall specific names at the moment.

Get your entry permit, several weeks before your trip.

Any reason to get the permit several weeks in advance? We figured 2-3 weeks would be plenty and we are starting on a Wednesday to reduce some of the traffic.

 

[EMPshockwave82]

Went with Sawbill Canoe Outfitters. 4 days, 3 nights. Kawishiwi Lake is our launch point and we already have the permits (but we got the last one for the launch date). Our travel date is June 10th and it's 22 miles with quite a few portages. Thanks to those who put in some info to help us out.

 

[dirtboy]

As a Boy Scout I went through the boundary waters up into Canada a few times. The US side sucks IMHO.

 

[buck]

I went backpacking deep into the wilderness on the other side of that lake. Was one of the best times of my life. Enjoy!

 

[KillerCharlie]

I'd love to go to the BWCA. In my opinion it's the least developed place in the continental US.
My parents live pretty far north so I've been there several times, but I've never gone an a canoe trip there. I don't know if I could deal with mosquitoes that long. If you go take lots of pictures.