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Sleepy
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05/31/2017 08:44AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Taking my wife and 4 kids (14, 11, 8, 8) to Lake Insula in early August. We have all been to the BW multiple times but never Lake Insula. Looking for advice on campsites. Kids are young and love to fish and swim. I hear lots of nice beaches on Insula. Any favorite campsites with beaches? I usually use Boundary Waters Journal to help plan trips but my issues don't go back to Winter 2007 when they last did Insula campsite reviews. Thanks everyone.
 
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cburton103
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05/31/2017 01:01PM  
I've base camped on Insula twice, 2010 and 2011. Both trips we were in the northern most bay of Insula on the island to the west of Williamson Island. We really like that site, but it doesn't have a beach. There's a five star site just to the west of the narrows that lead to the Kawishiwi River up to Kiana Lake with a small beach. The largest beach campsite to my knowledge is site 1334 which is to the southeast of Williamson Island on the eastern shore just as you are entering the northern most bay of Insula.

I'm sure you're aware, but a lot of the numbered lakes, Hudson and the southern part of Insula were burned in the Pigami Fire about five years ago. The northern part of Insula wasn't affected to my knowledge.
billconner
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05/31/2017 02:27PM  
What cburton said. Stayed at 1334 last summer. I think would be nice for you based your post. Long clean sandy beach and far enough into a bay or cove to avoid traffic. I can't personally say I've visited others but it seems a number of the sites in that area are rated highly.

Grandma L
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05/31/2017 03:19PM  
The east side of both Alice and Insula have great beaches. They are very popular and it might be hard to get one of them.
05/31/2017 05:52PM  
Last summer we wanted to plan a trip our young boys would enjoy since they tolerated going to the South Arm of Knife for the previous 4 years. We did just as you are looking to do and headed to Insula to find a place where they could swim and lounge on the beach. The stars aligned and we ended up staying on Williamson Island and took a trip to a different beach every day. There are several to choose from and I would venture to guess you'll be able to find at least one empty one.



This is the site previously mentioned south east of Williamson Island. It's just to the right as you enter the north section of the lake.

Have a great trip with the kids! I will cherish the time I spend with my kids up there forever.
 
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