Hey this will be and my other 5 friends 6th year going up to the boundary waters looking for new lakes and campsites to head to. I have a cabin in grand marais so we've only ever taken trips on lakes on gunflint trail so caribou eastbearskin ,alder , gaskin Just looking for some good entry points and good fishing /campsites not too far from grand marais 1 1/2 hr tops to get to the entry point going last week in may

consider entering from the arrowhead trail. Pine lake or John lake will both get you to different areas and new lakes you haven't seen. the Arrowhead Trail is just up hwy 61 from Grand Marais.

How about Sawbill?

I'm guessing you've been to Clearwater lake but if you haven't it's a must see in my opinion.

quote Nick phillips: "Hey this will be and my other 5 friends 6th year going up to the boundary waters looking for new lakes and campsites to head to. I have a cabin in grand marais so we've only ever taken trips on lakes on gunflint trail so caribou eastbearskin ,alder , gaskin Just looking for some good entry points and good fishing /campsites not too far from grand marais 1 1/2 hr tops to get to the entry point going last week in may "

You don't exactly say how long your trip will be, but you hint at a week. I will also assume that since you have 6 people, we are talking at least 2 vehicles.

The whole Sawbill area fits your criteria.

Kawishiwi Lake or Hog Creek are the furthest entry points at about 2 hours (according to Google Maps.)

Entry 36 - Hog Creek is out and back to Perent Lake.

Entry 37 - Kawishiwi Lake has a myriad of routes that lead to new lakes. One suggestion would be to leave a vehicle at Sawbill Lake and do the Lady Lakes Chain. Normally this would take about 3-4 days. Another route heads straight north through Polly, Malberg and Makwa to Little Sag. Come back to Sawbill through Mora, Hub, Mesaba, Zenith, Lujenida and Kelso. Or just head to Malberg and day-trip in any direction for new scenery.

Entry 38 - Sawbill Lake(about 1:21 according to Google Maps) - Head west through the Lady Lakes to Phoebe for basecamping and fishing. Head northwest through Kelso, Lujenida, and Zenith to Wine Lake. Head east or northeast to take the Cherokee Loop.

Entry 39 0- Baker Lake (about 1:11) Do the aforementioned Cherokee Loop. Do the Winchell Loop (Baker to South Temperance to Brule. North through the Cones to Winchell and Omega, west through Kiskadinna and Muskeg to Long Island Lake. South through Gordon and Cherokee then west to South Temperance and then south back to Baker Lake.

Have fun!